(a) No person shall do any of the following:
(1) Being the owner or person having care, custody or control, permit any dangerous animals to run at large or lead any dangerous animal with a chain, rope or other appliance, whether it is muzzled or unmuzzled, in any street or public place.
(2) Keep or harbor any poisonous snake, python, boa constrictor or other constrictor type snake larger than two feet long, anywhere in the City.
(b) "Dangerous animal" shall include any animal which in a wild state is carnivorous or which because of its nature or physical makeup is capable of inflicting serious physical harm or death to human beings.
(c) Law enforcement officers are authorized to kill and destroy any animal described in this section if such animal is found upon any sidewalk, street, alley or public place of the City, upon any lot or premises in the City other than that occupied by the harborer or keeper of such animal, or, in order to prevent serious physical harm to persons or property, upon the lot or premises occupied by the harborer or keeper of such animal.
(d) A permanent zoological park or carnivals, menageries, circuses and similar transient shows licensed by the City pursuant to Chapter 713
are exempt from prosecution under the provisions of this section.
(e) Whoever violates this section is guilty of keeping a dangerous animal, a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(f) Strict liability is intended to be imposed for a violation of this section.
(Ord. 68-88. Passed 5-23-88.)