PET REGULATIONS IN SOUTH DAKOTA
If you're wanting to purchase or adopt a new pet, use these resources to help you find out if the pet you want is prohibited or controlled (i.e., requires a permit) in your state. And don't forget to do some research on the pet you want. Many pets are expensive, time consuming, and can live for a long time. Be prepared to properly care for your pet for its entire lifetime.
South Dakota prohibited and controlled species info
You may not possess, transport, sell, purchase, or propagate an aquatic invasive species in South Dakota. For invasive fish and crayfish, only dead specimens may be transported or possessed. The only exceptions include: an employee of a business approved by the department may transport and possess watercraft with AIS for the purpose of watercraft decontamination.
Species classified as “aquatic invasive species” in South Dakota:
Fish
- Black carp, bighead carp, blotched snakehead, bullseye snakehead, common carp, European rudd, giant snakehead, grass carp, northern snakehead, round goby, silver carp, western mosquitofish and white perch.
Plants
- Brittle naiad, common reed, curly pondweed, didymo, Eurasian water-milfoil, flowering rush, purple loosestrife, and starry stonewort.
Invertebrates
- Asian clam, New Zealand mudsnail, quagga mussel, red rimmed melania, red swamp crayfish, rusty crayfish, spiny waterflea and zebra mussel.
No person may take, possess, transport, import, export, process, sell, or offer for sale, buy or offer to buy, nor may a common or contract carrier transport or receive for shipment, any species of wildlife or plants appearing on the following lists (unless permitted by the secretary of agriculture and natural resources or the secretary of game, fish and parks):
- The list of wildlife and plants indigenous to the state determined to be endangered or threatened within the state pursuant to §§ 34A-8-3 and 34A-8-4.
- The United States list of endangered or threatened native wildlife effective on January 1, 1977.
- The United States list of endangered or threatened foreign wildlife effective on January 1, 1977.
- The United States list of endangered or threatened plants effective on January 1, 1977.
Other prohibited species under South Dakota law include:
- Lions
- Tigers
- Bears
- Certain species of venomous snakes
Law enforcement may take possession of any animal suspected of being dangerous. Law enforcement may hold the animal until a formal determination can be made of the extent of the danger such animal poses. If the animal has attacked or bitten a human or an animal pet, the formal determination shall include consultation with the department of health for the purposes of rabies control. Law enforcement may dispose of any animal so determined to be dangerous. For more information on prohibited species, please see the links below.
Keep in mind, just because an animal is legal to own in the state, it doesn’t mean the city you live in allows it. Many local cities and counties have their own restrictions on which animals are legal to keep, and which are not. Consider checking with your local city and/or county for their regulations regarding what pets you can and can’t own. It is your responsibility to comply with all local laws, ordinances and covenants before importing or possessing live wildlife.
For more information, please see the links below:
What Exotic Pets Are Legal In South Dakota – Eternal Pet