(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
“DANGEROUS ANIMAL.” Any animal potentially threatening to humans and not ordinarily a companion animal of humans that may or may not be considered non-indigenous to the United States, including, but not limited to, all animals in the following classes:
(a) Class Mammalia.
1. Animals from the Mammalia class identified as dangerous include:
a. Infraclass Metatheria (Marsupialia) (examples include: opossums, kangaroos, wallabies).
b. Infraclass Eutheria (Placentalia).
i. Order Artiodactyla (examples include: hippopotamuses, giraffes, camels, deer).
ii. Order Insectivora (examples include: shrews, moles, hedgehogs).
iii. Order Scandentia (examples include: tree shrews).
iv. Order Dennoptera (examples include: colugos).
v. Order Chiroptera (examples include: bats).
vi. Order Carnivora.
A. Family Felidae (examples include: lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, ocelots, servals).
B. Family Canidae (examples include: wolves, coyotes, foxes, jackals).
C. Family Ursidae (examples include: bears).
D. Family Mustelidae (examples include: weasels, martins, minks).
E. Family Procyonidae (examples include: coatis, ringtail cats).
F. Family Hyaenidae (examples include: hyenas, aardwolf).
G. Family Viverridae (examples include: civets, genets).
H. Family Herpestidae (examples include: mongooses).
vii. Order Cetacea (examples include: whales, dolphins).
viii. Order Sirenia (examples include: dugongs, manatees).
ix. Order Hyracoidea (examples include: hyraxes).
x. Order Edentatia (examples include: anteaters, armadillos, sloths).
xi. Order Tubulidentata (examples include: aardvarks).
xii. Order Pholidota (examples include: pangolins, spiny anteaters).
xiii. Order Perissodactyla (examples include: rhinoceroses, tapirs).
xiv. Order Primates (examples include: lemurs, monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas).
xv. Order Proboscidae (examples include: elephants).
xvi. Order Rodentia (examples include: squirrels, beavers, porcupines).
xvii. Order Macroscelididae (examples include: elephant-shrews).
2. Exemptions. Animals belonging to the Orders listed in IA that are not considered dangerous for purposes of this section include: cattle, swine, sheep, goats, domestic cats, domestic dogs, ferrets, sugar gliders, horses, donkeys, mules, guinea pigs, domestic rats, mice, gerbils, hamsters, skunks, and raccoons.
(b) Class Reptilla.
1. Animals from the Reptilla class identified as dangerous include:
a. Order Squamata.
i. Family Varanidae (only large monitors exceeding two kilograms are restricted).
ii. Family Iguanaidae. Subfamily Iguaninae (all species whose adults can exceed one kilogram are restricted).
iii. Family Biodae and Family Pythonidae (all species whose adult length has the potential to exceed eight feet in length are restricted).
iv. Family Colubridae (only boomslangs, Boiga brown tree snakes, and African twig snakes are restricted). Subfamily Nactricinae (only keelback snakes are restricted).
v. Family Elapidae (examples include: coral snakes, cobras, mambas).
vi. Family Helodermatidae (examples include: gila monsters).
vii. Family Viperidae (examples include: copperheads, cottonmouths, rattlesnakes).
viii. Family Atractaspididae (examples include: mole vipers and stilleto snakes).
b. Order Crocodilia.
i. Family Gavialidae.
ii. Family Alligitoridae.
iii. Family Crocodylidae.
2. Exemptions. Animals belonging to the orders listed in (b)1. that are not considered dangerous for purposes of this section include: Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana).
(c) Class Amphibia. Animals from the Amphibia class that are considered dangerous include: Order Anura. Family Dendrobatidae (only Dendrobates and Phyllobates are restricted).
“ZOOLOGICAL PARK.” Any organization that is a member of the American Zoo or Aquarium Association
(B) No person shall own, harbor, sell, or keep as a pet a dangerous animal except in strict accordance with this section.
(1) Persons and organizations exempt from this prohibition include: zoological parks, properly licensed transient animal exhibits, circuses, licensed veterinarians, licensed caregivers to wild animals, state or federally licensed rescue societies, colleges, universities, high schools, elementary schools, research institutions, owners of birds of prey in compliance with all state and federal regulations, persons possessing state or federal commercial or noncommercial captive wildlife permits, and persons with appropriate state and federal permits for owning animals approved for sale and retention.
(2) Should a student or employee need to temporarily house a dangerous animal at his or her residence a supervisor (department head, superintendent, or director) of the school or institution responsible for the animal must provide written certification of the need to temporarily keep the animal(s) at a personal residence as part of his or her job duties.
(C) Breeding dangerous animals, even if with a domesticated animal, is prohibited.
(Ord. 1996-12, passed 9-3-96; Am. Ord. 2005-2, passed 2-1-05) Civil offense, see § 38.15