(a) Notification.
(1) For the purpose of this section "notify" means calling the animal control unit during normal business hours, or the police department during non-business hours, and speaking with a staff member.
(2) At least 24 hours prior to importing, locating or placing an exotic or wild animal within the corporate limits of the town, the owner of the animal shall notify the animal control unit or the police department. At the time of notification, the owner shall also provide copies of any required federal or state permits for the exotic or wild animal.
(3) Immediately (and in no event beyond one hour) following any of the following incidents involving an exotic or wild animal, the owner of the animal shall notify the animal control unit (or the police department) about the incident:
a. An assault, attack or biting upon any human being committed by an exotic or wild animal;
b. An attack or biting upon any domesticated animal or pet by an exotic or wild animal if the injured domesticated animal or pet is not also the property of the owner of the exotic or wild animal;
c. The destruction of, or damage to, property of any other person committed by an exotic or wild animal;
d. The roaming or escape of an exotic or wild animal that is required to be restrained or confined.
(b) Permit required to own; confinement and control. It shall be unlawful for any owner of any exotic or wild animal to keep or maintain any such animal within the town unless any required federal and/or state permits have been obtained and are currently valid for the time period and circumstances under which the exotic or wild animal will be maintained within the town, and the animal is:
(1) Confined within a humane and secure enclosure, as approved by the animal control officer, in accordance with humane practices; or
(2) Securely muzzled, if required, and under restraint by a competent person who, by means of a leash, chain, rope or other device suitable to adequately restrain the particular exotic or wild animal, has such animal firmly under control at all times.
(c) Confiscation. Any exotic or wild animal which is not properly restrained or secured as required by this section, or which has injured or endangered any person or property, or which does not have currently valid federal or state permits, may be confiscated by any animal control officer or police officer and kept and harbored at the expense of the owner determined to be in violation of this section.
(d) Slaying of animal in certain circumstances. Any exotic or wild animal which has escaped, is running at large, or is otherwise deemed to be a continuing threat to the public safety may be slain by any police officer or animal control officer if attempts to capture the animal are unsuccessful or if immediate capture is not practical or reasonably possible.
(e) Penalty. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, and in addition to confiscation of the animal as set forth above, violation of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor. A police officer or animal control officer may initiate the criminal process.
(Code 1982, § 4-11; Ord. No. 01-022, § 1, 11-8-2001; Ord. No. 2008-Code-04, 10-16-2008)