Greenburgh, NY Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Adopted May 22, 2002 by Local Law No. 1-2002, Chapter 345 (Exotic and Wild Animals) responds to Town Board findings that displaying wild animals for entertainment endangers both the public and the animals themselves, citing documented cases of animals escaping exhibitions and attacking people. Section 345-2 makes it unlawful for a person to "conduct or operate a display of wild or exotic animals" or "conduct or operate a rodeo" on any property in which the Town of Greenburgh has a property interest, meaning Town parks, Town Hall grounds and other municipally owned or leased land, not private residences.

Section 345-5 defines "wild or exotic animal" to include nonhuman primates and prosimians, non-domesticated felids, wolves and wolf hybrids, bears, elephants, marine animals, crocodilians, marsupials, snakes and reptiles, ungulates, hyenas, mustelids, procyonids, anteaters, viverrids, camels and cetaceans, plus hybrids of these species with domestic animals. "Display" reaches exhibitions, circuses, public shows, trade shows, photo opportunities, carnivals, rides, parades, races and performances. Section 345-4 exempts displays sponsored by the Greenburgh Nature Center, displays sponsored by institutions accredited by the American Zoological Association or the Association of Sanctuaries, and any display of one or more domesticated species such as cats, dogs, horses, cows, sheep or llamas, so long as it is not a fight or rodeo.

The chapter took effect July 1, 2002 under Section 345-7. Because the ban runs to property in which the Town holds an interest, it functions as a restriction on circuses, traveling animal shows and rodeos rather than a general prohibition on keeping an exotic pet inside a private Greenburgh home.