HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-045 ConsolidatedOffice Consolidation of By -Law
Exotic Animal By-law City;W4011
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The Corporation of the
Municipality of Clarington
By -Law 2012-045
Being a by-law prohibiting and regulating the keeping of
certain animals within the Municipality of Clarington.
Passed, by Council, on
Consolidated as of:
Amendments:
June 13, 2016
October 29, 2024
Amending By -Law I Date Passed
2016-053
Amendment Details
June 13, 2016 1 Amend Section 1 to add "Wildlife"
Section 6 to add Schedule "F"
Part 2 Prohibitions to add "no person
shall keep Wildlife in the Municipality"
Section 14 (f) deleted and replaced
2019-041 June 10, 2019 Delete clause 14(d) and renumber
Add new clause 14(f) regarding Jungle
Cat World
2024-044 October 28, 2024 Addition of Part IV — Urban Chickens and
consequential amendments
Disclaimer:
The following consolidated by-law is an electronic reproduction made available for
information only. It is not an official version of the By-law.
The format may be different, and plans, pictures, other graphics or text may be missing
or altered. The Municipality of Clarington does not warrant the accuracy of this
electronic version.
Official versions of all By-laws may be obtained from the Municipal Clerk's Department.
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Exotic Animal By-law
THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
BY-LAW 2012-045
Being a by-law prohibiting and regulating the keeping of
certain animals within the Municipality of Clarington
WHEREAS subsection 11(3) of the Municipal Act, 2001 authorizes the Municipality to
pass by-laws respecting animals; and
WHEREAS subsection 8(3) of the Municipal Act, 2001 authorizes the Municipality to
provide for a system of licences respecting animals; and
WHEREAS section 103 of the Municipal Act, 2001 permits the seizure and impounding
of animals being at large or trespassing contrary to the by-law and for the sale of such
animals; and
WHEREAS the Municipality wishes to ensure the safety, health and well-being of its
residents by prohibiting the keeping of certain animals and regulating how certain other
animals can be kept.
NOW THEREFORE the Municipality enacts as follows:
PART I - INTERPRETATION
Definitions
1. In this by-law, including its recitals,
"Agricultural Zone" means land designated `Agricultural (A)' in a Zoning By-law;
"Animal" means any member of the animal kingdom other than a dog or cat as
defined in the Municipality's Responsible Pet Owners By -Law No. 2006-227;
"Animal Services Officer" means a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer appointed
by Council to enforce this by-law;
"at large", in relation to an Animal, means an Animal found on any property other
than the Animal Owner's property (unless prior consent is given by the person
owning the property) that is not under the physical control of a person;
"Coop" means a fully enclosed weatherproof insulated building where chickens
are kept to prevent them from escaping and includes nest boxes for egg -laying,
perches for the chickens to sleep on and for the keeping of food and water
containers.
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"Council" means the Council of the Municipality;
"keep" means to temporarily or permanently harbour, have custody of, maintain,
possess or store;
"Livestock" means those Animals listed in Schedule "B";
"Municipal Act, 2001" means the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25;
"Municipal Clerk" means the Clerk of the Municipality or a designate;
"Municipality" means The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington or the
geographic area of Clarington, as the context requires;
"Owner" means a person who keeps an Animal and, where such person is under
the age of 18, the person responsible for the custody of such person;
"person" includes an individual, association, firm, partnership, corporation, trust,
organization, trustee, or agent, and their heirs, executors, or legal
representatives;
"Prohibited Animal" means an Animal in a Class or Category identified in
Schedule "A" other than any exceptions listed in Schedule "A" and Livestock;
"Urban Chicken" means an egg laying hen kept in a Residential Hamlet (RH)
Zone, Rural Cluster (RC) Zone, or within the boundaries of the Village or Orono.
"Wildlife" means those Animals listed in Schedule "F"; and
"Zoning By-law" means a by-law passed by the Municipality pursuant to section
34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13 and includes Zoning By-law 84-63
and Oak Ridges Moraine Zoning By-law 2005-109.
