Alligator, Venomous Snake Ownership Outlawed In Loudoun County

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — It is no longer legal for Loudoun County residents to own or breed exotic animals like alligators, kangaroos, wolf hybrids, scorpions, and venomous snakes, after an ordinance passed this week by the Board of County Supervisors outlawed keeping these and other animals.

Residents who currently own animals listed in the ordinance will be allowed to keep them, as long as the animals are registered through the county. The law prohibits Loudoun residents from breeding the exotic animals. The change will not apply to zoos or rehabilitative agencies.

Humane law enforcement officers with Loudoun County Animal services asked county officials to consider the change in November 2022. Animal services employees were concerned after they found three alligators, a caiman, a king cobra, and six other venomous snakes on a property in Loudoun County.

"One alligator was being allowed to free-roam the property prior to officers’ arrival, was missing for over a week, and was later sighted at a popular nearby vineyard," the county supervisors report said.

Officials were also concerned about the presence of venomous snakes on the property. The report noted that there is no antivenom available in Virginia. The closest sources for snake antivenom are at the Smithsonian Zoo, which has a limited supply, and a reptile zoo in Kentucky.

"This is not an isolated event, as in addition to venomous snakes and alligators, officers and staff of LCAS have interacted with residents owning scorpions, foxes, coatimundi, and wolf-hybrids," county officials said in a report. "Currently, there is no way of knowing how many exotic or venomous species of animals are living in residences in Loudoun County, as no law restricts ownership."

Neighboring jurisdictions, including the town of Leesburg; Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William counties; and the District of Columbia, already have ordinances in place banning exotic pet ownership.

On Jan. 5, Loudoun Animal Services officials held a meeting on Zoom to solicit public input. Most of the residents at the meeting were in favor of the ordinance.

One resident noted that they used to live in Florida and saw the state become overrun with pythons, an invasive species.

"The term 'Florida man' has become synonymous with an idiot," the resident said. "Please ban venomous and other dangerous animals — don't let 'Loudoun person' become a term of derision."

Anyone who violates the law would be guilty of a class 4 misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of up to $250.

More information about the specific animals included in the ordinance is available online.