Chapter 6.16
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WILD ANIMALS
Sections:
6.16.020 Potentially dangerous wild animals.
6.16.025 Duty to advise purchaser/recipient.
6.16.030 Allowing wild or vicious animals to run at large prohibited.
6.16.040 Exception for circuses, zoos, and transportation of wild animals.
6.16.050 Violations – Penalty – Continuing offenses.
6.16.010 Animal defined.
For purposes of this chapter, “animal” means all reptiles, birds, invertebrates, mammals, amphibians, and fishes. (Ord. 1901 § 12, 2015).
6.16.020 Potentially dangerous wild animals.
Persons residing in the city of Fife may keep potentially dangerous wild animals other than those defined in and prohibited by RCW 16.30.010 if they obtain a permit as defined in FMC 6.07.040 from the licensing officer or the licensing officer’s designated agent. Such permits may be granted only upon a showing by the applicant that adequate safeguards have been instituted and will be maintained which effectively control any dangerous or vicious propensities of such animal, and eliminate any danger to individuals and property, and that the keeping and maintaining of such animal will be in the best interests of the animal and will in no way constitute a nuisance to the occupant of any surrounding property. It shall be the duty of the animal owner to comply with this section and to maintain proper supervision and control over his or her animals at all times. When a potentially dangerous wild animal causes injury or damage, the responsibility shall be upon the animal owner and not the county. (Ord. 1901 § 12, 2015).
6.16.025 Duty to advise purchaser/recipient.
Any person offering for sale or gift any animal in the city which falls within FMC 6.16.020 shall have the duty to advise the purchaser or recipient of the wild nature of the animal and its vicious, venomous/poisonous, or dangerous propensities and of the fact that possession of such animal is regulated or prohibited by the Fife Municipal Code. (Ord. 1901 § 12, 2015).
6.16.030 Allowing wild or vicious animals to run at large prohibited.
No person owning or having charge, custody, control, or possession of any animal specified in FMC 6.16.020 shall permit or allow the same to run at large upon any highway, street, lane, alley, court, or any other place, public or private, or within the premises of such person in such a manner as to endanger any person lawfully entering such premises. (Ord. 1901 § 12, 2015).
6.16.040 Exception for circuses, zoos, and transportation of wild animals.
A. FMC 6.16.020 shall not apply to any person who has custody of any animal described in that section in connection with the operation of any zoo or circus or any program of medical or scientific research, provided, such person has taken adequate measures to safeguard persons and property.
B. FMC 6.16.020 shall not apply to any person keeping, maintaining or having in his possession or under his control any animal defined in that section when such person is transporting such animal through the city, provided, he has taken adequate safeguards to protect the public, and has notified the police chief of his proposed route of transportation and of the time that such trip is to take place. (Ord. 1901 § 12, 2015).
6.16.050 Violations – Penalty – Continuing offenses.
A violation of this chapter is a misdemeanor. (Ord. 1901 § 12, 2015).