(a) No person shall market, at wholesale or retail, any wild or exotic animal or fur-bearing quadruped. Exceptions to this prohibition include those animals native to the farm and sold at auction or by private sale, such as horses, cattle, swine and poultry, and those animals sold by pet dealers or by private sale, such as domestic cats, domestic dogs, domestic rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchilla, mice, hamsters, gerbils, psittacine birds and nonpoisonous, noncamivorous fish.
(b) No person shall own or harbor any wild or exotic animal.
(1) Exceptions to this prohibition are touring animal exhibitions, circuses, veterinarians (for the purpose of medical treatment), educational research facilities, aid for handicapped persons or persons licensed or permitted by the State.
(2) Animals which may be owned or harbored are those animals native to the farm, such as horses, cattle, swine and poultry, as well as domestic cats, domestic dogs, domestic rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchilla, mice, hamsters, gerbils, psittacine birds or noncamivorous fish.
(3) Persons who presently own or harbor an exotic or wild animal may keep the animal until the animal's death or until its ownership is transferred outside of the City. However, no such person shall keep any such animal unless he or she registers the same with the City Manager or his or her designate.
(4) Permission may be given by the City Manager or his or her designate for a person to temporarily keep, care or protect a wild animal native to Ohio which has been deemed to be homeless, provided it is under the care of a licensed veterinarian.
(c) Any animal found to be in violation of this section may be impounded by the City Animal Control Officer and placed in a designated shelter or with a licensed veterinarian. The expenses of impounding, maintenance and destruction of such animal shall be the responsibility of the owner or other person having charge or control of such animal.
(d) Whoever violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
(Ord. 6612. Passed 10-4-16.)