Chapter 6.15
INHERENTLY DANGEROUS ANIMALS
Sections:
6.15.030 Harboring and owning inherently dangerous mammals and/or inherently dangerous reptiles.
6.15.010 Purpose.
It is the public policy of the city of Sequim to prevent the harboring or housing of inherently dangerous mammals and inherently dangerous reptiles within the city of Sequim. To this end, it is the purpose of this chapter to prevent such animals from being kept within the city of Sequim while allowing any such animals that may be housed in the city of Sequim at the time of adoption of the ordinance codified in this title to continue to be so harbored. (Ord. 99-007)
6.15.020 Running at large.
A. No person owning or harboring, having custody, control, or possession of an inherently dangerous mammal and/or inherently dangerous reptile 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 manner as to endanger any person lawfully entering such premises.
B. An inherently dangerous mammal and/or inherently dangerous reptile found to be running at large shall be impounded and humanely destroyed by euthanasia or transferred to a suitably licensed facility such as a zoo at the expense of the owner. (Ord. 99-007)
6.15.030 Harboring and owning inherently dangerous mammals and/or inherently dangerous reptiles.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to harbor, house, and/or own any inherently dangerous mammal and/or any inherently dangerous reptile within the incorporated portions of the city of Sequim, except that:
B. Any person harboring, housing, and/or owning any inherently dangerous mammal and/or any inherently dangerous reptile within the incorporated portions of the city of Sequim on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title may continue to harbor, house, and/or own such animal if such animal is registered with an animal control authority within 120 days from the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title; provided further, that such animal(s) may not be used for breeding and any offspring must immediately be reported to the animal control authority and removed from the city of Sequim. (Ord. 99-007)
6.15.040 Exemptions.
The following are exempt from all provisions in this chapter:
A. Any facility accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA);
B. Any licensed or accredited research or medical institutions;
C. Licensed or accredited educational institutions;
D. Veterinary clinics in possession of inherently dangerous mammals or inherently dangerous reptiles for treatment or rehabilitation purposes;
E. Traveling circuses or carnivals so long as the inherently dangerous mammals or inherently dangerous reptiles are under the direct supervision of these circuses or carnivals;
F. Persons temporarily transporting inherently dangerous mammals or inherently dangerous reptiles through the city; provided, that the transit time shall not be more than two days, and that they will be transported out of the city within the two-day period;
G. Any facility licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Animal Welfare Act; and
H. Any person having a valid wildlife rehabilitation permit from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife as a wildlife rehabilitator.
Although the above are exempt from the provisions of this chapter, they must comply with all other applicable federal, state and local regulations, including, but not necessarily limited to, Chapter 16.52 RCW, concerning the prevention of cruelty to animals. (Ord. 99-007)