§ 14-6. Keeping of wild animals and reptiles; permit.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person to keep any wild animal or reptile without first having obtained a permit from the city council. However, this provision shall not apply to parks, zoos, pet shops, medical or scientific institutions, or other places licensed for the showing or keeping of wild animals or reptiles. In the city council's consideration of permits for animals subject to the provisions of this section there shall be a presumption against the issuance of a permit for any animal or reptile falling within the following classifications:

(1)

Any snake normally possessing fangs and poisonous glands and capable of inducing toxic effects through biting.

(2)

Any snake possessing the power of constriction and in excess of ten feet in length or of a weight in excess of 25 pounds.

(3)

Any lizard normally capable of inducing toxic effects through biting, including the gila monster and the Mexican beaded lizard.

(4)

Any lizard in excess of eight feet in length or of a weight in excess of 25 pounds.

(5)

Any alligator, caiman, or crocodile in excess of four feet in length.

(6)

Any ape, including the chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, gibbon, or simian.

(7)

All members of the flesh-eating order carnivora, including nondomestic dogs, cats, foxes, seals, raccoons, coatimundis, bears, civets, skunks, and related forms.

(8)

Elephants.

(b)

There shall be a presumption in favor of the issuance of a permit to keep animals which do not fall within the classifications set forth in this section. However, the city council may still, in the exercise of their discretion, rely upon their judgment as to when the keeping of such an animal is dangerous and harmful to human safety.

(Code 1985, § 90.04)