505.17 KEEPING AND MAINTAINING WILD ANIMALS AND LIVESTOCK.

   (a)   “Wild animal” means any living wild or potentially dangerous mammal, reptile, fowl or other vertebrate species which is not naturally tame or gentle, but is of a wild nature or disposition and not customarily domesticated, and which because of its characteristics may constitute a danger to people or property if it escaped from secure quarters. A wild animal shall include, but not be limited to:

      (1)   All snakes.

      (2)   Bears (Ursidae).

      (3)   Cheetahs (Acinonyx Jubatus).

      (4)   Birds of prey, eagles, falcons, hawks, owls (Falconiformes).

      (5)   Coyotes and coyotes-dog hybrids (Canids).

      (6)   Elephants (Elephas and Loxodonts).

      (7)   Hyenas (Hyaenides).

      (8)   Jaguars (Panthera onca).

      (9)   Leopards (Panthera pardus).

      (10)   Lions (Panthera leo).

      (11)   Lynxes (lynx).

      (12)   Pumas, also known as cougars, mountain lions and panthers (Felis concolor).

      (13)   Primates (non-human), apes, monkeys, baboons, chimpanzees, gibbons, gorillas, orangutans, siamangs.

      (14)   Raccoons.

      (15)   Skunks.

      (16)   Tigers (Panthera tigris).

      (17)   Wolf-dog hybrids (canis lupus).

      (18)   Wild cats, ocelots, margay, several, leopard cats.

      (19)   Alligators.

      (20)   Crocodiles.

      (21)   Any fish/aquatic vertebrates that are dangerous to humans.

   (b)   “Livestock” includes, but is not limited to, horses, ponies, stallions, colts, geldings, mares, sheep, bees, rams, lambs, bulls, bullocks, steers, heifers, cows, calves, mules, jacks, jennets, burros, goats, kids, swine and any animals normally found in the wild state which are being kept for exhibition purposes or as private pets.

   (c)   “Poultry” means all domesticated fowl and all game birds which are legally held in captivity.

   (d)   Exceptions. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to keep or maintain a wild animal, livestock or poultry either inside or outside a structure, within the City with the following exceptions:

      (1)   Temporary events such as a circus, sporting event or zoo exhibition where the animals or mascots are handled by trained professional caretakers.

      (2)   Retail pet stores, with all proper licenses, located in a commercial zoning district.

      (3)   Any fish or similar aquatic vertebrates bred to remain in a confined body of water.

      (4)   Any domestic, non-farm animal including, but not limited to dogs, cats or ferrets, when properly immunized as necessary.

         (Ord. 99-373. Passed 7-25-01.)

      (5)   A.   Any person who desires to keep or maintain animals, other than those listed in subsection (d)(4) hereof, may request that his/her property be inspected by the Health Commissioner. The Health Commissioner shall inspect the property and issue a report setting forth his/her recommendation that no wild animals or livestock should be kept or recommending the specific type of animals that the person should be permitted to keep, the specific number of animals that the person should be permitted to keep, the specific piece of property on which the person may be permitted to keep the animals, and the specific conditions under which the person should be required to keep the animals.

         B.   The applicant may then submit the Health Commissioner’s Report to the City Planning Commission. If the City Planning Commission determines that the property where the animals are to be kept is zoned for farming or agricultural purposes, that the animals are intended to be used for farming or agricultural purposes and that issuance of the permit will not interfere with the health and safety of the community or create a nuisance to adjoining landowners, it shall recommend the issuance of a permit allowing the keeping of animals to the extent they are kept in compliance with all the criteria set forth in the Health Commissioner’s Report to Youngstown City Council. City Council may consent to the issuance of the permit by ordinance. The Planning and Zoning Department shall be responsible for issuing the permit and enforcing the permit requirements. The Planning and Zoning Department shall revoke said permit if the person has failed to operate in compliance with the specified terms. The keeping of animals by a permit holder in strict compliance with all terms set forth in the permit, shall not be a violation of this section.

            (Ord. 09-26. Passed 2-4-09.)

   (e)   Penalty. Whoever violates this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. In addition, the court may order the wild animal, livestock or poultry transferred to an appropriate zoological or similar facility. If this is not practical, as an alternative, the court may order the wild animal, livestock or poultry humanely destroyed by a qualified veterinarian.

(Ord. 01-240. Passed 7-25-01.)