(A) For the purpose of this section, a wild, exotic or dangerous animal means an animal of the larger variety which is usually not a domestic animal and which can normally be found in the wild state, with or without mean or vicious propensities, including, but not limited to, lions, tigers, leopards, panthers, bears, wolves, alligators, crocodiles, apes, foxes, elephants, rhinoceroses and all forms of poisonous or large snakes, including those considered dangerous such as boas and pythons, lynxes, raccoons, skunks, monkeys and other like animals.
(B) It is unlawful to keep or harbor any wild, exotic or dangerous animal in the town limits as a pet or for display or for exhibition purposes, whether gratuitously or for a fee, except as provided in this section.
(C) This section shall not be construed to apply to zoological parks or zoos, performing animal exhibitions or circuses licensed by the town.
(D) If the owner of a wild, exotic or dangerous animal can establish to the Police Department’s satisfaction that an animal ordinarily considered as wild, dangerous or exotic is not dangerous to people or other animals and that the animal is healthy, safe and tame as a pet, then the Town Clerk may issue a permit to the owner to keep such animal in the town limits.
(1) The permit shall be renewed annually. The fee shall be set by the Town Board of Trustees.
(2) For any animal so permitted as provided in this division (D), the owner agrees to accept full responsibility for the actions and behavior of such animal.
(3) The establishment of whether such animal is healthy, safe and tame as a pet shall be the responsibility of the owner of the animal by submitting written evidence to the Police Department.
(4) No permit shall be granted by the Clerk unless written approval to the evidence submitted by the owner is submitted to the Clerk in advance.
(E) The town may issue temporary permits for keeping, care and protection of an infant animal native to this area which has been deemed to be homeless. The town shall have the power to release or order the release of any infant wild animal kept under temporary permit which is deemed capable of survival.
(Prior Code, § 4-150)