You can no longer keep a pet cheetah in South Carolina. As of January 1, South Carolina lawmakers passed a law aimed at stopping people from owning exotic pets.
The Palmetto state was one of only five states in the country that had no restrictions on people keeping dangerous wild animals. The new law makes it illegal for people to buy or own large cats, apes or non-native bears (the law does not apply to zoos).
Those with exotic animals are grandfathered in, but must register their pets with local animal control agencies. Owners must also produce a plan showing how the animal would be quickly and safely recaptured if it escapes.
