Massachusetts bans keeping most wild and exotic animals without a state license. Under MGL c.131 §23, propagating or maintaining wild mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians requires a state permit. No Hampshire County town can license these on its own.
Exotic and wild animals are controlled by the state, not any county. MGL c.131 §23 makes it unlawful to propagate, maintain, or deal in fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, or amphibians without first obtaining a propagator's or dealer's license from the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. The state separately keeps a list of animals that may be held without a license, mostly common domestic pets; anything off that list, from a fox to a large constrictor, needs a permit that is rarely granted for private pets. This binds residents of Northampton, Amherst, Ware, and every other town equally.
Keeping a wild or exotic animal without the required state license under MGL c.131 §23 is unlawful, and the animal can be seized by the state environmental police. Towns refer such cases to the state.
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See how Hampshire County's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
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