618.13 NUISANCE CONDITIONS PROHIBITED.

   (a)   No person shall keep or harbor any animal or fowl in the Municipality so as to create noxious or offensive odors or unsanitary conditions which are a menace to the health, comfort or safety of the public.

(Ord. 1570. Passed 10-3-66.)

   (b)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

618.14 BARKING OR HOWLING DOGS.

   (a)   It is hereby declared a nuisance for any person to keep or harbor any dog which howls or barks to the annoyance of the inhabitants of the City, and no person shall create, continue, contribute to or suffer such nuisance to exist.

(Ord. 1341. Passed 10-15-56.)

   (b)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor and shall be subject to the penalty provided in Section 698.02.

618.15 IMPOUNDING OF DOGS AND CATS.

   (a)   A police officer or animal warden may impound every dog or other animal found in violation of Section 618.01. If the impounded dog is not wearing a valid registration tag, the dog shall forthwith be turned over to an officer charged by law with the custody and disposal of such dogs. If the dog is wearing a valid registration tag or the identity of the owner or harborer is otherwise established, notice shall immediately be given to such owner or harborer that the dog has been impounded. Notice may be by telephone or by ordinary mail to the last known address of such owner or harborer. The dog shall not be released except upon the payment of reasonable expenses for its taking and keeping. Any dog not redeemed within three days of the time it is seized or impounded may be sold or otherwise disposed of as provided by Ohio R.C. 955.16.

   (b)   A record of all dogs impounded, the disposition of the same, the owner’s name and address, if known, and a statement of any costs or receipts involving such dog shall be kept.

618.16 HUNTING PROHIBITED.

   (a)   Except as hereinafter provided the hunting of animals or fowl within the Municipality is prohibited. No person shall hunt, kill or attempt to kill any animal or fowl by the use of firearms or any other means. However, nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the killing of rats and other undesirable rodents authorized to be killed by the Chief of Police using means for such killing which are also authorized by the Chief, and nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit hunting on real estate that has been designated Farmland in an Agricultural District under Ohio R.C. 929.02.

   (b)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

(Ord. 6-2008. Passed 3-24-08.)

618.17 DANGEROUS OR EXOTIC ANIMALS.

   (a)   Prohibition. No person shall shelter, exhibit, market, raise, harbor, breed, maintain or have in his or her possession or under his or her control within the City any dangerous or exotic animal, unless said dangerous or exotic animal is confined securely indoors.

   (b)   Definitions. As used in this section:

      (1)   “Animal” means a live and vertebrate creature, insect, fowl or reptile.

      (2)   “Dangerous or exotic animal” means and includes any wild mammal, insect, reptile or fowl which is not naturally tame or gentle, but is of a wild nature or disposition, and which, because of its size, vicious nature or other characteristics, would constitute a danger to human life or property.

      (3)   “Harbor” means to feed or shelter an animal.

      (4)   “Market” means to buy, sell or otherwise deal in a wild or exotic animal, either wholesale or retail.

      (5)   “Wild” means an animal which generally lives in its original and natural state and is not normally domesticated.

   (c)   Types. Dangerous or exotic animals include, but are not limited to:

      (1)   Any poisonous animals, fish, reptiles or insects;

      (2)   Alligators;

      (3)   Apes, chimpanzees, givvons, gorillas, orangutans and siamangs;

      (4)   Baboons;

      (5)   Bears;

      (6)   Bisons;

      (7)   Bobcats;

      (8)   Cheetahs;

      (9)   Crocodilian;

      (10)   Constriction snakes;

      (11)   Coyotes;

      (12)   Deer;

      (13)   Elephants;

      (14)   Foxes;

      (15)   Game cocks and other fighting birds;

      (16)   Hippopotami;

      (17)   Hyenas;

      (18)   Jaguars;

      (19)   Leopards;

      (20)   Lions;

      (21)   Lynxes;

      (22)   Ostriches;

      (23)   Piranha fish;

      (24)   Pumas, also known as cougars, mountain lions and panthers;

      (25)   Rhinoceroses;

      (26)   Sharks;

      (27)   Poisonous spiders;

      (28)   Snow leopards;

      (29)   Tigers; and

      (30)   Wolves.

   (d)   Exceptions. This section does not apply to:

      (1)   Any person while transporting any animal, fish, fowl or reptile through the City, provided that such animal, fish, fowl or reptile is adequately restrained to avoid injury to persons or damage to property;

      (2)   The keeping of such animals in a bona fide licensed veterinary hospital for treatment;

      (3)   The keeping of such animals in a bona fide educational or medical institution, museum or other place where they are kept as live specimens for public view or for the purpose of instruction or study;

      (4)   Dangerous or poisonous reptiles maintained by bona fide educational or medical institutions for the purpose of instruction or study, provided such reptiles are securely confined; or

      (5)   Any official police canine dog.

   (e)   Penalty. Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.

(Ord. 30-2005. Passed 11-14-05.)