(A)
WILD ANIMAL. Any living wild or potentially dangerous mammal, reptile, fowl, or other vertebrate species which is not naturally tame or gentle, but is of a wild nature or disposition and not customarily domesticated, and which because of its characteristics may constitute a danger to human life or property if it escaped from secure quarters. A wild animal shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) All poisonous snakes;
(2) Bears (Ursidae);
(3) Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus);
(4) Birds of prey, eagles, falcons, hawks, owls (falconiformes);
(5) Coyotes and coyotes-dog hybrids (Canids);
(6) Elephants (Elephas and Loxodonts);
(7) Hyenas (Hyaenides);
(8) Jaguars (Panthera onca);
(9) Leopards (Panthera pardus);
(10) Lions (Panthera leo);
(11) Lynxes (lynx);
(12) Pumas, also known as cougars, mountain lions and panthers (Felis concolor);
(13) Primates (non-human) apes, monkeys, baboons, chimpanzees, gibbons, gorillas, orangutans, siamangs;
(14) Tigers (Panthera tigris);
(15) Wolf-dog hybrids (canis lupus); and
(16) Wild cats, ocelot, margay, servral, leopard cat.
(B) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to keep or maintain a wild animal, either inside or outside a structure, within the city, with the following exceptions:
(1) Temporary events such as a circus, sporting event or zoo exhibition where the animals or mascots are handled by trained professional caretakers.
(2) Retail pet stores, with all proper licenses, located in a commercial zoning district.
(3) Any fish or similar aquatic vertebrates bred to remain in a confined body of water.
(4) Any domestic, non-farm animal including, but not limited to dogs, cats or ferrets.
(C) Any person violating this section shall be deemed guilty of a minor misdemeanor for the first offense. For the second and subsequent violations of this section, the violator shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. In addition, the court may order the wild animal transferred to an appropriate zoological or similar facility. If this is not practical, as an alternative, the court may order the wild animal humanely destroyed by a qualified veterinarian.
(Ord. 17-1994, passed 6-6-94)