(a) No person who conducts a pet store business, or whose business includes the sale, breeding or keeping of reptiles, shall sell or offer to sell, or give, or offer as a promotion, any reptile unless such person gives to each prospective purchaser or acquirer of the reptile a notice substantially In the form set forth in division (c) of this section.
(b) No person who conducts a pet store business, or whose business includes the sale, breeding or keeping of reptiles shall fail to prominently post, at each place where reptiles are kept, displayed or housed, a notice of safe reptile handling practices substantially in the form set forth in division (c) of this section.
(c) The notice of safe reptile handling practices required by divisions (a) and (b) of this section shall be in substantially the following form:
“SAFE REPTILE HANDLING PRACTICES
(1) Reptiles carry salmonella bacteria, which can make people sick.
(2) Persons should always wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling reptiles or reptile cages.
(3) Persons at increased risk for infection or serious complications for salmonellosis (e.g. children, elderly, and immunocompromised persons) should avoid contact with reptiles.
(4) Pet reptiles should be kept out of households where children aged less than five (5) years, the elderly, and immunocompromised persons live. Families expecting a new child should remove the pet reptile from the home before the infant arrives.
(5) Pet reptiles should be kept out of kitchens and other food preparation areas to prevent contamination. Kitchen sinks should not be used to bathe reptiles or wash reptile dishes, cages, or aquariums. If bathtubs are used for the above purposes then they should be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected.
(6) Pet reptiles should not be kept in child care centers.
(7) Pet reptiles should not be allowed to roam freely throughout the home or living area.”
(Ord. No. 536-01. Passed 6-3-02, eff. 6-10-02)