Stratford, CT Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Article II of Chapter 83 of the Stratford Code, adopted by the Town Council on 9-13-1982, covers the keeping of dangerous wild animals. Section 83-12 defines the potentially dangerous wild animals by family. The Felidae are listed as the lion, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, ocelot, jaguarundi, puma, lynx, cougar and bobcat. The Canidae are listed as the wolf and coyote. The Ursidae are listed as the black bear, grizzly bear and brown bear.

Section 83-13 forbids possessing any of them without first obtaining a permit from the Mayor. The permit is issued at the discretion of the Mayor and prescribes the conditions and limitations the Mayor deems necessary to provide for public safety and welfare. An animal illegally possessed is ordered seized and can be disposed of as the Mayor determines. The fine is $100 for any person who violates the section, and facilities maintained by the Town or Board of Education are exempt. The section was amended on 3-12-2007 by Ord. No. 07-03.

Section 83-14 is a separate and tougher rule for snakes. No person can keep, possess or maintain any live python, anaconda, constrictor of any type, cobra or any other poisonous, dangerous or deadly snake within the Town of Stratford. The section prints no permit procedure for snakes. The only exemptions printed are licensed circuses and museums or laboratories maintained by scientific or education institutions. The penalty is a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment of not more than one year, or both.

The decision-maker for wild animals is the Mayor, not the Dog Warden. Section 83-8 says the Dog Warden's duties do not include domestic or household pets other than dogs.