Revised Definition of Wild and Dangerous Animals

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Revised 29 March 2019 1 Orange County Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB) “Dangerous Animals Task Force” Participants: Chair Bryan Stuart, Members Amanda Schwoerke, Edmund Tiryakian, Irene Phipps, Bob Marotto, Susan Elmore, and Rachel Plast Existing Version Animal Control Ordinance DIVISION 5. – KEEPING OF WILD ANIMALS DANGEROUS TO PERSONS AND PROPERTY Sec. 4-181. Definitions. As used hereinafter, the following term shall mean: Wild Animals Dangerous to Persons and Property, hereinafter referred to as “Wild and Dangerous Animals”: The term applies to the following animals: all felines (other than the domestic house cat), nonhuman primates, bears, wolves, coyotes, reptiles (poisonous, crushing, and giant), and any crossbreed of such animals which have similar characteristics of the animals specified herein. In order to properly administer the provisions of this Ordinance, the Animal Services Advisory Board may add to or remove from the classification of wild animal any bird, mammal, reptile, aquatic and amphibious forms, or other members of the animal kingdom. Additions to or deletions from the animals regulated herein may be made only if the Animal Services Advisory Board determines, after receiving evidence, that such animals because of habit, mode of life or natural instinct are either capable or incapable of being domesticated, requires the exercise of art, force or skill to keep them safely in subjection, and would or would not create a reasonable likelihood of hazard to the public. Proposed Modified Version Animal Control Ordinance DIVISION 5. – KEEPING OF WILD ANIMALS DANGEROUS TO PERSONS AND PROPERTY Sec. 4-181. Definitions. As used hereinafter, the following term shall mean: Wild Animals Dangerous to Persons and Property, hereinafter referred to as “Wild and Dangerous Animals”: The term applies to the following animals that are deemed essentially dangerous and injurious and detrimental to public health, safety and welfare:  Venomous reptiles, defined as lizard and snake species or subspecies that are capable of injecting toxins that may cause severe pain, injury, and/or death to humans;  Crocodilians;  Monitor lizard (family Varanidae) species or subspecies that may attain a total adult body length reaching or exceeding four feet, including, but not restricted to, Savanna Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus), Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus), Water Monitor (Varanus salvator), and White-Throated Monitor (Varanus albigularis);