Celebrities Linked to Possession of Exotic Pets

Keeping certain animals in California could lead to criminal charges.

Celebrities Linked to Possession of Exotic Pets

There is something impossibly adorable about a tiger cub — the big paws, the kitten-like face, and the sheer majesty of the way it walks. Yet there are laws against keeping animals like tigers as pets for a reason: they are dangerous animals. In recent weeks, a pair of celebrities has been linked to exotic animals, highlighting just how serious California takes this offense.

In December, controversial YouTuber Logan Paul interacted with a tiger cub on a video that he later posted on YouTube. In the video, he approached the cub, which was hiding poolside in a Los Angeles backyard. He then brought out his small dog to meet the tiger. The tiger chased the dog in circles and tried to roar at the dog, which swiped its paw at the tiger’s snout. Officials were already aware of the tiger — who had previously appeared on instagram — and were able to track it down based on the video. Its owner, Nicholas Perkins, faces two counts of illegal possession of a tiger and mistreatment of a tiger. The tiger was confiscated and taken to a tiger rescue in Los Angeles.

In December, singer-songwriter Chris Brown also found himself in trouble with the law for possessing a pet capuchin monkey without a permit. Once again, it was social media that landed the celebrity in hot water; after he posted pictures of the monkey to instagram, officials from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife seized the monkey and took him to a sanctuary facility. He has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of owning a restricted species without a permit.

Under California law, it is a crime to keep as a pet any animal that is endangered or which the California Department of Fish and Game considers a threat to public health and safety or to native fish, wildlife or agriculture. While many of the restrictions on exotic pets are fairly obvious— like owning tigers — others are less apparent. For example, in California, it is prohibit to have a sugar glider, ferret, hedgehog, monkey, squirrel, or gerbil as a pet. In fact, you can be fined for simply feeding a squirrel in California. As an experienced Orange County criminal defense lawyer can explain, only Hawaii has more restrictive exotic pet laws than California.

While Californians are rarely prosecuted for possession of exotic animals, it can and does happen — as demonstrated by the two cases above. Penalties may include a civil fine of $500 to $10,000, plus the costs of the animal’s removal, storage and care. In addition, a prosecutor may decide to charge you with a misdemeanor offense for possession of an exotic animal. This crime is punishable by up to six months in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.

If you plan to get a pet in California outside of the more common cat or dog, it pays to do some research beforehand — or to consult with an Orange County criminal defense lawyer. Because California’s laws are strict, it is better to be sure that your potential new pet does not violate the law before bringing it into your home.

The Chambers Law Firm represents clients on a range of criminal charges. Contact us today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation with a skilled Orange County criminal defense lawyer.

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