If you have a pet skunk, you better start your goodbyes now.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced that they will be expanding the list of dangerous animals, making it illegal to own them as pets.

It's already against the law for Hudson Valley residents to own alligators, caimans, venomous snakes, native bears, wolves, lions, tigers, leopards, large reptiles, and gorillas. But thanks to some high-profile cases of residents harboring dangerous animals, the DEC is planning to add even more animals to the list.

In July two crocodiles and 20 turtles were removed from a Wappingers Falls home.  Just a month later, the DEC learned that a Sullivan County mother and son were keeping two alligators as pets. The animals were discovered after they became too large for the family to care for.

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announced on Thursday that the department plans to expand the list of animals too dangerous to own as pets. According to a press release, the outlawed pets will include serval, caracal, Eurasian lynx, and all other non-endangered or threatened Felid species except domestic cats; arctic fox, swift fox, bat eared fox, and all other non-endangered or threatened Canid species except domestic dogs and the fennec fox; squirrel monkey, common marmoset, capuchin monkeys, and all other non-endangered or threatened non-human Primate species; Asian black bear, sun bear, spectacled bear; African forest elephant; Dwarf caiman; wolverine; badgers; bats; skunks; and raccoons.

These animals will not be allowed as pets, but zoos, game farms, and other private facilities may obtain permission to keep them for public viewing. More information about the proposed changes can be viewed on the DEC's website.

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