Certain animals kept within the City produce odor, danger and other conditions adverse to the best interests of the community as a whole and constitute a nuisance which must be abated.
(a) Definitions. As used in this section, the following words shall have the meaning indicated herein:
(1) "Rat" means any rodent of the Rattus family.
(2) "Snake" means any member of the snake family capable of producing venom harmless to man and/or belonging to the boa constrictor family.
(3) "Cat" means any member of the large cat family, Felidae, including, but not limited to, lion, tiger, jaguar and cougar, but excluding the domestic cat, Felis catus.
(b) Prohibitions.
(1) No person shall own, keep, harbor or otherwise have control of any rat, snake or cat at any premises, or on any property, private or public, within the corporate boundaries of the City, regardless of size or location of the premises or property or design thereof.
(2) No person shall bring or cause to be brought on or to any public park, street, public right of way, sidewalk or other place within the City, any rat, snake or cat.
(c) Exceptions.
(1) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any circus or carnival which has posted with the City a bond or insurance policy not less than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in value.
(2) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any recognized educational institution or licensed doctor of veterinary medicine who has posted with the City a bond or insurance policy not less than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in value.
(d) Penalties.
(1) Whoever violates subsection (b) hereof is guilty of a fourth degree misdemeanor.
(2) Any violation of this section shall constitute a nuisance which shall be subject to abatement as provided by State law.
(Ord. 5713-84. Passed 7-13-84.)