Raleigh considers banning ownership of venomous snakes, other exotic animals

Right now, North Carolina is one of only six states that doesn't ban private ownership of venomous snakes or require a permit to have them.

Posted 10:44 a.m. Jul 22, 2021 — Updated 5:41 p.m. Jul 22, 2021

Lora Lavinge

, WRAL Durham reporter

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina is one of only six states that doesn’t ban private ownership of venomous snakes or require a permit to have them.

Raleigh made national headlines when a zebra cobra was loose, but now there’s an effort to ban people from owning dangerous and exotic animals. Those discussions will continue on Thursday in a virtual town hall.

It’s been almost a month since the venomous zebra cobra was last spotted and captured in this neighborhood on Chamonix Place. Now, city and state leaders are working to make sure that never happens again.

WRAL's cameras captured the striped snake crawling out of the siding of a house on Sandringham Drive, onto the front porch of a home. Wake County state senator Jay Chaudhuri is proposing legislation that would prohibit possession of exotic animals like non-native venomous snakes in the state and big cats. Here’s what will be proposed at a virtual town hall today with residents and local animal experts.

"It would be grandfathered and allow folks who own inherently dangerous animals to do so, but, as a qualification, you need to register that animal with a state agency. And you also need to purchase $1 million in liability insurance. Secondly, because it’s a grandfather rule, once the animal passes away, the prohibition will kick in place," said Senator Chaudhuri.

Chaudhuri, Senator Wiley Nickel, and Raleigh City Councilman David Knight are among those wanting to ban possession of exotic animals like non-native venomous snakes and big cats. Earlier this month, Knight went on record to call the ownership of the snake "irresponsible, reckless and dangerous behavior."

Nickel and Chaudhuri are putting together a bill that would prohibit the possession of non-native snakes.

“North Carolina has virtually no regulations for the keeping of venomous snakes and dangerous animals. The lack of adequate regulation has recently put the citizens of Wake County in danger," Nickel said.

Christopher Gifford, 21, is facing 40 charges in connection with the escape of the snake. His first court date is August 6.

The town hall is set for 5 p.m. You can register here or email emily.hennen@ncleg.gov.

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