A. Prohibition: It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, harbor, sell, or in any manner to traffic in the following species of animals:
1. All poisonous snakes and poisonous reptiles, gila monsters, alligators, crocodiles, and caimans.
2. Gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, baboons, and any other primates.
3. Any species of feline not falling within the categories of ordinary domesticated house cats (felis catus) as established by the American Cat Association and/or the American Cat Fancier Association.
4. Bears of any species.
5. Raccoons, porcupines, skunks, badgers, and other furbearing animals, except ferrets (mustels furo).
6. Foxes, wolves, coyotes, or other species of canines other than canis familiaris. (1980 Code § 19-36)
B. Exceptions: This section shall not apply to any bona fide zoological garden, bona fide educational or medical institution, museum, veterinary hospital, wildlife rescue entity or wildlife rehabilitation entity with an appropriate permit from the state, any such animals under the jurisdiction of the commission, game breeders, a circus or carnival licensed by the city, nor shall it apply to a bona fide research institute or facility using wild, exotic or dangerous animals for scientific research. In addition, this section shall not apply to any primate trained and used to assist a disabled person. (1980 Code § 19-36; amd. 2015 Code)
C. Disposition Of Animals At Large:
1. In the event that a wild, exotic or dangerous animal is found at large, thereby creating a hazard to person or property, such animal may, at the discretion of the police department or the animal control officer, be destroyed if it cannot be captured or confined.
2. The city shall be under no duty to attempt to confine or capture a wild, exotic or dangerous animal found at large, nor shall the city have a duty to notify the owner of such an animal prior to its destruction.
D. Seizure Of Animals:
1. If a person is found to be keeping, sheltering, or harboring a wild, exotic or dangerous animal within the city, such animal may be seized immediately. An animal so seized shall be held for seven (7) days.
2. If the person keeping, sheltering or harboring the animal has not petitioned the court to seek the return of the animal by the end of the seven (7) day impoundment, the animal shelter shall seek to permanently place the animal with an organization exempt from the provisions of this section or the animal shelter shall euthanize the animal.
3. The animal shelter shall transfer any animal that requires special care to a person or facility capable of providing such care. (2008 Code § 19-36)