Fall River, MA Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- General rule
- No wild animals w/o ACO conditions
- Exhibitors allowed
- Circuses, zoos, schools only
- Escaped animal
- May be destroyed by ACO/police
- Transport fine
- At least $50 (§6-19B)
Summary
Fall River bars keeping any wild animal, reptile, or snake within city limits except under conditions set by the animal control officer, and exhibitors like circuses and zoos need those same approved conditions.
No wild animal, reptile or snake, imported or indigenous, may be kept within the City limits, except under such conditions as shall be fixed by the animal control officer. Wild animals may be kept for exhibition purposes by circuses, zoos, and educational institutions, in accordance with such regulations as shall be established by the animal control officer. Any wild animal which escapes and is found at large within the limits of the City of Fall River may be destroyed by the animal control officer or any police officer.
B. Any person who carries, leads or causes a wild animal, reptile or snake to be conveyed over a public way, unless properly secured in some covered vehicle or cage, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $50. Any such animal, reptile or snake which is found upon a public way not so secured may be destroyed by the animal control officer or any police officer.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4739915; v14 updated 2025-12-23; through 12-23-2025).
Full Breakdown
Fall River treats wild animals as presumptively prohibited: § 6-19 bars keeping any wild animal, reptile, or snake, imported or native, within city limits unless the animal control officer sets conditions allowing it. Circuses, zoos, and educational institutions may keep wild animals for exhibition only under ACO-established regulations. Transporting one over a public way requires a covered vehicle or cage, on pain of a fine starting at $50. An escaped wild animal found at large, or an improperly secured one on a public way, may be destroyed by the animal control officer or a police officer.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a wild animal, reptile, or snake without ACO-approved conditions violates § 6-19(A); an escaped or improperly transported animal may be destroyed by the animal control officer or police, and transport violations carry a fine starting at $50.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep an exotic snake as a pet in Fall River?
What happens if a pet wild animal escapes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fall River
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