ALERT: Lincoln County, NC

Email list: jamie.lineberger@lincolncountync.gov, bud.cesena@lincolncountync.gov, mark.mullen@lincolncountync.gov, trent.carpenter@lincolncountync.gov, alex.patton@lincolncountync.gov, jennifer.farmer@lincolncountync.gov, davin.madden@lincolncountync.gov, clay.henley@lincolncountync.gov, vanessa.leon@lincolncountync.gov, lisa.wise@lincolncountync.gov

Subject line: NO to animal ban

Lincoln County Commissioners,

The proposed animal ordinance must receive a no vote in January. It cannot move forward, as the proposal portrays our County as the most uneducated population in the U.S. by using made-up scientific classifications and “races of animals,” which is not a valid classification for animals. It demonstrates a complete lack of research, knowledge, and education.

The County already has an exotic animal ordinance that has served it well and could be used to punish irresponsible owners. There is no need to replace it. State law heavily regulates reptiles under Chapter 14, Article 55. Current laws can be enforced, and the Commissioners are making Lincoln County look foolish to the rest of the country by passing such an unjust and fictitious ordinance.

Email list: jamie.lineberger@lincolncountync.gov, bud.cesena@lincolncountync.gov, mark.mullen@lincolncountync.gov, trent.carpenter@lincolncountync.gov, alex.patton@lincolncountync.gov, jennifer.farmer@lincolncountync.gov, davin.madden@lincolncountync.gov

Subject line: NO to new animal ordinance

Lincoln County Commissioners

UPDATE 11/26/25: Lincoln County has released a new proposal. It would ban many animals (see list below), including Rock iguanas, pet rats and mice that are not white or albino, some snakes, and more. To obscure the issue, there is also a long exempt species list. This means all species not on the exempt list would still be prohibited (so the exempt list is rather pointless and just makes this ordinance more difficult for law enforcement officers).

There is a grandfather provision for animals currently held. For the listed venomous reptiles, constrictor snakes, and venomous insects, a grandfather permit would allow “the number permitted to remain under any future renewal” (meaning that if 20 animals are on your permit, you can always have up to 20). For all other prohibited animals, the grandfather provision only applies to animals held at the time of the permit. Lincoln County has released a new proposal. It would ban many animal species, including rock iguanas and some constrictor snakes. Note that state law already regulates listed constrictor snakes, venomous reptiles, and crocodilians under North Carolina. Gen. Stat. § 14-416. Possession of native mammals and birds is covered under 15A NCAC 10H.1404.

MEETING: December 1 at 6:30 PM. Lincoln County Admin Building, 353 N. Generals Blvd, Lincolnton, NC

Read the proposal at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/25-lincoln-county-3.pdf.

Email list: jamie.lineberger@lincolncountync.gov, bud.cesena@lincolncountync.gov, mark.mullen@lincolncountync.gov, trent.carpenter@lincolncountync.gov, alex.patton@lincolncountync.gov, jennifer.farmer@lincolncountync.gov, davin.madden@lincolncountync.gov

List of banned “exotic animals”:

EXOTIC ANIMAL means any (1) Crocodilian, (2) Inherently Dangerous Arachnid, (3) Inherently
Dangerous Exotic Mammal, (4) Large Constricting Snake, (5) Venomous Reptile, (6) animal that
would ordinarily be confined to a zoo, or (7) any mammal designated by the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC), the Department of Agriculture or any other national or state public health protection
agencies as embargoed and prohibited.

INHERENTLY DANGEROUS ARACHNID means all members of Class Arachnida which, due to their
inherent nature, may be considered dangerous to humans, including only arachnids in:
(A) Order Araneae (only spiders which are venomous and their venom is considered medically
significant, and not including tarantulas); and
(B) Order Scorpionida (all scorpions which are venomous and their venom is considered
medically significant)

INHERENTLY DANGEROUS EXOTIC MAMMAL means any member of the Canidae, Felidae,
Ursidae, or Elephantidae families or any member of the order primates, excluding humans, including
hybrids thereof, which, due to their inherent nature, may be considered dangerous to humans, are
exotic animals, and include, but are not limited to, any or all of the following orders and families,
whether bred in the wild or in captivity, and any or all hybrids thereof (all animals listed in
parenthesis are intended as examples and shall not be construed as an exhaustive list or limit the
generality of each group of animals unless otherwise specified):
(A) Order Artiodactyla (such as hippopotami and giraffes);
(B) Order Carnivora, which includes:
i. Family Felidae (such as lions, tigers, panthers, leopards, jaguars, ocelots, and
servals);
ii. Family Canidae (such as such as wolves and jackals);
iii. Family Ursidae (all bears);
iv. Family Mustelidae (such as weasels, martins and minks);
v. Family Procyonidae (such as coatis);
vi. Family Hyaenidae (all hyenas); and
vii. Family Viverridae (such as civets, genets and mongooses)
(C) Order Edentatia (such as anteaters, armadillos, and sloths);
(D) Order Marsupialia (such as kangaroos and wallabies);
(E) Order Perissodactyla (such as rhinoceroses and tapirs, but not horses, donkeys, or mules);
(F) Order Primates (such as lemurs, monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons, gorillas, and all other non-
human primates);
(G) Order Proboscidae (all elephants); and
(H) Order Rodentia (including capybara).

