Minnesota Statutes 346.155 ban private ownership of regulated exotic animals such as big cats, bears, and most primates. Hennepin County cities add their own restrictions on venomous reptiles, large constrictors, and farm animals in residential zones.
Under Minn. Stat. 346.155, Minnesota prohibits private ownership of dangerous regulated animals including lions, tigers, bears, cheetahs, wolves, and most non-human primates, with limited grandfather protections registered before 2005. Hennepin County cities such as Minneapolis, Bloomington, and Plymouth add bans on venomous snakes, large constrictors over a set length, alligators, and farm animals in residential zones. Hennepin County Public Health and HCSO assist with enforcement and seizures, and the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory often supports rescue and identification of trafficked exotics.
Possession of a regulated dangerous animal is a gross misdemeanor under MN Stat. 346.155 with fines up to 3,000 dollars per animal and possible seizure. City exotic-pet bans add separate misdemeanor or administrative fines.
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See how Hennepin County's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
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