It looks like this bill won't immediately affect "exotic" animal owners, such as reptile owners, as no "exotic" animal has been named by the Commissioner of Health. That could change in the future, though, once the Commissioner starts to list animals (hint: let's not give them a reason to decide to act on this quickly - no stupid reptile tricks). This may be passed this month (December 2005).
One thing that I do wonder is if this ordinance will make it legal in Baltimore City to have a snake or lizard whose length is greater than 5 feet, if the owner can get a permit from the Commissioner of Health. Currently it is illegal in Baltimore to have a snake or lizard over 5 feet in length.
Katrina
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Baltimore City Council Bill 05-0260
Introduced and first read: September 26, 2005
Assigned to: Education, Housing, Health, and Human Services Committee
Contacts:
Chairman of Committee: Kenneth Harris, Sr .(secretary is Jacueline Burley) 410-396-4830
Head of Animal Control: Bob Anderson 410-396-4698
Words in CAPITALS indicate material ADDED to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate material [deleted] from existing law.
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Baltimore City Council Bill 05-0260
An Ordinance concerning
Animal Control - Exotic, Farm, and Other Animals
For the purpose of requiring a permit to keep any exotic animal, farm animal, pigeon, or bees; defining certain terms; and generally relating to the regulation and control of animals.
By repealing and reordaining, without amendments
Article - Health
Section(s) 10-104 and 10-106
Baltimore City Revised Code
(Edition 2000)
By repealing and reordaining, with amendments
Article - Health
Section(s) 10-312
Baltimore City Revised Code
(Edition 2000)
Section 1 Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, that the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:
Baltimore City Revised Code
Article - Health
10-104 Rules and Regulations
The rules and regulations that the Commissioner adopts under 2-106 of this article may include provisions:
(1) for the issuance of permits and licenses under this article;
(2) requiring the humane care of animals;
(3) governing the general care and control of animals; and
(4) governing the operation of facilities subject to this title.
10-106 Fees
With the approval of the Board of Estimates, the Commissioner may set fees and charges for;
(1) the issuance and renewal of all licenses and permits under this title;
(2) the removal or disposal of dead animals by the City for any animal clinic, humane society, veterinary office, or other institution or agency; and
(3) any of the other services provided under this title.
10-312 [Vietnamese pot bellied pigs] EXOTIC, FARM, AND OTHER ANIMALS.
(A) DEFINITIONS.
(1) IN GENERAL.
IN THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS HAVE THE MEANINGS INDICATED.
(2) EXOTIC ANIMAL. "EXOTIC ANIMAL" MEANS:
(I) ANY NATIVE OR FOREIGN WILDLIFE WHOSE POSSESSION OR SALE IS PROHIBITED BY FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL LAW; AND
(II) ANY OTHER ANIMAL THAT THE COMMISSIONER SO SPECIFIES BY RULE OR REGULATION.
(3) FARM ANIMAL. "FARM ANIMAL" MEANS ANY:
(I) BOVINE; (II) EQUINE; (III) PORCINE; (IV) CAPRINE; OR (V) DOMESTIC FOWL.
(B) PERMIT REQUIRED.
No person may keep any [Vietnamese pot bellied pig] OF THE FOLLOWING without a permit to do so from the Commissioner of Health;
(1) AN EXOTIC ANIMAL; (2) A FARM ANIMAL; (3) A PIGEON; (4) BEES; OR (5) A VIETNAMESE POT BELLIED PIG.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That the catchlines contained in this Ordinance are not law and may not be considered to have been enacted as a part of this or any prior Ordinance.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That this Ordinance takes effect on the 30th day after the date it is enacted.
