Madison bans keeping animals deemed inherently dangerous to humans, including bears, big cats, wolves, primates, alligators, and venomous snakes. "Exotic animals" like monkeys, foxes, skunks, and non-domestic cats are defined and restricted under City Code Chapter 6.
Under Madison City Code § 6-6, it is unlawful to keep any animal the U.S. Animal Health Association has determined to be inherently dangerous to humans. The listed prohibited animals include bears; lions, tigers, leopards, and other big cats; wolves and jackals; primates such as chimpanzees, gorillas, and baboons; elephants; alligators and crocodiles; cobras, vipers, and other venomous snakes; and large constrictor snakes over eight feet. Section 6-1 separately defines an "exotic animal" to include monkeys, alligators, raccoons, skunks, foxes, bears, sea mammals, venomous snakes, and any non-domestic cat or dog. Owners of prohibited animals must remove them at their own expense.
Keeping a prohibited dangerous animal is punishable under § 6-2 with minimum fines of $100/$200/$500, and the owner must remove the animal at his own expense.
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