Chapter 6.35
EXOTICS, HYBRIDS, AND WILDLIFE

Sections:

6.35.010    Exotic animals.

6.35.020    Hybrid animals.

6.35.030    Wild animals.

6.35.040    Feeding and attracting wildlife prohibited.

6.35.010 Exotic animals.

A. Exotic animals are not allowed to be owned, kept, possessed, harbored, or maintained within the corporate limits of the town. Exotic mammals have no licensed rabies vaccines and no quarantine times have been established.

B. Nonhuman primates are not permitted to enter the corporate limits of the town unless they are being transported in a manner in accordance with state and federal law.

C. Reptiles, amphibians, birds and fish are not susceptible to natural rabies infections and are, therefore, allowed within the corporate limits of the town.

D. The police department and town clerk must approve exotic animals being exhibited in any animal show.

E. Penalties for violations of this section shall be as provided in Section 6.20.040(A). (Ord. 18-23 § 2, 2018; Ord. 01-011 § 18, 2001; prior code § 7-7-1)

6.35.020 Hybrid animals.

A. Canine/wolf hybrids are not permitted to be owned, kept, possessed, harbored, or maintained within the corporate limits of the town. Owners and or caretakers shall be required at their own expense to have an animal evaluated for breed by an authorized veterinarian or veterinary hospital if the police department suspects a canine is a canine/wolf hybrid mix.

B. Feline hybrids are not permitted to be owned, kept, possessed, harbored, or maintained within the corporate limits of the town. Owners and/or caretakers shall be required at their own expense to have an animal evaluated for breed by an authorized veterinarian or veterinary hospital if the police department personnel suspects the feline is a feline hybrid mix.

C. Penalties for violations of this section shall be as provided in Section 6.20.040(A). (Ord. 18-23 § 2, 2018; Ord. 01-011 § 18, 2001; prior code § 7-7-2)

6.35.030 Wild animals.

A. Bats, skunks, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, ringtails, raccoons, coatimundi, javelinas, bears, and mountain lions have all tested positive for rabies virus variant. No person shall hand feed, pet or attempt to domesticate any wild animal. There is still no rabies vaccine for these species and no known quarantine period of observation.

B. Wild rodents and rabbits have never tested positive for rabies virus variant. No person shall hand feed, pet or attempt to domesticate any wild rodent or rabbit. There is still no rabies vaccine for these species and no known quarantine period of observation.

C. Wildlife rescuers are not permitted to own, keep, possess, harbor or maintain any wild animal within the corporate limits of the town unless:

1. Wildlife rescuers are certified with the Arizona Department of Game and Fish, R-12-4-423.

2. Wildlife rescuers must have the holding facility approved by the police department.

3. Veterinary records for all animals must be made available upon request by the police department.

D. The police department and town clerk must approve wildlife being exhibited in any animal show.

E. Penalties for violations of this section shall be as provided in Section 6.20.040(A). (Ord. 18-23 § 2, 2018; Ord. 01-011 § 18, 2001; prior code § 7-7-3)

6.35.040 Feeding and attracting wildlife prohibited.

A. Definitions.

1. For purposes of this section, “feed” is defined as the intentional provision of water, animal or human food, animal carcasses, or edibles to wildlife.

2. For purposes of this section, “attracting” is defined as placing water, animal or human food, edibles, animal parts or carcasses, garbage or refuse in an area where a reasonable person would be aware of the potential presence of wildlife.

B. It is unlawful for any person to intentionally feed bears, javelina, coyotes or mountain lions, or to attract them by intentionally, negligently or recklessly placing water, garbage, refuse, human or animal food or edibles in a place that is physically accessible to such wildlife.

C. These prohibitions apply to all areas within the town’s corporate limits.

D. These prohibitions do not apply to any of the following:

1. Public employees and their agents acting within the scope of their authority for public safety or wildlife management purposes.

2. Taking wildlife, as permitted by Arizona law and any Arizona Game and Fish Commission rule or order.

3. Food or edibles that are being transported to an approved landfill or disposal facility.

4. Garbage or refuse that is being transported to an approved landfill or disposal facility.

5. Water, food, edibles, garbage or refuse located in a residence, sealed vehicle or storage building, or in a camping storage unit that is constructed of solid, nonpliable material.

6. Food, edibles, garbage or refuse stored in a covered and locked container made of sturdy, nonpliable material; provided, however, refrigerators and freezers that are placed outside, even if locked, are not exempt under this section.

7. Municipal and commercial zoos or Arizona Game and Fish Department licensed wildlife rehabilitation providers.

8. Provision of appropriate food and water exclusively for livestock, horses, swine, poultry or fowl.

9. Feeders placed to attract birds or other wildlife that do not pose a public safety problem, and do not attract bears, mountain lions, javelina, or coyotes.

E. Any animal control officer or any state-certified peace officer may issue a citation for the violation of this section, subject to the following:

1. Upon the first contact with a person suspected of violating this section, the officer shall issue a verbal warning and provide the person with a copy of this section.

2. Upon the second contact with a person suspected of violating this section, the officer shall issue a citation to the person.

3. Each violation, after the first contact, shall constitute a separate offense and each day a violation remains unabated may be treated as a separate offense.

F. Penalties for violations of this section shall be as provided in Section 6.20.040(A). (Ord. 18-23 § 2, 2018; Ord. 14-05 § 1, 2014; prior code § 7-7-4)