(A) If a dangerous, wild, exotic animal or restricted snake escapes, the person that possesses the animal or snake shall notify both the following immediately upon discovery of the escape:
(1) The sheriff of the county and the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality of where the escape occurred;
(2) The division of animal health in the department of agriculture by means of the twenty-four-hour telephone number that is maintained by the division.
(B) Destruction of a dangerous, wild, exotic animal or restricted snake.
(1) A law enforcement officer or natural resources law enforcement officer may destroy a dangerous, wild, exotic animal or restricted snake that has escaped and that poses a threat to public safety.
(2) A law enforcement officer or natural resources law enforcement officer that destroys an escaped dangerous, wild, exotic animal or restricted snake pursuant to (B)(1) of this section is not liable for damages in a civil action for any injury, death, or loss to personal property that allegedly arises from the destruction of the animal or snake.
(C) The person that possesses a dangerous, wild, exotic animal or restricted snake that escapes is responsible for all reasonable costs associated with the capture or destruction of the animal or snake. The person shall reimburse the political subdivision that employs the law enforcement officer who captured or destroyed the dangerous, wild, exotic animal or restricted snake for the cost incurred in the capturing or destroying the animal or snake. However, if the law enforcement officer is a state highway patrol trooper or if a natural resources law enforcement officer captured or destroyed the dangerous, wild, exotic animal or restricted snake, the person shall reimburse the state highway patrol or department of natural resources, as applicable, for those costs.
(D) Whoever fails to comply with or violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(Ord. 3533. Passed 10-8-13.)