BRIDGEPORT, Conn.(CBSNewYork) - Some animals belong in a zoo — not in your home. Nevertheless, the lure of the exotic entices some people to take in pets that start out small and then grow to be gigantic and potentially dangerous.

Such is the reason for Exotic Animal Amnesty Day at Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, Connecticut on March 31. The event will be run by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

WCBS 880′S Sean Adams reports

Possessing such potentially harmful animals can lead to charges and fines, and there’s a dedicated police unit that tracks down these illegal pets.

“They have gone into people’s homes and taken out alligators, caimans, large snakes — all kinds of interesting reptiles,” Dennis Shane with Connecticut’s DEEP said. “And occasionally, it will be small, like serval cats, and other small wild cats.”

The purpose of the gathering on the 31st is to get owners to give up their illegal exotic pets in a safe, convenient environment. No questions will be asked once an owner’s pet is handed in.

Owners of illegal pets are instructed to hold on to them until Amnesty Day, as opposed to reaching out to DEEP beforehand.

Should owners be allowed to keep their exotic pets? Share your thoughts below…