(a) Definitions.
(1) Dangerous animal. Any animal other than domestic dogs and cats, which in its wild state is carnivorous or which because of its nature or physical makeup is capable of inflicting serious physical harm or death to human beings or otherwise presents a risk of serious physical harm or death to human beings as a result of its nature or physical makeup as the City Manager, in consultation with the Police Chief and applicable animal warden, is determined to be a dangerous animal.
(2) Own, harbor or keep. To have legal title to or control or custody over any dangerous animal in the municipality, except as otherwise provided in division (c) below.
(3) Serious physical harm. Has the same meaning as contained in Ohio R.C. 2901.01(E).
(4) Prohibited animal. Any animal that is prohibited in the municipality as set forth in division (b) below.
(b) Prohibition. Except as provided in division (c) below, no person shall own, keep or harbor any dangerous animal in the municipality.
(c) Exceptions.
(1) Medical and educational institutions. The provisions of divisions (a), (b) and (e) hereof shall not apply to prohibited or dangerous animals kept at medical and educational institutions if:
A. Their locations and uses conform to the requirements of the Zoning Code;
B. All animals and animal quarters are kept in a clean and sanitary condition and are so maintained as to eliminate objectionable odors;
C. The animals are maintained in quarters so constructed as to prevent their escape; and
D. No person lives or resides within 100 feet of the quarters in which the animals are kept.
(2) Agricultural uses. The provisions of divisions (a), (b) and (e) of this section shall not apply to agricultural husbandry, done in conformance with the Zoning Code, of farm animals such as, but not limited to, livestock, poultry and horses.
(3) Circus and commercial exhibitions. The provisions of divisions (a), (b) and (e) of this section shall not apply to circus or commercial exhibitions of dangerous or prohibited animals done in accordance with the Zoning Code and the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 9.
(d) Enforcement. Any person, officer, agent or employee of an organization who has any living dangerous or prohibited animal within the Municipality shall remove the same from the Municipality within 30 days from the effective date of this section.
(e) Penalty. Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor for a first offense and a misdemeanor of the fourth degree for each subsequent offense. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
(Ord. 90-49. Passed 8-21-90; Ord. 2008-62. Passed 10-21-08.)