(a) The hunting of animals or birds within the territorial limits of the City is prohibited. No person shall hunt, kill or attempt to kill any animals or birds by the use of firearm, bow and arrow, crossbow, or any other means that may endanger the life or safety of persons or cause the injury or destruction of property, except as follows:
(1) A police officer or animal warden in the discharge of his or her duties.
(2) Any person authorized by the Chief of Police while participating in a City authorized nuisance animal control program.
(3) A State of Ohio licensed nuisance animal trapper operating under the authority of an Ohio Division of Wildlife Deer Damage Control Permit and utilizing trapping in accordance with rules and regulations established by the Police Chief.
(b) No person shall set or maintain any trap within the Municipality except for nuisance animals in accordance with the following conditions:
(1) The trapping is conducted under the authority of the owner or lawful occupant of the premises upon which such trap is set or maintained.
(2) The trapping is conducted in accordance with all applicable State laws and the rules and regulations of the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
(3) The trapping of deer shall be conducted by licensed nuisance animal trappers operating under the authority of Ohio Division of Wildlife Deer Damage Control Permits and utilizing trapping in accordance with rules and regulations established by the Chief of Police.
(4) Steel jawed leg-hold traps are prohibited except that steel jawed leg-hold traps that have padded or rubberized coating on the jaws or multi-stranded cable snares may be used by licensed nuisance animal trappers for the trapping of coyotes on property within the Municipality on the condition that the contiguous property owners shall be informed of the presence of such traps.
(5) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein only cage type live traps employed for the control of nuisance animals shall be permitted.
(6) The provisions of this section do not apply to the use of any trap specifically designed to kill rats, mice, or moles.
(c) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree and shall be subject to the penalty provided in Section 698.02.
(Ord. 2007-48. Passed 6-20-07.)