For the purposes of this article, the following
shall be considered as potentially dangerous wild animals: the Felidae,
including the lion, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, ocelot, jaguarundi,
puma, lynx, cougar and bobcat; the Canidae, including the wolf and
coyote; and the Ursidae, including the black bear, grizzly bear and
brown bear.
[Amended 3-12-2007 by Ord. No. 07-03]
No person shall possess a potentially dangerous
wild animal without first obtaining a permit from the Mayor. Such
permit may be issued at the discretion of the Mayor and shall prescribe
the conditions and limitations which the Mayor deems necessary in
order to provide for public safety and welfare. Any such animal illegally
possessed shall be ordered seized and may be disposed of as determined
by the Mayor. Any person who violates any provision of this section
shall be fined $100. The provisions of this section shall not apply
to facilities maintained by the Town or Board of Education.
No person shall keep, possess or maintain any
live python, anaconda, constrictor of any type, cobra or any other
poisonous, dangerous or deadly snake within the Town of Stratford.
Any person violating this section shall be fined not more than $500
or imprisoned not more than one year, or both fined and imprisoned.
This prohibition shall not apply to licensed circuses or to museums
or laboratories maintained by scientific or education institutions.