Pennington County in South Dakota has proposed a ban on all non-domesticated animals. This would ban all aquarium species except goldfish and koi, in addition to many other pet species such as parrots, lizards, turtles, and frogs. While this extreme ban may not be the intent, the language used bans most animals. This has a final vote on April 21, so local residents need to contact officials immediately and, if possible, attend the meeting.
Meeting: Tuesday, April 21 at 9:00 AM, Commission Chambers in the County Administration Building, 900 Concourse Drive, Rapid City, SD
Exotic Animal means any animal that is not classified as a domestic animal in the United States. This includes animals that are native to foreign countries or have origins outside the United States. Examples include, but are not limited to, lions, tigers, leopards, elephants, camels, antelope, anteaters, kangaroos, and water buffalo. (Note that while examples are provided, the definition of “exotic animal” reads “include, but are not limited to,” meaning it can be applied to any non-domesticated animal, even a leopard gecko, tetra, or a cockatiel. Only a few species are considered domesticated/domestic, such as dogs, cats, horses, chickens, etc.)
Ownership or possession. It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess or maintain the custody, charge or control of any wild, exotic, dangerous or nondomestic animal, or venomous snake or reptile, or any animal known by such person to be dangerous or wild as regulated by the South Dakota Animal Industry Board.
Read the ordinance at https://usaqua.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/26-Pennington-County-SD.pdf.
County Commissioner phone numbers are listed at https://www.pennco.org/government/board_of_commissioners/index.php.
An email list is below, and you can submit comments at this link or by calling 605-394-2171: https://www.pennco.org/government/board_of_commissioners/contactus.php
This is agenda item 12d. The agenda is posted at https://pennco.community.highbond.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=150.
Sample Letter (Please be civil and professional!)
Email list: ron.weifenbach@pennco.org, pcboc@pennco.org, debdistrict3@midco.net, jerry.derr@pennco.org, gary.drewes@gmail.com
Subject line: NO to Aquarium and Nondomesticated Pet Ban
Pennington County Commissioners,
I am an aquarium keeper and Pennington County resident who opposes the ban on “exotic and nondomestic animals.” While I assume it is not the intent, the language used to define exotic animal bans aquarium fish, pet birds like cockatiels and parrots, geckos, tortoises, frogs, hedgehogs, and more. Also, most animals are not domestic/domesticated, and the “ownership or possession” section specifically bans all nondomestic animals. Only a few species, such as dogs, cats, horses, and other common livestock, are considered domesticated. Obviously, many people in the county own tropical fish and other aquarium species in addition to other harmless pets.
Please revise the “exotic animal” definition and the “ownership or possession” section to resolve this issue of banning aquariums and other common household pets. While examples are provided, the definition reads “include, but are not limited to,” which means it applies to all non-domesticated animals, and very few species are considered domesticated. This seems like an oversight that creates unintended consequences, and I hope you will fix the problem. Thank you for your consideration of this issue.
