Connecticut law universally bans private possession of potentially dangerous animals including big cats, primates, bears, wolves, and crocodilians, with state-issued permits required for any limited exceptions.
Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 26-40a prohibits possession of potentially dangerous animals statewide. The list includes felidae (lions, tigers, cougars, leopards), canidae (wolves), ursidae (bears), great apes, and crocodilians. After the 2009 Travis the chimp incident in Stamford, the legislature tightened restrictions in 2010 to ban primates over 35 pounds. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) administers exotic pet rules and issues permits only for accredited zoos, research institutions, and limited grandfathered keepers. Municipalities cannot authorize what state law prohibits.
Possession is a class A misdemeanor with fines up to $2,000 per animal and immediate seizure. Repeat or commercial violations may face felony charges and asset forfeiture.
See how Windham's exotic pets rules stack up against other locations.
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