Crocodiles Among Many Banned Animals In Ross

ROSS TOWNSHIP, PA - You can legally own chickens in the township, but you’ll be cited if you have a pet crocodile.

You might not think that township commissioners would have had to formally outlaw people from owning crocodiles in Ross. But a quarter of a century ago, they did that and more.

In 1993, they passed a sweeping ordinance banning a variety of animals that would be much more likely to be found on a farm or in the jungle rather than the wilds of a Ross Park Mall parking lot.

In case you were wondering, you're risking a fine of as much as $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail if you keep, maintain or have in possession or under control in Ross any of the following creatures:

• Poisonous animals.

• Apes, chimpanzees, gibbons, gorillas, orangutans or baboons.

• Bears.

• Bisons.

• Cheetahs.

• Crocodiles.

• Constrictor snakes.

• Coyotes.

• Deer.

• Elephants.

• Game cocks and other fighting birds.

• Hyenas.

• Jaguars.

• Leopards.

• Lions.

• Lynxes.

• Ostriches.

• Pumas also known as cougars, mountain lions and panthers.

• Swine.

• Tigers.

• Wolves.

• Pigs.

• Hogs.

If you wanted a pet ostrich, this news obviously will disappoint. But at least you can raise chickens if you want.

Image via Shutterstock.