(A) Unlawful act. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, maintain, possess or have under his control within the county any venomous reptile or any other wild or exotic animal.
(B) Exceptions.
(1) This section shall not apply to lawfully operated and located pet shops, zoological gardens, scientific research laboratories, circuses, veterinarians harboring such animals for purposes of providing professional medical treatment, wildlife rehabilitators with proper permits and certification, or exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture displaying such animals for educational purposes, provided that the animals are maintained in a manner so as to prevent escape.
(2) This section shall not apply to herbivores, securely confined in fence or other enclosure such that they cannot escape and be at a location off the tract of real property on which they are confined.
(C) Compliance with state and federal regulations and safe confinement. The confinement of exotic or wild animals exempted from division (A) of this section by division (B) of this section must meet the regulations promulgated by the state wildlife commission, the minimum standards under the Animal Welfare Act and all applicable rules promulgated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In addition to meeting these minimum standards, all such venomous reptiles and all such wild or exotic animals shall be confined, restrained or controlled in such a manner so that the physical safety, or property, of any person lawfully entering the premises shall not be endangered.
(D) Presence on public rights-of-way. Animals described under division (A) of this section but exempt under division (B) of this section shall not be allowed on any public street, sidewalk, or other public way, except in a fully enclosed cage or adequate structural restraint. The use of a leash, with or without a muzzle, shall not be considered adequate restraint. Exempt from this division are animals that are part of a featured performance at a special event with a county or town festival or parade permit where the animal handler is licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
(Ord. passed 9-16-2021) Penalty, see § 91.99