The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo will hold an Exotic Animal Amnesty Day July 25 to provide a convenient, safe and "no questions asked" way for people to bring in exotic animals they may own legally or in possible violation of state law.

Susan Frechette, DEP Deputy Commissioner for Environmental Conservation, said, "We are looking for people to turn in exotic animals they own that may violate Connecticut’s ban on possession of a range of dangerous animals. Simply put, these animals can be dangerous to own as pets. We are also looking for people to turn in exotic animals they may hold legally but may not want any longer. We do not want people to release such animals because non-native species can have an adverse impact on Connecticut’s native plants and animal populations."

"The Amnesty Day," Frechette said, "allows people to bring their exotic animals to Beardsley Zoo with the knowledge that they will face no penalties, be asked no questions and that their animal will be taken care of properly."

Gregg Dancho, director of the Beardsley Zoo, said, "We are pleased to be working with DEP to support Exotic Animal Amnesty Day. We also appreciate the support of other accredited zoos and licensed facilities so that we can provide suitable and safe homes for animals that are turned in on that day. This Amnesty Day is a very positive approach to addressing the issue of dangerous and exotic animals being kept as pets."

Exotic Animal Amnesty Day – which will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Zoo’s Hanson Exploration Station – is designed to allow people to surrender exotic animals without a penalty or consequence. Reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, fish and invertebrates will be accepted. All animals must be brought to the zoo in secure carriers.

Animals that are turned in will become the property of DEP. All animals will be examined on site by experts and referred for any necessary veterinary care.

Domestic pets, such as dogs and cats, will not be accepted on this Amnesty Day.

Connecticut state law (Section 26-40a of the General Statutes) prohibits possession of potentially dangerous animals. This ban includes animals belonging to the:

• Felidae species, such as lions, leopards, jaguar
• Canidae species, such as wolf and coyote
• Ursidae species, such as black, brown and grizzly bears

Connecticut state law (Section 26-55 of the General Statutes ) also prohibits the possession of certain animals without a permit – including various fish, wild birds, wild mammals, primates, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

Legislation is pending before the General Assembly to expand the list of potentially dangerous animals that are banned in Connecticut.

The bill would expand the list of prohibited wild animals for private ownership and strengthen the criminal and civil penalties for illegal possession.

The bill makes violations of the law, currently an infraction, a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a $2,000 fine. It also increases the civil penalty from $1,000 to $2,000 a day.

Anyone who has questions concerning this program can contact the Department of Environmental Conservation Police at (860)424-3012 or at DEP.EnConPolice@ct.gov.