(a) No person shall keep or permit to be kept any wild, dangerous, exotic, endangered or undomesticated animal as set forth in R.C. § 935.01(C). This prohibition shall not apply to pet stores or to circuses or performing acts or other uses which have been duly authorized by the Zoning Inspector. The Zoning Inspector may issue a temporary permit to keep injured or infant wild animals native to the area which have been deemed to be incapable of surviving without assistance. The Zoning Inspector may order the release of any wild animal kept under a temporary permit.
(b) Any person owning a wild or exotic animal at the time of enactment of this section may, pending approval of the Zoning Inspector, obtain a permit to retain said wild or exotic animal provided that:
(1) A permit application is filed with the Zoning Inspector within 30 days of the effective date of this section.
(2) The facilities for housing and containment of said wild animal are inspected and found to be adequate to prevent such animal from escaping or injuring the public or public safety personnel acting in an official capacity.
(3) An annual permit fee of ten dollars ($10.00) is paid by the owner to the City.
(4) Upon the death, sale, adoption, exchange, transfer, or disposal of said wild or exotic animal, the animal may not be replaced.
(5) A permit issued under this section shall be non-transferrable to any subsequent owner or occupant of the property at which such animal is harbored or kept. Any permitted animal shall be removed from the premises by the person to whom the permit was issued.
(c) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, and shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per animal, per day, for each day the violation exists.
(Ord. 2021-37. Passed 10-5-21.)