South Bend, IN Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Sec. 5-40(a) requires state and/or federal permits for any wild or exotic animal kept within the city. Subsection (b) goes further for dangerous species, making it unlawful to "keep, shelter, harbor, buy, sell, or trade within the city a dangerous wild animal or a dangerous exotic animal as defined in this chapter," with a narrow carve-out in subsection (c) for permitted zoological parks, zoos, and educational or medical institutions. An animal found in violation may be seized immediately under Indiana Code and Department of Natural Resources regulations, then held in protective custody for seven calendar days so the owner can locate new, appropriate housing outside city limits; if no arrangement is made in that window, the animal becomes city property for disposition.

The owner remains responsible for all impoundment, euthanasia, or relocation expenses, payable before the animal is released or relocated. The same section separately covers native wildlife: housing or rehabilitating native wildlife on public or private land must be done by a state- or federally-permitted individual or entity, any permitted rehabilitation shelter must sit at least 20 feet from neighboring property, and disease-vector species such as raccoons and opossums may not be rehabilitated inside city limits at all.