Bowling Green, KY Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Bowling Green Code of Ordinances Section 5-1.16 defines an 'exotic or wild animal' as any animal identified by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the United States Department of Agriculture, or the Kentucky Revised Statutes as exotic or inherently dangerous to human health and safety. It is a violation of city ordinance for anyone to own, harbor, or keep an exotic or wild animal inside the city without (a) obtaining a permit from the State Department of Fish and Wildlife where required by statute, AND (b) obtaining written permission from the City of Bowling Green Neighborhood and Community Services Department. The City Animal Control Officer may only authorize written permission if the facility is adequate for the animal, the animal is or will be properly restrained, and the animal will not constitute a threat to public health or safety. Any exotic or wild animal kept in violation of Section 5-1.16 shall be impounded by the Animal Control Officer. At the state level, KRS 65.877 authorizes counties and cities to regulate or prohibit the holding of wildlife identified by KDFWR as inherently dangerous to human health and safety; 301 KAR 2:082 lists those prohibited species, including African buffalo, hippopotamus, all hyenas (except aardwolves), Old World badger, lions, jaguars, leopards, snow leopards, cheetahs, cougars, tigers, mountain lions, all bears, all elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, baboons, mandrills/drills, gibbons, Komodo dragons, certain venomous reptiles, crocodiles, alligators, and Burmese pythons (over 12 ft). These species may not be acquired as personal pets in Kentucky. KDFWR also restricts native and nonnative wildlife under 301 KAR 2:081 (native) and 301 KAR 2:082 (exotic). Conduct nuisance/sanitation violations are also enforceable under the general provisions of Chapter V.