North Carolina is one of 20 states that has no ban or state-established rules on owning exotic animals.

The state make it illegal to own indigenous wild animals such as cougars, bobcats, deer, squirrels or skunks. But? You can import, and own a tiger.

In 2007, Sen. Ed Jones, D-Halifax, introduced a bill that would ban private ownership of wild animals after a Wilkes County fourth-grader was killed by a tiger kept in his aunt's backyard, but the bill was met with instant opposition.

After an Ohio man freed dozens of lions, tigers, bears and other dangerous animals before killing himself, Ohio changed its' law regarding keeping exotic animals. We encourage North Carolina to place a statewide ban as well.

Bev Perdue
Office of the Governor
Constituent Services Office
116 West Jones Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
Phone: (800) 662-7952 or (919) 733-2391
Fax: (919) 733-2120
EMail: governor.office@nc.gov