Franklin County, KY Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Franklin County Code Chapter 90, Exotic Wildlife subchapter, was enacted by the Fiscal Court in 2000 and the species list in § 90.21 was amended by Ord. 7-2024. It applies in the county outside Frankfort. Section 90.21(A) says that, except as § 90.22 allows, a person shall not import or possess a list of 32 numbered entries. The list includes suricate or meerkat, flying fox or fruit bat, wild rabbits, hares and pikas, nutria, monk or Quaker parakeet, mute swan, giant or cane toad, African clawed frog, foxes, prairie dog, Gambian giant pouched rat, and members of Suidae (pigs or hogs, except domestic swine). Section 90.21(B) separately prohibits possession or importation of 24 dangerous exotic species, among them lions, jaguars, leopards and tigers, cheetah, elephants, rhinoceroses, nonhuman primates, crocodiles, alligators and caimans, venomous exotic snakes except hognose snakes, Gila monsters, bears, wolves or wolf hybrids of over 25% wolf, cougar, lynx, and hybrids of any listed species.

Section 90.20 defines dangerous species as those, except bees, capable of producing and transmitting poisonous venom through biting or stinging. Exceptions are narrow. Under § 90.22 the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Commissioner can allow possession of the § 90.21 species for legitimate scientific or educational purposes by a zoo that is a member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association or is designated as the official zoo of a municipality, a government agency, a college or university, or a similar educational or research institution. Section 90.23 lets a licensed veterinary hospital, a federally licensed educational or medical institution, a museum, or a circus, carnival or other entertainment event keep such animals, provided a proper bond or insurance is posted. The County Judge/Executive determines and approves the type and amount, and temporary authority cannot exceed 14 days.

Enforcement belongs to the Sheriff. Under § 90.24, on a written complaint the Sheriff investigates and, if a violation is found, delivers written notice to remove the animal from the county within 72 hours. No notice is required if the animal has caused physical injury to a person or has escaped, and the Sheriff can seize and impound it immediately. Under § 90.25 the owner pays reasonable seizure and confinement costs, collected by the County Attorney, in addition to any fine.