[Adopted 3-3-1981]
The Town Board recognizes the suburban nature of the Town and that no part thereof is suitable for the maintenance of wild animals. The Board is mindful of both the safety and welfare of the residents of the Town and the interest of preventing cruelty to such animals or the creation of a hazard by their presence.
As used in this Article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
WILD ANIMAL
An animal of any species which in its natural habitat is wild, dangerous or ferocious, including any such animal which may have been trained and domesticated. "Wild animals" include but are not limited to the following: all members of the dog family (canidae), except domestic dogs; all members of the cat family (felidae), except the common domestic cat; all predator birds, such as eagles, hawks, falcons and owls; all venomous snakes or constricting snakes; all venomous insects, such as tarantulas, black widow spiders and scorpions; and all venomous lizards, snapping turtles, alligators and iguanas.
A. 
Possession restricted.
(1) 
No person shall keep, harbor or possess a wild animal in any place within the Town of Islip other than the following:
(a) 
A zoological park.
(b) 
A laboratory operated pursuant to § 504 of the Public Health Law.
(c) 
A carnival, circus or public outdoor show for which a special permit from the Town Board has been obtained.
(d) 
An educational or scientific institution chartered or licensed by the State of New York.
(2) 
A person licensed by the State of New York for such purpose may keep raptors.
[Added 5-19-1981]
B. 
All wild animals possessed pursuant to Subsection A shall be kept in protective devices which are adequate to prevent such animals from escaping or from injuring the public.
C. 
No wild animals shall be offered for sale, sold or given to any person or institution in the Town of Islip.
The failure to comply with any section of this Article shall be a violation; the owner of the wild animal or any person having immediate control over such animal shall be liable for the said violation and the penalty provided in this Article.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 12-25, Penalties for offenses, was repealed 11-16-1982.
This Article is effective immediately. Any person harboring or possessing a wild animal as defined herein shall have six months from the effective date of this Article to remove such wild animal from the confines of the Town of Islip.