Dubuque, IA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Dubuque City Code § 7-6D-1 defines a "dangerous animal" as any species not naturally tame or gentle that is capable of killing or seriously injuring people or domestic animals, and it names thirteen groups as dangerous per se: big cats such as lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, cougars, lynx and bobcats; wolves, coyotes and foxes; badgers, wolverines, weasels, skunks and mink; raccoons; bears; apes, baboons, macaques, monkeys and chimpanzees; alligators and crocodiles; scorpions; several families of venomous or constricting snakes including cobras, mambas, rattlesnakes and pythons; venomous reptiles generally; Gila monsters; opossums; and any crossbreed sharing those characteristics.

Section 7-6D-3 makes it unlawful to keep, shelter or harbor any of them anywhere in the City of Dubuque. Section 7-6D-4 carves out narrow exceptions for public zoos, accredited educational or medical institutions, museums, a bona fide traveling circus licensed to perform in the City, a licensed veterinary hospital treating the animal, a wildlife rescue organization holding an Iowa DNR or Iowa Conservation Commission permit, and a commercial pet shop licensed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture that posts the required warning notice citing § 7-6D-3.

Where none of those exceptions apply, § 7-6D-5 requires any dangerous animal that is lawfully kept to stay confined in a Health Services Officer-approved cage or enclosure, bars it from public property and business establishments, and requires the keeper to report a missing animal to the City Manager or Police Department. If an unauthorized dangerous animal is found, the City Manager can order it removed from Dubuque, placed with an approved organization, or destroyed within three days, with seizure and a seven-day impoundment period available under § 7-6D-7 if the order goes unheeded.