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Utica, NY Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Wild pets allowed?
No, banned by state law
Key statutes
ECL 11-0512; Ag & Markets 370
Examples banned
Big cats, primates, venomous snakes
Penalty
Up to 1 year / $500 fine
City-specific rule
None; state controls

Summary

New York bans keeping dangerous wild animals, big cats, primates, and venomous reptiles as pets, and this applies in Utica. Under Agriculture and Markets Law Sec. 370, owning a wild animal capable of inflicting bodily harm without safeguarding the public is a misdemeanor. Utica code does not add an exception.

Any person owning, possessing or harboring a wild animal or reptile capable of inflicting bodily harm upon a human being, who shall fail to exercise due care in safeguarding the public from attack by such wild animal or reptile, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or by both.

View official code

Full Breakdown

New York's wild-animal-as-pet ban (Environmental Conservation Law Sec. 11-0512 and Ag & Markets Law Sec. 370) prohibits possessing wild animals such as big cats, bears, wolves, primates, and venomous reptiles as pets statewide. In Utica, these state prohibitions govern because the City Code contains no separate exotic-animal permit scheme, only its fowl ban and dog rules. Conventional pets like domestic dogs, cats, small caged birds, fish, and typical small reptiles are allowed. Anyone owning a covered wild animal must exercise due care to safeguard the public, and unlicensed possession can be seized and prosecuted.

Violations & Fines

Failing to safeguard the public from a wild animal is a misdemeanor under Ag & Markets Sec. 370, punishable by up to one year imprisonment, a fine up to $500, or both.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep a monkey or big cat in Utica?
No. New York's Environmental Conservation Law bans possessing dangerous wild animals as pets, and that prohibition applies inside Utica city limits.
Are common reptiles or birds okay?
Generally yes. Typical pet snakes, lizards, small caged birds, and fish are not covered by the wild-animal ban, but venomous or dangerous species are prohibited.

Sources & Official References

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All Utica rules

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