Elizabeth, NJ Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

290, titled "Dangerous animals, control required," makes it unlawful to permit any dangerous animal or vicious animal of any kind to run at large within the city. The same section separately addresses wild animals through the common-law term "ferae naturae," animals wild by nature as opposed to domesticated ones: exhibitions or parades of ferae naturae animals may be conducted only after securing a permit from the chief of police. The code does not list which species qualify, relying instead on the established legal meaning of ferae naturae, which covers animals such as big cats, bears, primates, venomous reptiles and other species not naturally tame.

Beyond the exhibition permit, Elizabeth's animal chapter gives officers real enforcement teeth. 320 authorizes members of the police department or the dog warden's personnel to kill a dangerous animal of any kind when necessary to protect a person or property, again without limiting that authority to any particular species. 330 adds that a diseased domestic animal cannot be allowed to run at large or be exposed anywhere the health of a person or another animal could be affected, and any removal of a diseased animal must happen under the supervision of the chief of police or the dog warden, except where the State Veterinarian is empowered to act instead.