§ 7-13. Wild or exotic animals prohibited.

(a)

No person shall keep or permit to be kept on such person's premises any wild or exotic animals for exhibition purposes, whether gratuitously or for a fee, or as a pet. This section shall not be construed to apply to zoological parks, performing animal exhibitions, circuses or veterinary clinics that are properly licensed by the state or the federal government. In no case, however, shall such wild or exotic animals be exhibited or displayed in such a manner that persons other than their handlers can pet, fondle, or otherwise come in direct physical contact with such animals. A wild or exotic animal is a nondomesticated animal or any animal which can normally be found in the wild state, excluding unowned ear-tipped feral cats, rabbits, ferrets, gerbils, hamsters, mice, guinea pigs, small amphibians, laboratory rats which have been bred in captivity and which have never known the wild, birds and fish normally kept as pets, raptors for the purpose of falconry in accordance with the state department of wildlife and parks regulations, K.A.R. 115-1-1 and K.A.R. 115-14-10. In addition, those monkeys that were kept as pets within the city as of December 31, 1992, or any monkeys that are currently being used as service animals, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, may be kept by their current owners; provided that the monkeys are kept in proper living facilities and pass a health examination. The term "monkey," as used in this section, is defined as Old World and New World monkeys, as distinguished from those animals commonly referred to as apes or baboons. The owner of a monkey must obtain a health certificate for such monkey that states that the animal is disease-free and in good health. These animal owners, including those with service animals, must have their facilities certified by the animal control department. Monkeys must be kept in these facilities at all times.

(b)

Any person who keeps a wild, exotic, or vicious animal in contravention of this section may dispose of the animal by removal of the animal from the city by giving or selling the animal to a zoological park or by releasing the animal to the supervisor of animal control. The director of animal control may release the animal to the wild or to a zoological park.

(Code 1988, § 7-13; Ord. No. O-22-03, § 1, 6-5-2003; Ord. No. O-8-15 , § 1, 1-29-2015)