Notwithstanding the prohibitions contained within the Coshocton City Code regarding animals, one therapy animal as defined herein may be kept at any residence with the City if kept in compliance with all of the following.
(a) Definition. A therapy animal is a domesticated animal that has been developed to live in and about the habitation of humans, is trained, is dependent on humans for food and shelter and is kept for pleasure, support or therapy rather than utility or commercial purposes and which is normally kept within a residence as part of the family household, or within the limits of a residential property, whether fenced or not, or which may temporarily be tethered out of doors, or which may be walked off the residential property when leashed. A rooster shall not be considered a therapy animal.
(b) Sanitation. The owner or custodian of any therapy animal shall maintain the premises wherein such animal is kept in a clean and sanitary condition, free from rodents, vermin and disagreeable odors.
(c) License.
(1) Any person who keeps a therapy animal in the City shall obtain a license from the City prior to acquiring the animal. Application shall be made to the Mayor accompanied by a fee of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00). Proof of insurance for the keeping of the therapy animal shall be supplied with the application, insuring the animal for any and all damages it may cause.
(2) The animal must bear a pennanent marking, tag, band, etc., for identification purposes and suitable picture of the marking must be supplied at the time of application.
(3) A current health certificate from a licensed veterinarian which attests to the weight and general health of the animal must be supplied at time of application.
(4) A copy of a prescription from a licensed physician or psychologist attesting to the need for the therapy animal must be supplied at time of application.
(5) The Mayor shall approve or disapprove of all applications for a therapy animal. Anyone aggrieved by the decision of the Mayor may appeal said decision to the City Council.
(6) Licenses expire and become invalid one year after issuance.
(d) Enclosures. Any outside enclosures for the keeping of therapy animals shall not be located closer than fifty (50) feet from any property line. Any enclosures or facilities for keeping of therapy animals shall be subject to inspection by City personnel.
(e) Violation of this section is a minor misdemeanor. Each day's violation constitutes a separate offense. A second conviction under this ordinance is considered a fourth degree misdemeanor. (Ord. 56-21. Passed 12-13-21.)