Legal Documents of Pittman Center

Code of Pittman Center

Table of Contents » Title 10 Animal Control » Chapter 3 Exotic Animals » § 10-301 Keeping wild or exotic animals unlawful; exceptions.
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Title 10
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Title 10, Chapter 1
10-101
§ 10-101
Pittman Center
Title 10 : Animal Control
Chapter 3 : Exotic Animals

10-301 : Keeping wild or exotic animals unlawful; exceptions.

  1. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to keep, maintain possess or have under their control within the town any venomous reptile or any other wild or exotic animal.
  2. A wild or exotic animal shall be defined as one which would ordinarily be confined to a zoo, or one would ordinarily be found in the wilderness of this or any other country, or one which otherwise causes a reasonable person to be fearful of bodily harm or significant destruction of property. Such animals are further defined as being those mammals or those non-venomous reptiles weighing over fifty (50) pounds at maturity which are known at law as "ferae naturae." Wild or exotic animals specifically do not include animals of a species customarily used in Tennessee as ordinary household pets, animals of a species customarily used in Tennessee as domestic farm animals, fish confined in an aquarium, birds, nor insects.
  3. The provisions of this chapter shall have no application to the following:
    1. A zoological park accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks.
    2. Any veterinary establishment licensed by the state.
    3. Any laboratory facilities owned and maintained by licensed veterinary hospitals.
    4. Appropriately accredited colleges, universities or other institutions of higher learning which own, keep or maintain any such animals for educational or scientific purposes.
    5. Handicapped persons who utilize primates to assist them in their daily activities.
    6. Persons or entities maintaining such animals within the corporate limits of the town pursuant to a valid permit issued on a temporary basis by the board.
  4. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to existing venomous reptiles or wild or exotic animals which are kept, maintained or possessed within the town on November 16, 1995, or which come under the jurisdiction of the town through annexation, if the owner or keeper thereof gives written notice to the town clerk within thirty (30) days of the time when the keeping of the animal is under the jurisdiction of the town. This notice shall include the existence, genus and species, age and location of each animal, together with the provisions for the confining thereof, and copies of all state and federal permits which may be required. (2000 Code, § 10-301)