Mississippi Code §49-8-5 prohibits private possession of inherently dangerous wild animals statewide — including big cats, bears, wolves, primates, and crocodilians — without a Class I or Class II permit from MDWFP. Rankin County enforces state law and has no additional permitting program.
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) administers the state's inherently dangerous wild animal law under MS Code §49-8-1 et seq. Prohibited species in private possession without a Class I permit include all big cats (lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars), bears, wolves and wolf hybrids over 25% wolf content, elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, Old World primates (baboons, chimpanzees, gorillas), and crocodilians over 6 feet. Venomous snakes require registration. Class I permits are limited to accredited zoos, sanctuaries, and educational institutions. Private pet ownership of these species is categorically prohibited. Exotic pets allowed without permit include small parrots, ferrets (legal in MS unlike some states), hedgehogs, sugar gliders, common reptiles (corn snakes, bearded dragons), and domestic rodents. Rankin County has no additional exotic pet ordinance layered on state law, and relies on MDWFP conservation officers plus Rankin County Animal Control for enforcement.
Possession without permit: animal confiscation by MDWFP, misdemeanor charge, fines up to $2,000 per animal, up to 6 months jail per MS §49-8-7. Escaped dangerous animal causing injury: felony liability possible, strict civil liability.
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