(a) No person shall keep, harbor, care for, be custodian of, or maintain in his or her possession any dangerous animal, except at a property maintained as a zoological park, licensed exhibit, circus, scientific or educational institution, research laboratory, veterinary hospital, or animal refuse in an escaped proof enclosure. Any owner of property shall be in violation of this section where any dangerous animals are present.
(b) (1) “Dangerous animal” means any animal other than domestic dogs or cats, which in a wild state is carnivorous or which because of their nature or physical makeup are capable of inflicting serious physical harm or death to human beings, including but not limited to such animals which belong to the cat family, snakes which are poisonous, or otherwise present a risk of serious physical harm or death to human beings as a result of their nature or physical make up, including all constrictors; and or poisonous or life threatening reptiles.
(2) A “person” means any firm, association, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity.
(3) “Owner” means any person any person who has a right of property in a dangerous animal, keeps or harbors such dangerous animal, or has a dangerous animal in his or her care, or acts as custodian or such a dangerous animal.
(c) It is no defense that the person violating such section, has attempted to domesticate the dangerous animal. If there appears to be imminent danger to the public, any dangerous animal not in compliance with the provisions in this section shall be subject to immediate seizure. The owner shall be responsible for all costs connected with the seizure and confiscation of such animal. Such animal shall be maintained and secure in approved facilities, pending disposition of the animal. Approved facilities include but are not limited to, a zoological park, federally licensed exhibit, humane society, veterinary hospital or animal refuse.
(Ord. 117. Passed 4-26-61; Ord. 409. Passed 12-15-14.)