Janesville, WI Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Ban scope
- Wild, exotic and vicious animals as pets
- Named prohibited examples
- Venomous snakes, monkeys, big cats, crocodilians
- Excluded animals
- Guard dogs, ferrets, captive-bred rabbits/lab rats
- First offense forfeiture
- $30.00-$500.00 (§ 8-48)
- City remedy
- Injunction or abatement available
Summary
In the City of Janesville, Code § 8-47 bars anyone from keeping a wild, exotic or vicious animal as a pet, naming venomous and constricting snakes, tarantulas, monkeys, raccoons, skunks, wolves, foxes, big cats and crocodilians. Guard dogs, ferrets, nonvenomous snakes and captive-bred rabbits and lab rats are excluded from the ban.
(a)No person shall keep, or permit to be kept, any wild, exotic or vicious animal as a pet.(b)The term "vicious animal" means any animal, reptile, and/or fish, that constitutes a physical threat to human beings or other animals.(c)The terms "wild animals" and "exotic animals" mean any venomous snake, constricting snake, tarantula, live monkey (nonhuman primate), raccoon, skunk, wolf, squirrel, fox, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx or other warm-blooded animal which can normally be found in the wild state, any member of the crocodilian family, including, but not limited to, alligators, crocodiles, caymans and gavials.(d)Guard dogs, ferrets, nonvenomous snakes, non-constricting snakes, rabbits and laboratory rats which have been bred in captivity and which have never known the wild shall be excluded from this section.
Full Breakdown
Section 8-47(b) defines a "vicious animal" broadly as any animal, reptile or fish that constitutes a physical threat to human beings or other animals. Section 8-47(c) then defines "wild animals" and "exotic animals" by a specific list: venomous snakes, constricting snakes, tarantulas, live monkeys (nonhuman primates), raccoons, skunks, wolves, squirrels, foxes, leopards, panthers, tigers, lions, lynx, any other warm-blooded animal normally found in the wild, and any member of the crocodilian family such as alligators, crocodiles, caymans and gavials. Section 8-47(d) carves out guard dogs, ferrets, nonvenomous and non-constricting snakes, and rabbits and laboratory rats that were bred in captivity and have never known the wild, meaning those animals are not treated as prohibited pets under this section. The ban sits in Chapter 8's dangerous-animal article, so enforcement follows the same penalty and abatement tools used for vicious and dangerous dogs in that article.
Violations & Fines
Section 8-48 sets a forfeiture of $30.00 to $500.00 for a first offense, $50.00 to $500.00 for a second, $70.00 to $500.00 for a third, and $100.00 to $500.00 for a fourth or later offense, with up to 60 days' imprisonment if unpaid. Each occurrence and each day of continuance is a separate violation, and the City can also seek injunctive relief, abatement or mandamus to remove the animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet raccoon or skunk in Janesville?
Are all snakes banned as pets under Janesville's exotic-animal rule?
What is the penalty for keeping a banned exotic animal in Janesville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Janesville
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