(a)
Wild animals as used in this chapter shall mean and include any mammal, amphibian, reptile or fowl which is not naturally tame or gentle, but is of a wild nature or other characteristics that would constitute a danger to human life or property if not kept or maintained in a safe manner or in secure quarters. Wild animals shall include, but shall not be limited to, lions, tigers, leopards, panthers, bears, wolves, alligators, crocodiles, apes, foxes, elephants, rhinoceroses, skunks and all forms of poisonous reptiles and other like animals. The term shall not be deemed to include dogs or domestic cats.
(b)
No person shall keep or permit to be kept on his premises any wild or vicious animal for display or for exhibition purposes, whether gratuitously, for a fee or as a pet within the city limits. This section shall not be construed to apply to zoological parks, performing animal exhibitions or circuses.
(c)
It shall be unlawful for anyone to allow any wild animal to be at large outside of its secure quarters or cage. In the event such animal is discovered outside of its secure quarters or cage, it shall be presumed that the person who owns, raises or keeps the same willfully allowed it to roam at large outside the secure quarters of the cage.
(d)
Any wild animal which is found running at large will, at the discretion of the animal control officer, be impounded or destroyed.
(e)
The animal control officer may issue a temporary permit for a wild animal which is deemed incapable of survival, if authorized by the state parks and wildlife department.
(f)
The animal control officer shall have authority to issue permits for the keeping or maintaining, on a temporary basis, of all types of wild animals in connection with a circus, amusement enterprise or animal exhibition when located in a zone wherein such uses are permitted.
(g)
The animal control officer may promulgate additional rules and regulations concerning the keeping or maintaining of any such animal and may revoke any such permit for any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or of any of the rules and regulations of the city or when, in the opinion of the animal control officer, the safety or any person or property is menaced by the keeping of such an animal.
(Ordinance 976, art. 7, adopted 4/23/96; 1972 Code, sec. 4-24)