LARGE CONSTRICTING SNAKE means Reticulated Python, Python reticulatus; Burmese Python,
Python molurus; African Rock Python, Python sebae; Amethystine Python, Morelia amethistina; and
Green Anaconda, Eunectes murinus; or any of their subspecies or hybrids.

VENOMOUS REPTILE means all members of the class Reptilia including their taxonomic
successors, subspecies, or any hybrid thereof, regardless of surgical alteration, determined to have the
potential to cause serious human injury due to the toxic effects of its venom or poison, and includes
all venomous reptiles of the class Reptilia belonging to the families:
(A) Family Elapidae (all species, including but not limited to coral snakes, cobras and mambas);
(B) Family Crotalidae (all species, including but not limited to pit vipers);
(C) Family Viperidae (all species, including but not limited to cottonmouths);
(D) Family Hydrophiidae (all species, including but not limited to sea snakes);
(E) All reptiles in the genus Heloderma (including but not limited to gila monsters);
(F) Family Colubridae, but only those belonging to the following:
i. The genus Rhabdophis (including but not limited to keelback snakes);
ii. The genus Balanophis (including but not limited to Sri Lanka blossom krait);
iii. The genus Macropisthodon;
iv. The genus Boiga (including but not limited to cat-eyed snakes);
v. The genus Dispholidus (including but not limited to boomslang);
vi. The genus Thelotornis (including but not limited to twig snake); and
vii. The genus Thrasops
(G) Atractaspididae (all species, including but not limited to mole vipers);
(H) Family Varanidae (only water monitors and crocodile monitors);
(I) Family Iguanaidae (only rock iguanas); and
(J) Family Nactricidae (only keelback snakes)

UPDATE 9/8/25: The Commissioners reported that the “exotic animal” section was pulled from the agenda because work continues on that proposal (presumably due to opposition to the previous draft). Only the other amendments were introduced tonight (see link below), and those will have a vote on September 15. The current exotic animal ordinance remains in place.

UPDATE 9/5/25: Note that the link to the animal ordinance draft posted for the September 8 meeting is different from what was previously released. The draft posted on the agenda strikes section 92.12 regarding “Exotic Animals” and does not replace it. The draft reads, “SECTION 92.12 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED” (see page marked 17 of 25) and then provides no replacement. You can read the agenda and find the linked draft on the Lincoln County website at https://www.lincolncountync.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09082025-182. It is agenda item 6. Unfortunately, it is not clear if the Commissioners will discuss “exotic animals” on September 8 or not, but we do know that the posted draft animal ordinance does not include a new exotic animal section. Animal owners in Lincoln County should contact the Commissioners to ask what is happening.

UPDATE 9/2/25: The draft has been released, and a meeting has been set for Monday, September 8. You can read the proposal at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Agenda-Item-An-Ordinance-to-Amend-Chap.-92-August-2025.pdf.

Scroll to page 26 for the “inherently dangerous exotic animal” section. Some common pet species are banned, including ferrets (entire Family Mustelidae banned without exemptions), sugar gliders (entire Order Marsupialia banned without exemptions), and Emperor scorpions (entire Order Scorpionida banned without exemptions). For reptiles, Rock iguanas, venomous reptiles, boas over 8′, crocodilians, water monitors, and crocodile monitors are banned (possibly others, see below). Some common pets are listed as “exempted animals” on page 27, but not all common pets are exempt.

Another problem with the draft is that it has a banned list that states, “include, but are not limited to,” meaning additional species may be labeled as “dangerous exotic animals” based upon the determination of any enforcement officer or other official. There is also an “exempted animals” list. This means that any species not listed in one of those two lists is in a grey area and open to interpretation of where it falls. There is also no grandfather exemption for private owners and some businesses. There is an exemption for AZA zoos and USDA facilities (some others on page 27). Note that there are many changes to the dog regulations, too.

