Bill > S00252

This bill amends the environmental conservation law to define "wild animal" as indigenous, non-domesticated animals native to their country of origin, and "exotic animal" as a wild animal originating from a different continent. The bill expands the list of wild and exotic animals to include several new categories such as macropodidae (kangaroos and related species), cetacea (whales and dolphins), elephantidae, hyaenidae, perissodactyla, pinnipedia, xenarthra, viverridae, cynomys, and capybaras. The bill provides a grandfather clause for current owners of exotic animals, allowing them to retain possession of their animals if they meet certain conditions: they have not been convicted of animal cruelty and they obtain a license from the department within six months of the law's effective date. The license will allow existing exotic animal owners to keep their pets for the remainder of the animal's life, but appears to prohibit new acquisitions of such animals. This legislation aims to regulate the ownership of non-domesticated and potentially dangerous animals by creating clearer definitions and a licensing process for existing exotic animal owners.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S252