Every owner of a wild or exotic animal or poisonous reptile shall be subject to the following regulations.
(A) Permit. No owner may keep a wild or exotic animal or poisonous reptile in the county without first obtaining and then maintaining all permits required by the federal government, the state, and county. Any non-resident of the county who brings a wild or exotic animal or poisonous reptile into this county for a period of at least 24 hours shall obtain a temporary permit from animal protective services. Any non-resident of the county who brings a wild or exotic animal or poisonous reptile into this county for short periods of time but on a regular basis must obtain an annual permit. What constitutes a regular basis shall be in the sole discretion of the Sheriff.
(B) Application. An owner of a wild or exotic animal or poisonous reptile must complete an application, which shall be supplied by animal protective services. The application once completed shall contain the following information:
(1) Name, address, and telephone number of the applicants;
(2) If a corporation, the state of incorporation, the address of the principal office, and the names and addresses of its officers;
(3) If an entity other than a corporation, the name thereof, the location of its office, and the names and addresses of the principal officers, directors, trustees, or managing officials or partners;
(4) Statement of the owner’s purpose in keeping the animal or reptile;
(5) The place of origin of the animal or classes of animals or reptile or classes of reptiles;
(6) A description of the animal or reptile including species;
(7) The address of the premises where the animal or reptile will be kept;
(8) A description of the method, materials, and square footage of facilities for confinement of the animal or reptile;
(9) Proof of the applicant’s ability to respond in damages for bodily injury or death of any person or for damages to property owned by another person which may result from the ownership, keeping, or maintenance of such animal or reptile. Proof of ability to respond in damages shall be given by filing with animal services a certificate of insurance from an insurance company authorized to do business in the state stating that the applicant is insured by a policy with a minimum coverage of $100,000 per person and a minimum total of $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, in addition, the policy must contain a minimum coverage of $50,000 for damage to personal or real property. In lieu of insurance, the owner may post with animal services a surety bond in the same amounts, conditioned upon payment of such damages. Such certificate of insurance or bond shall provide that no cancellation of the insurance or bond will be made unless ten days’ written notice is first given to animal services;
(10) Copies of all federal and state permits and licenses required for such animal or reptile;
(11) A schedule of the personnel who will service and maintain the enclosure or confinement facility;
(12) Keeper’s training and experience with animals and reptiles, especially the species stated on the application;
(13) A list of tranquilizing equipment, chemicals, and instruments of destruction and a statement of whether or not the owner has knowledge or training with regards to appropriate and correct use; and
(14) Any other information the Sheriff deems necessary.
(C) Inspection and issuance of permit. Upon completion of the application, the Sheriff shall make an inspection of the enclosure or confinement facility to determine whether or not it is adequate for the purpose of restraining and confining the particular species of animal or poisonous reptile for which the permit is requested. The Sheriff shall also determine whether or not the enclosure or confinement facility can be maintained in a sanitary fashion and whether or not the enclosure or facility is designed to prevent injury to the animal or reptile and persons who may come onto the premises where the enclosure or facility is located. If it is determined by the Sheriff that the application has been correctly, truthfully, and accurately completed and the enclosure or facility is secure and can be maintained in a sanitary way, he or she shall issue a permit upon payment of the applicable fee by the applicant. It shall be a condition of issuance of the permit that the Sheriff shall be permitted to inspect the enclosure or facility and the animal or reptile at any time. Inspections shall be made at least annually.
(D) Permit period. The permit period shall begin with the fiscal year (July 1) of each year and shall run for one year. Renewal applications for permits shall be made 30 days prior to the start of the fiscal year. An application for a new permit may be filed at any time during the year.
(E) Permittee. The permittee shall be $100. This fee may be changed by the Board of County Commissioners from time to time. The fee shall be for the fiscal year or part thereof. The permit fee shall be collected by the Sheriff.
(F) Transfer of permits. Permits issued under this subchapter are not transferable.
(G) Posting of permit. The owner of the wild or exotic animal or poisonous reptile shall display the permit in a prominent place on or near the enclosure or confinement facility.
(H) Failure to obtain a permit. Failure to obtain a permit before possessing or owning a will or exotic animal or poisonous reptile in the county will subject the owner to the sanctions, penalties, fines, or remedies set forth in § 90.999(I).
(I) Failure to timely renew a permit. Failure to renew a permit 30 days before the end of the fiscal year (by June 1) shall subject the owner of a wild or exotic animal or poisonous reptile to the sanctions, penalties, fines, or remedies set forth in § 90.999(I).
(J) Denial of permit. The Sheriff shall have the authority to deny a permit for violation of this subchapter pursuant to the grounds and procedures set forth in § 90.123
(K) Revocations of permit. The Sheriff shall have the authority to deny a permit for violation of this subchapter pursuant to the grounds and procedures set forth in § 90.123.
(L) Reinstatement of permit and reinstatement fee. The Sheriff shall reinstate a revoked permit after the owner complies with this subchapter and pays a reinstatement fee of two times the original permit fee required in division (E) above.
(M) No liability. The inspections and permits required herein do not guarantee the safety of any facility or the manner in which a facility is maintained or supervised. No special relationship is created herein, and neither the Sheriff nor the county accepts liability for any injury or harm experienced as a result of any loss, damage, or injury received or experienced in connection with any facility that is inspected or permitted.
(Ord. 2015-03, passed 7-7-2015)