§ 20-2.230. Use of animals for exhibits.

It is unlawful for any person to operate, conduct or maintain any commercial show, circus, animal exhibition, carnival, advertising or educational display or device in which any animal, wild or domestic, is used or kept without first having obtained a permit from the animal services agency at least thirty days prior to the scheduled event.

(a)

The animal services agency shall receive and review applications for such permits upon the applicant's filing and payment of the applicable permit fee imposed for such purposes as may be established by resolution of the town council within thirty days of the filing thereof. Only one fee shall be paid per application, irrespective of the number of animals or exhibitions for which the application is made.

(b)

The animal services agency may, in connection with this permit authority, either establish operating conditions, deny the application or revoke the permit if the animal services agency can reasonably demonstrate that the conditions imposed upon issuance of the permit or its denial are necessary to protect the public health and safety or provide for the humane care and treatment of any animals used or kept.

(c)

The animal services agency shall not issue permits for any wild and/or undomesticated animal as defined in section 20-2.183 of this chapter or any other species they deem inappropriate in order to protect public health and safety and/or animal welfare.

(d)

[Purposely left blank]

(e)

The animal services agency shall make written findings regarding the conditions imposed with issuance of the permit or written findings and explanation for denial of the permit within seven business days of receiving the application. The animal services agency may waive the permit fee when the use of the animals for exhibit benefits a nonprofit, educational or governmental organization and an inspection of the exhibit is not necessary. If the animal services agency denies or revokes a permit, the applicant or permittee may request a hearing in accordance with the provisions of section 20-2.241 of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 505 N.S., § 2 (part); Ord. No. 542 N.S., § 2(D)(2), 8-15-2012)

( Ord. No. 578 N.S. , § 1(H), 6-20-2018)