Meeting info: September 8 at 6:30 PM, 353 N. Generals Blvd, Lincolnton, NC

These species will be banned as “inherently dangerous exotic animals.” There is no grandfather clause allowing continued possession of animals currently held:

(A) CLASS MAMMALIA, which includes
(1) Order Artiodactyla (such as hippopotami, giraffes, and camels)
(2) Order Carnivora, which includes:
i. Family Felidae (such as lions, tigers, panthers, leopards, jaguars, ocelots, and servals)
ii. Family Canidae (such as such as wolves and jackals)
iii. Family Ursidae (all bears)
iv. Family Mustelidae (such as weasels, martins and minks)
v. Family Procyonidae (such as coatis)
vi. Family Hyaenidae (all hyenas)
vii. Family Viverridae (such as civets, genets and mongooses)
(3) Order Edentatia (such as anteaters, armadillos, and sloths)
(4) Order Marsupialia (such as kangaroos and wallabies)
(5) Order Perissodactyla (such as rhinoceroses and tapirs, but not horses, donkeys, or mules);
(6) Order Primates (such as lemurs, monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons, gorillas, and all other non-human primates);
(7) Order Proboscidae (all elephants);
(8) Order Rodentia
(B) CLASS REPTILIA, which includes:
(1) Order Squamata, which includes:
Family Varanidae (only water monitors and crocodile monitors)
Family Iguanaidae (only rock iguanas)
Family Boidae (only those whose actual length exceeds eight (8) feet)
Family Colubridae (only boomslangs and African twig snakes)
Family Elapidae (all species, including but not limited to coral snakes, cobras, mambas)
Family Nactricidae (only keelback snakes)
Family Viperidae (all species, including but not limited to cottonmouths
Family Helodermidae (such as gila monsters and Mexican beaded lizards)
Family Crotalidae (such as pit vipers)
Family Atractaspidae (such as burrowing asps)
Family Hydrophilidae (such as sea snakes)
(2) Order Crocodilia (all species, including but not limited to crocodiles, alligators, caimans, gavials)
(C) CLASS ARACHNIDA, which includes:
(1) Order Araneae (only spiders which are venomous, but excluding tarantulas);
(2) Order Scorpionida (all scorpions).

No grandfather provision: “Pre-Existing Inherently Dangerous Exotic Animals. Any Owner of an Inherently Dangerous Exotic Animal that is existing and/or present within Lincoln County prior to, or at the time, this ordinance is adopted shall be required to remove said Inherently Dangerous Exotic Animal from Lincoln County within 180 days of the effective date of this Ordinance.”

Sample Letter (Please be civil and professional!)

County Commissioner names, emails, and numbers can be found at https://www.lincolncountync.gov/316/Board-of-Commissioners.

Email list: jamie.lineberger@lincolncountync.gov, bud.cesena@lincolncountync.gov, mark.mullen@lincolncountync.gov, trent.carpenter@lincolncountync.gov, alex.patton@lincolncountync.gov, jennifer.farmer@lincolncountync.gov, davin.madden@lincolncountync.gov

Subject line: NO to proposed animal ordinance and ban

Lincoln County Commissioners,

I am a Lincoln County resident who is very disappointed in the new animal ordinance draft and oppose it. After months of supposed research and work, you have proposed a ban on common pets, including domesticated ferrets, sugar gliders, Emperor scorpions, and most tropical aquarium fish. Some of those are listed as “inherently dangerous exotic animals,” while others are not included as “exempted animals.” Also, you are closing down businesses without reimbursement or grandfathering!

The County is disregarding state law by banning certain reptiles that are already regulated by the state. Additionally, the definition for “domesticated animals” remains nonsensical. Dogs and cats are not indigenous to Lincoln County, and that therefore disqualifies them from the County’s definition of domesticated animals. This same mistake was in the previous draft.

These are just some of the problems. Table it again and do it right this time by making a rational and practical ordinance that punishes irresponsible owners instead of people who properly care for their animals. Thank you, and have a good day.

Sincerely,

your name or initials

UPDATE 5/5/25: The hearing was tonight, and the Commissioners tabled the proposal (meaning they did not vote, and it will come back amended at a later date). No one spoke in favor of the proposal. Those who spoke in opposition included USARK’s Phil Goss, Buddy Waskey from the American Federation of Aviculture (AFA), one reptile owner, a young pet “exotic” (per this proposal) owner and her father, and several exotic mammal owners. The Commissioners stated that more research would be done before another proposal was presented. Thank you to everyone who opposed this very overreaching proposal that would have banned all pets except dogs and cats (and even those contradicted the bad definition of domesticated animals). Those who showed up stopped this!

UPDATE: This is on the agenda for Monday, May 5.

6:30 PM on Monday, May 5
Lincoln County Admin Building
353 N. Generals Blvd.
Lincolnton, NC 28092

Read the agenda (item #5) at https://www.lincolncountync.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05052025-173.

