(A) For the purpose of this section, the following definition applies unless the context clearly requires a different meaning.
WILD, EXOTIC, DANGEROUS ANIMAL OR REPTILE. An animal of the larger variety which is usually not a domestic animal and which can normally be found in a wild state, with or without mean or vicious propensities, including, but not limited to, lions, tigers, leopards, panthers, lynxes, bears, wolves, alligators, crocodiles, apes, foxes, elephants, rhinoceroses, all forms of poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes, including those considered dangerous such as boas and pythons, raccoons, skunks, monkeys and other like animals.
(B) It is unlawful to keep or harbor any wild, exotic, dangerous animal or reptile in the town as a pet or for display or exhibition purposes, whether gratuitously or for a fee, except as provided in this section.
(C) No person or persons shall keep and maintain or allow to be maintained any wild animal or reptile within the town. This includes private residences and all businesses and public displays within the town.
(D) The person or persons excepted from division (C) above shall be:
(1) Duly-authorized and licensed circuses or educational institutions;
(2) Agents or employees properly authorized by an educational institution to keep and maintain that institution’s animals in connection with any lawful experimental or research program;
(3) Zoological gardens; and
(4) Zoos which are supervised and publicly maintained.
(E) (1) If the owner of any wild, exotic, dangerous animal or reptile can establish to the Police Department’s satisfaction that an animal ordinarily considered as wild, dangerous or exotic is not dangerous to people or other animals and that the animal is healthy, safe and tame as a pet, then the Town Clerk-Treasurer may issue a permit to the owner to keep such animal or reptile in the town limits. The annual permit fee shall be as set by the Town Board.
(2) The establishment of whether such animal or reptile is healthy, safe and tame as a pet shall be the responsibility of the owner of the animal or reptile by submitting written evidence to the Police Department. No permit shall be granted by the Clerk-Treasurer unless written approval of the evidence submitted by the owner is submitted to the Clerk-Treasurer in advance.
(3) For any animal or reptile so permitted as provided in this section, the owner agrees to accept full responsibility for the actions and behavior of such animal or reptile.
(F) The town may issue temporary permits for the keeping, care and protection of an infant animal or reptile native to the area which has been deemed to be homeless. The town shall have the power to release or order the release of any infant wild animal or reptile kept under temporary permit which is deemed capable of survival.
(Prior Code, § 4-160) Penalty, see § 95.99