(a) Definitions.
(1) Dangerous Animals. Any animal, reptile, mammal, bird or fowl which is carnivorous, poisonous and/or is not naturally tame, and/or is wild in nature, and/or because of it size, and/or wild nature or other characteristics constitutes a danger of human life.
(2) Endangered and protected Wildlife. Any species of animal including, but not limited to fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, or fowl that are listed by the United States Department of the Interior as being an endangered or protected species.
(3) Exotic Animals. Any animal, reptile, amphibian, mammal, bird or fowl that is not indigenous to the State of Ohio.
(4) Wild Animals. Any animal, reptile, amphibian, mammal, bird or fowl that generally lives in its original natural state and habitat and is not normally domesticated.
(b) Permit Required. No person, firm or corporation shall own, harbor, keep, breed sell or import into the Village any dangerous, exotic or wild animal until a zoning certificate has been obtained from the Village to do so.
(c) Endangered and Protected Wildlife. Unless specifically authorized by the United States Department of the Interior to do so, no person shall own, keep, breed, sell or import any endangered or protected wildlife within any zoning district within the Village
(d) Where Prohibited. Within any flood plain, residential, office/residential, office, business/commercial or industrial district, no person shall own, harbor, keep breed, sell or import any dangerous, exotic or wild animal(s).
(e) Where Permitted.
(1) Specific requirements.
A. There shall be a minimum site area of one (1) acre.
B. When located adjacent to any residential district, the animal shall not be located within one hundred (100) feet of any residential district.
C. All structures and buildings used to confine or house any animal shall be considered accessory structures and shall be located only in the rear yard.
D. The animal is maintained at all times in a safe, secure manner so as not to constitute a danger to human life.
E. Adequate safeguards are maintained that will prevent unauthorized access to any animal by the general public.
F. The keeping of any animal does not constitute a nuisance or health hazard.
G. The animal is kept in a manner that constitutes a humane condition, as outlined by the Humane Society of Logan County.
H. All federal, state and county licenses and/or permits have been obtained for each species of animal to be kept on the premises.
I. The owner of each exotic, dangerous or wild animal shall obtain an insurance policy from a company licensed to do business within the State of Ohio. The Certificate of insurance stating that the individual named thereon has a minimum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) of liability insurance. The liability insurance shall be payable to any claimant for any bodily injury, including death, resulting from contact with the dangerous, exotic or wild animal. The certificate of insurance shall provide that no cancellation of the policy shall be initiated unless thirty (30) day written notice is first given to the Village.
(2) Registration required. Before maintaining any dangerous, exotic or wild animal on any property within the Village, the property owner or person in charge of the property where such dangerous, exotic or wild animal is going to be kept shall submit to and register with the Village the following information:
A. The species name for each specific type of animal being maintained on the premises.
B. A description of each animal being maintained on the premises.
C. A copy of the bill of sale for the animal, indicating previous owner's name, where the animal was purchased and date of the sale.
D. A notarized statement attesting to the fact that the animal is not an endangered or protected species of wildlife.
E. A copy of the certificate of insurance for each animal as required in subsection (e)(1)I. hereof.
F. A copy of all federal, state and county licenses and/or permits required to keep dangerous, exotic or wild animals.
G. The security provisions that will be maintained to ensure the animal do not constitute a danger to human life.
H. The safeguards that will be maintained to prevent unauthorized access to the animal by the general public.
I. Plot plan showing the location each structure and/or building used to confine and/or house each animal.
(f) Review of Safeguards, Enclosure and Security Provisions. In reviewing the proposed safeguards, enclosure and security provisions that will be used to ensure the animal will not constitute a danger to human life and to prohibit access by the general public, the Village may employ such technical expertise in the reviewing of zoning certificate application for an dangerous, exotic or wild animal as needed to ensure the adequacy of the safeguards, enclosure and security provision. All costs incurred in the review process by outside consultants and/or experts will be passed through to the applicant.
(g) Exemptions and Special Provisions. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following:
(1) Dangerous, exotic or wild animals held by universities, research institutions, or government agencies when such animals are used for research.
(2) Any agency or institution having legal authority to possess dangerous, exotic or wild animals, and/or endangered and protected species of wildlife.
(Ord. 04-963. Passed 6-7-04.)