(A) Prohibited animals. No person shall bring into, keep, maintain, offer for sale or barter, or release anywhere in the city, any of the following animals:
(1) Any poisonous or venomous biting or injecting species of amphibian, arachnid or reptile, including snakes.
(2) Any snake not indigenous to this state and any snake over three feet long.
(B) Exceptions. This chapter shall not prohibit a circus or other entertainment organization, an educational, scientific or medical institution or the Department of Parks and Recreation, from keeping such animals where the same is securely and humanely confined.
(C) Seizure of animals. Any officer employed and authorized by the Health Department or any police or humane officer of the city shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter including, but not limited to, taking possession of any animal which the officer reasonably believes has been taken, employed, used or possessed in violation of this chapter. If the person in possession of such animal refuses to relinquish possession of the animal, the police officer or humane officer shall obtain an appropriate court order, with the assistance of the City Attorney, to obtain possession. This chapter shall not be interpreted to authorize or attempt to authorize entry into places not open to the public, without either the consent of the owner or person in possession or search warrant or other court order.
(D) Holding animals. Any animal seized shall be held by the animal control officer until that animal is identified to ascertain if the animal is an endangered species. At any time after such identification, the city may seek an order from a court for other care, custody and control of the animal. The city may also request the court to order the defendant to post a bond in an amount sufficient to satisfy the costs of holding the animal.
(E) Forfeiting possession. Anyone violating this chapter shall, in addition to any other penalty, forfeit the animal to the city Animal Control Officer for destruction or disposition. Prior to such forfeiture, the Health Department may direct a transfer of the animal to a qualified, zoological, educational, or scientific institution or qualified propagator for safekeeping, with costs assessed to the defendant.
(Ord. 2003-O-020, passed 8-11-03)