We are currently working with THE MADISON AREA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY, Vivtech, and The United States Association of Reptile Keepers(USARK), to change the outdated City of Janesvilles exotic animal ordinance.

This is the current ordinance and animal ordinance that bans harmless pet snakes like Ball Pythons and Corn Snakes;

Sec. 8-47. - Wild, exotic or vicious animals as pet; not allowed.

(a)No person shall keep, or permit to be kept, any wild, exotic or vicious animal as a pet.(b)The term "vicious animal" means any animal, reptile, and/or fish, that constitutes a physical threat to human beings or other animals.(c)The terms "wild animals" and "exotic animals" mean any venomous snake, constricting snake, tarantula, live monkey (nonhuman primate), raccoon, skunk, wolf, squirrel, fox, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx or other warm-blooded animalanimal which can normally be found in the wild state, any member of the crocodilian family, including, but not limited to, alligators, crocodiles, caymans and gavials.(d)Guard dogs, ferrets, nonvenomous snakes, non-constricting snakes, rabbits and laboratory rats which have been bred in captivity and which have never known the wild shall be excluded from this section.

(Code 1976, § 6.08.050; Ord. No. 84-382, § 1, 1984)