(a) Definitions.
(1) “Wild animals” means any warm blooded non-domestic animal which is indigenous to the State of Ohio and capable of transmitting rabies. An offspring born to wild animals bred with domestic dogs or cats will be considered as wild animals.
(2) “Exotic animals” means other wild animals not indigenous to Ohio.
(3) “Feral” means any domestic animal living in the wild state.
(4) “Pocket pets” means small pets such as hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, domestic rabbits, white rats, mice, etc.
(b) Rabies Immunization and Quarantine. No person shall:
(1) Own, keep, harbor or have charge of any dog or cat over six months of age unless such dog or cat shall have been immunized against rabies as required by the regulations of the Delaware County Board of Health.
(2) Immunize any wild animals against rabies.
(3) Fail to display a current rabies immunization tag on dog or cat’s collar, harness, leash, or similar device. Lack of display shall be prima-facie evidence of lack of immunization. Lack of immunization shall subject such dog or cat to impoundment.
(4) Whenever any animal bites any person, a police officer or the animal control officer may order such animal quarantined for a period extending not longer than ten days from the time of the biting. No owner or person in custody or in possession of such animal shall fail to comply with such quarantine order. All expenses incurred for keeping of such animal or the necessary tests to determine whether or not rabies exists shall be borne, exclusively by the owner or the keeper of such animal. No person, having knowledge of the existence of any rabid animal or the fact that any animal has bitten any other person, shall fail to, immediately report such information to a police officer or the Delaware County Animal Control Officer.
(c) Wild or Exotic Animals.
(1) Prohibitions. No person shall own, possess, or harbor any wild, feral, or exotic animal in the Village.
(2) Exemptions. This section does not apply to the following exemptions and special provisions.
A. Pocket pets.
B. Touring animal exhibitions, circuses, veterinarians, employees of municipally owned Zoos kept in the authorized performance of their duties with written verification, and notice of such possession supplied to the Police Department.
C. Wild animals purchased or adopted prior to adoption of this section, provided that a bill of sale and/or license issued by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, which verifies this date, can be provided.
(d) Penalty. Whoever violates this section shall be guilty of harboring wild or exotic animals, a minor misdemeanor. Strict liability is intended to be imposed for violation of this section.
(Ord. 5-89. Passed 7-24-89.)