Indiana Exotic Pet Laws
Exotic pet laws vary widely from state to state and fall into four major categories. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 20 states have strong laws against ownership. Nine states have partial bans that allow ownership of some types of animals but not others. Twelve states require permits or licenses, and nine have no requirements at all. In order to protect public health and safety, Indiana is in the group that requires a permit to own a dangerous exotic animal.
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Permits
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Indiana has two types of permits for owning wild animals that can be obtained from local business certification departments. One permit allows a person to own a wild animal that is protected by rule or statute. The other permit allows a person to own a wild animal that may endanger animals or plants. Indiana exotic pet laws require anyone owning a dangerous exotic animal to get a permit for every exotic animal in his possession. These animals include the usual exotic animals, such as lions, tigers, jaguars, panthers, cheetahs, jackals, hyenas, venomous reptiles, alligators, crocodiles, gorillas, orangutans, Burmese pythons, reticulated pythons, green and yellow anacondas.
Temporary Confiscation
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The director of the state licensing division can confiscate the animal, the permit or both under the following conditions: No permit has been issued for possession of the animal. The owner has a permit for the animal in question, but the animal’s health or life is in danger or the animal is threatening another animal.
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Consequences
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The director will try to come to a feasible agreement with the owner as quickly as possible. This can result in temporary suspension, modification or revocation of the permit. Agreement must be made as to the placement of the animal and can result in permanent confiscation of the animal.
An expert holding the required permits can be called to seize and hold the animal until the director calls for its return to the owner. The expert cannot be subject to legal action concerning this arrangement.
The seized-animal’s owner is liable for all costs including any proceedings (this may involve a trial), seizing and holding expenses.
Exception
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As in most laws, there is one exception. The state of Indiana has no requirements for owning monkeys.
Local Laws
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As of July 2010, three towns in Indiana have their own laws regarding exotic animals, according to Born Free USA.
St. John, Indiana, has a law prohibiting any private possession of wild animals as pets even if they are raised or born in captivity. The only exceptions are hybrids.
No one within Fort Wayne’s city limits may trade, buy, sell, harbor, shelter or keep dangerous exotic animals. A list of these animals includes tigers, wolves and bears.
The town of Dugger prohibits any private possession of exotic animals that require permits from any state or federal agency.
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