(a) (1) No person shall catch, kill, injure, pursue or have in his possession, either dead or alive, or purchase, expose for sale, transport or ship to a point within or without the City, or receive or deliver for transportation, any wild bird other than a game bird, or have in his or her possession any part of the plumage, skin or body of any wild bird other than a game bird, except as permitted in Ohio R.C. Chapters 1531 and 1533, or disturb or destroy the eggs, nest or young of such a bird.
(2) This section does not prohibit the lawful possession of any game bird during the open season for such bird. Hawks or owls causing damage to domestic animals or fowl may be killed by the owner of such domestic animals or fowl while such damage is occurring. Bald or golden eagles and ospreys shall not be killed or possessed at any time, except that eagles or ospreys may be possessed for educational purposes by governmental or Municipal zoological parks, museums and scientific or educational institutions. European starlings, English sparrows, common pigeons other than homing pigeons, and crows may be killed at any time, except Sunday, and their nests or eggs may be destroyed at any time. Blackbirds may be killed at any time, except Sunday, when doing damage to grain or other property or when they become a nuisance.
(3) Each bird or any part thereof taken or had in possession contrary to any of the provisions of this section shall constitute a separate offense.
(b) No person shall set or maintain a leg hold type trap for the purpose of capturing or killing any animal.
(c) This section shall not apply to any officer or employee of the City acting in accordance with any provision of these Codified Ordinances.
(d) Whoever violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(Ord. 079-47, passed 4-3-1979)