Indiana bars keeping many wild and exotic animals without a state permit. Under Indiana Code 14-22-26 and DNR rule 312 IAC 9-11, possessing a protected or dangerous wild animal needs a DNR permit. No Elkhart County community can authorize these.
Exotic and wild animals in Elkhart County are controlled by the state, not the county or a city. Indiana Code 14-22-26 authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to require a permit to possess a wild animal protected by law or one that may be harmful or dangerous to people, and DNR rule 312 IAC 9-11 sets the classes of animals and permit conditions. Large cats, bears, wolves, and venomous reptiles fall under this and require a DNR possession permit, rarely granted to private hobbyists. Common domestic pets are exempt. This binds every Elkhart County resident equally.
Possessing a protected or dangerous wild animal without the required DNR permit is unlawful, and the animal can be seized by conservation officers. Cities and the county refer these cases to the state.
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See how Elkhart County's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
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