Lincoln County, North Carolina, has proposed a ban on all animals not native to North Carolina, so this applies to fish, birds, mammals, herps, and invertebrates. The County is updating its animal ordinance, but the draft includes some very overreaching measures. This does not seem to be intentional, but we do not want a poorly worded law to pass, as future enforcement could crack down on anyone, and the law could also be copied in other jurisdictions. Lawmakers need to hear opposition from local residents.

Lincoln County residents must contact the Commissioners ASAP! This may be voted on in May. We have a sample letter below. Remember to be civil and professional! If you are a non-resident (such as another organization, veterinarian, herpetologist, educator, professor, zoologist, relevant professional, etc.), please compose a letter and include your title and credentials.

What is proposed:

1. A ban on all animals not native to North Carolina (as they will all be listed as “dangerous exotic animals”);
2. The only pets allowed as “domesticated animals” are those “that are indigenous to Lincoln County and normally, customarily share human habitation in Lincoln County and are normally dependent on humans for food and shelter in Lincoln County, such as dogs and cats.” (even though dogs and cats are not indigenous);
3. A ban on ALL breeding of animals not native to North Carolina;
4. Traditional livestock animals (horses, cattle, etc.) will be allowed and regulated under state law;
5. There is a grandfather provision allowing people who currently have “exotic animals” to keep them, but residents must get a license for EACH exotic animal. NOTE again that all animals not native to North Carolina are “exotic” under the definitions. This means each aquarium fish (non-native to NC), canary, gecko, dart frog, ferret, and every other non-native animal needs to be permitted. You also cannot get more of these “exotic” animals after June 1, 2025, and the permits must be renewed annually;
6. There are also changes regarding dogs and “dangerous dogs.”

You can read the full proposal at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/25-lincoln-county-nc.pdf. Only the first page has blurred print.

Below are some of the new definitions. NOTE that in order to be a “dangerous exotic animal,” the animal only needs to meet ONE of these criteria, not all of them. This is because the word OR is used instead of AND at number 5.

DANGEROUS EXOTIC ANIMAL means any animal which:
(1) Is not native or indigenous to this state;
(2) Would ordinarily be confined to a zoo;
(3) Does not have an established wild population in this State;
(4) Is not regulated by the State Wildlife Commission;
(5) Is likely to cause a reasonable person to be fearful of significant destruction of property or of bodily harm, including, but not limited to, non-human primates, ocelots, wolves, hybrid wolves, venomous reptiles, and other such animals; or
(6) All mammals designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Agriculture or other national or state public health protection agencies as embargoed or prohibited.

In addition to “dangerous exotic animal,” there are new definitions for “inherently dangerous exotic mammal” and “inherently dangerous reptile.” All of those three types of animals would be banned per this new text: “At no time may a person harbor a dangerous exotic animal, inherently dangerous exotic mammal or inherently dangerous reptile. A violation of this section shall be considered a Class 3 Misdemeanor and subject to civil penalties in §92.99 of this Ordinance.”

DOMESTICATED ANIMALS. A species of animals that are indigenous to Lincoln County and normally, customarily share human habitation in Lincoln County and are normally dependent on humans for food and shelter in Lincoln County, such as dogs and cats.

Sample Letter (Please be civil and professional!)

County Commissioner names, emails, and numbers can be found at https://www.lincolncountync.gov/316/Board-of-Commissioners.

Email list: jamie.lineberger@lincolncountync.gov, bud.cesena@lincolncountync.gov, mark.mullen@lincolncountync.gov, trent.carpenter@lincolncountync.gov, alex.patton@lincolncountync.gov, jennifer.farmer@lincolncountync.gov, davin.madden@lincolncountync.gov, megan.gilbert@lincolncountync.gov

Subject line: NO to proposed animal ordinance

Lincoln County Commissioners,

I am a Lincoln County resident who opposes the proposed changes to the county’s animal ordinance. I appreciate that the County seeks to make a better animal ordinance for law enforcement and residents, but I do not support the proposal. While I do not think it is intentional, the draft bans all aquarium fish, pet birds like parakeets, hamsters, ferrets, most pet reptiles, most pet amphibians, and more. This is because, as drafted, the proposal considers all these types of animals to be “dangerous exotic animals” since that definition includes all species not native to North Carolina, and those animals do not qualify as “domesticated animals” under the new definitions. I also oppose the ban on breeding exotic animals, as many people breed aquarium fish, pet birds, geckos, and other animals.

Statistically, almost 1/3 of Americans own fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians that are not native to North Carolina, so this will affect many Lincoln County residents. All of those people would need to get an annual permit for each animal and could not own more of these pets in the future.

Please make rational changes to the draft ordinance. Thank you, and have a good day.

Sincerely,

your name or initials