S 357 Summary

• Prohibits ownership, possession, import, purchase, or sale of big cats (genus panthera), bears (except native species), and great apes in North Carolina, effective December 1, 2019.

• Exempts USDA-licensed institutions, research facilities, wildlife sanctuaries, veterinary facilities, circuses, law enforcement, and motion picture/television production companies from the prohibition.

• Allows persons who lawfully possessed these animals before June 1, 2019 to keep them if they register annually, maintain records, allow law enforcement inspections, post warning signs, and cannot acquire additional animals or breed them.

• Requires proper containment in escape-proof enclosures with locks and maintains 15-foot public barriers; prohibits knowingly releasing animals into the wild.

• Establishes Class 2 misdemeanor penalties (up to $5,000 civil penalty per violation), Class A1 misdemeanor for animals running loose, and Class I felony if loose animals cause serious bodily injury; allows civil actions by county residents against violators.