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Memo Non-Domesticated Animals• • • CITY OF HOPKINS MEMORANDUM DATE: April 1, 1991 TO: Hopkins City Council FROM: Jim Genellie SUBJECT: Non - Domesticated Animals Attached is a proposed ordinance regulating non - domesticated animals. A non - domesticated animal is defined in the ordinance but is, in essence, an animal that is not normally a pet and whose presence in an urban setting, such as Hopkins, is likely to result in a dangerous condition or a nuisance. Staff has considered such an ordinance in the past. People have approached the city concerning the keeping of various exotic animals as pets. In the last year a resident has acquired a cougar. While this animal is de- clawed it has alarmed a number of neighbors. Staff is now proposing to adopt the attached ordinance which is based on a Bloomington ordinance. This ordinance would prevent anyone from bringing in such an animal in the future. The ordinance also requires that any non - domesticated animal that is currently in the city be removed within 90 days. • • • Section 940 - Animals 940.01. Definitions. Subdivision 1. Non - Domesticated Animal. A non- domesticated animal is defined as any wild animal, reptile or fowl, which is not naturally tame or gentle but is of a wild nature or disposition and which, because of its size, vicious nature or other characteristics would constitute a danger to human life or property. Subd. 2. Farm Animal. A farm animal is defined as an animal which is normally found on a farm, ranch or stable. Such animals include, but are not limited to, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and chickens. 940.02. Prohibited Animals. No person shall keep, maintain or harbor within the City of Hopkins any of the following animals. Subd. 1. Any animal or species prohibited by Minnesota or Federal law. Subd. 2. Any non - domesticated animal or species, including but not limited to the following: a) Any skunk, whether captured in the wild, domestically raised, descented or not descented, vaccinated against rabies or not vaccinated against rabies. Any large cat of the family Felidae such as lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, cougars and ocelots, except commonly accepted domesticated house cats. c) Any member of the family Canidae, such as, wolves, foxes, coyotes, dingos and jackals, except domesticated dogs. d) Any crossbreed such as the crossbreeds between dogs and coyotes or dogs and wolves but does not include crossbred domesticated animals. e) Any poisonous pit viper such as a rattlesnake, coral snake, water moccasin or cobra. f) Any raccoon. g) Any ferret h) Any other animal which is not listed explicitly above, but which can be reasonably defined by the terms in Section 940.01 of this ordinance, including bears and badgers. Subd. 3. Any farm animal. 940.03. Selling Prohibited. No person shall offer for sale, within the city limits, any animal prohibited in Section 940.02 of this ordinance. • • • 940.04. Exceptions. Subd. 1. Any persons desiring to keep animals prohibited under Section 940.02 shall obtain a temporary conditional use permit from the City Council. Such a permit shall be issued for a period not to exceed thirty days and shall specify further conditions under which such animals shall be kept. Provided, however, that no such permit shall be issued unless such prohibited animal is brought into the city for entertainment, exhibition, show or promotional purposes only. A public zoo or other institution engaged in a permanent display of animals may be issued a permanent conditional use permit provided applicable zoning requirements are met. Subd. 2. Non - poisonous snakes, birds kept indoors, hamsters, mice, rabbits, gerbils, white rats, guinea pigs, chinchillas, or lizards, and similar small animals capable of being maintained continuously in cages are also exempt and do not require a permit. Subd. 3. Persons keeping animals for a public zoo as volunteers, teachers or otherwise, any bona fide research institution or veterinary hospital are exempt from the permit requirement; provided protective devices adequate to prevent such animals from escaping or injuring the public are provided. Subd. 4. Handicapped persons keeping monkeys trained as household helpers are exempt. Any non - domestic animal kept in the city, and, after being so reclaimed by the owner, may be impounded animal shall pay the 940.05. Impounding of non - domesticated animals. violation of this ordinance may be impounded by impounded for three (3) days or more without being destroyed or sold. Any person reclaiming any such costs of impounding an keeping the same. 940.06. Existing non - domesticated animals. Anyone keeping or maintaining any non - domesticated animal at the time this ordinance is adopted has ninety days in which to comply with the provisions of this ordinance. Extensions beyond ninety days may be granted for just cause by the City Council. 940.07. Penalty. Violation of any provision of this Subdivision shall be a misdemeanor.