Racine County, WI Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned
- Dangerous animals/reptiles not domestic to WI
- Exempt
- Zoos, schools, shows, licensed game farms
- Forfeiture
- $15 (Code § 5-3)
- Definition test
- Unconfined risk of injury or death
Summary
Racine County bars keeping any dangerous animal or reptile not domestic to Wisconsin, with narrow carve-outs for zoos, schools, traveling shows and licensed game farms that keep the animals securely confined.
No person shall keep in the county dangerous animals or reptiles not domestic to the state. No person shall permit their dog, pet or other animal or animals to run at large causing or threatening damage, injury or disturbance to any neighboring tenant or landowner or person legally entitled to possession thereof.
(b) Exception. An exception to the prohibition against keeping dangerous animals or reptiles is made with respect to zoos, educational institutions, traveling shows, exhibits and licensed game farms. Those individuals and institutions granted the above exception are required, however, to insure that the animals and/or reptiles are safely kept so that they do not endanger persons in the county.
(c) Definition. For the purposes of this section, a dangerous animal or reptile is one (1) which, when not in a totally controlled environment or situation, would create or be likely to create an exposure or liability to citizens within the county of injury, pain, death or other peril which would not be anticipated by a citizen, or in an ordinary sense, protected against. (Code 1975, § 12.08) Cross reference(s)—Schedule of deposits for violation of the provisions in this section, § 5-3.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33).
Full Breakdown
Code § 4-1(a) makes it unlawful to keep in the county 'dangerous animals or reptiles not domestic to the state.' Subsection (c) defines a dangerous animal or reptile as one that, outside a totally controlled environment, would expose county residents to a risk of injury, pain, death or other peril an ordinary person would not expect or protect against: language broad enough to reach species like big cats or venomous snakes, not just a fixed list. Subsection (b) exempts zoos, educational institutions, traveling shows, exhibits and licensed game farms, provided they keep the animals or reptiles safely confined so they cannot endanger the public.
Violations & Fines
Violations fall under the Code § 5-3 schedule's 'dog, pet, animal control' line: a $15 forfeiture plus costs of prosecution per offense, with jail time possible in default of payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep an exotic pet like a big cat or venomous snake in Racine County?
What counts as a 'dangerous' animal under the ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Racine County
Compare Racine County to another location·View the Wisconsin animal ordinances overview
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