A. It shall be unlawful for any person to own or keep an exotic animal as defined in subsection 6.7.111A of this article without obtaining a permit, or for any person whose exotic animal permit has been revoked to continue to own or keep the exotic animal. Any person violating this subsection upon conviction may be punished as provided in section 1.1.201 of this Code. In addition, any exotic animal held in violation of this subsection may be impounded.
B. Any exotic animal impounded pursuant to subsection A of this section may be redeemed upon payment of the applicable redemption fee pursuant to sections 6.10.105 and 6.10.106 of this chapter. No exotic animal which has been impounded may be redeemed until an exotic animal permit has first been obtained. The right to redeem shall not apply to persons whose application for an exotic animal permit has been denied or whose permit has been revoked.
C. Any exotic animal which has been impounded pursuant to this section and which has not been redeemed within ten (10) days from the date of impoundment may be adopted by any person provided that person pays all applicable redemption fees and that person first obtains an exotic animal permit for the animal. In the event that an impounded exotic animal is not redeemed or adopted within a reasonable time, the animal may be sold or donated to a zoo or other qualified organization or may be humanely destroyed at the discretion of the animal shelter operator. (1980 Code; Ord. 91-32; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 03-31)