References
2. Reference to any Act, regulation or By-law is reference to such Act, regulation or
By-law as it is amended or re-enacted from time to time.
3. References to Parts, sections, subsections and Schedules are references to
Parts, sections, subsections and Schedules of this by-law.
Word Usage
4. This by-law shall be read with all changes in gender or number as the context
may require.
5. A grammatical variation of a word or expression defined has a corresponding
meaning.
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Schedules
6. The following Schedules are attached to and form part of this by-law:
Schedule "A" — Prohibited Animals
Schedule "B" — Livestock
Schedule "C" — Impound Fee Schedule
Schedule "D" — Exotic Animal Entertainment Event Permit Requirements
Schedule "F" -- Wildlife
Severability
7. Each section of this by-law is an independent section, and the holding of any
section or part of any section of this by-law to be void or ineffective for any
reason shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other section or parts of
sections of this by-law.
Conflict
8. Nothing in this by-law is intended to derogate from any of the powers of the
Ministry of Natural Resources to regulate wildlife under the Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c.41 or the powers of a poundkeeper under
the Pounds Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.17.
9. If a provision of this by-law conflicts with a provision of any applicable Act,
regulation or by-law, the provision that establishes the higher or more restrictive
standard to protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public shall
prevail.
PART II — PROHIBITIONS
General
10. No person shall keep a Prohibited Animal in the Municipality.
11. No person shall keep Livestock on land that is not in an Agricultural Zone.
12. (1) In this section,
"dwelling unit" means one or more habitable rooms designed or intended
to be used together as a single and separate housekeeping unit by one or
more persons containing its own kitchen and sanitary facilities with a
private entrance from outside the unit itself, and includes any land
associated with such unit; and
"Exempt Animal" means an Animal listed as an Exception in Schedule "A"
other than Pigeons.
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(2) No person shall keep more than three Exempt Animals within the same
class that are greater than 12 weeks old within any single dwelling unit.
(3) No person shall keep Wildlife in the Municipality.
13. No Owner shall allow their Animal to be at large in the Municipality.
Exceptions
14. Sections 10, 11 and 12 shall not apply to,
(a) a Municipal animal shelter;
(b) the premises of an affiliate or branch of the Ontario Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals;
(c) the premises of an accredited veterinary hospital under the care of a
licensed veterinarian;
(d) premises accredited by the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums;
or
(e) persons keeping an Animal under the authority of the Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c.41 or the Canadian Wildlife Service
provided that the place where such animals are kept is located in the
permitted area of the Municipality as set in Schedule T".
(f) on the premises of Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park.
14.1 Section 11 shall not apply to any pot bellied pig provided,
(a) its weight does not exceed 100 pounds;
(b) prior to the passage of this by-law it was kept by an Owner as a pet on
land in the Municipality that was not in an Agricultural Zone;
(c) its Owner proves that it was purchased prior to May 28, 2012;
(d) it was registered with the Municipality no later than June 30, 2012; and
(e) it was spayed/neutered prior to June 30, 2012.
14.2 Sections 11 and 12 shall not apply to any Urban Chicken kept in accordance
with Part IV of this By-law.
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Control of Animals
15. Any person may take possession of an Animal found at large and shall forthwith
deliver the Animal to an Animal Services Officer.
16. An Animal Services Officer may seize and impound,
(a) any Animal found at large or delivered to the Municipality by a person who
found the Animal at large;
(b) any Prohibited Animal; or
(c) any Livestock on land that is not in an Agricultural Zone.
17. (1) In this section, "Redemption Period" means 5 days from the day that an
Animal is impounded (not including the day of impounding or any day that
the Clarington Animal Shelter is closed).
(2) When an Animal has been impounded by an Animal Services Officer, such
Animal shall remain impounded for the duration of the Redemption Period.
(3) If any impounded Animal is not claimed on or before the last day of the
Redemption Period, the Animal Services Officer may, at that Officer's
discretion and subject to the Animals for Research Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.
A.22, destroy or sell the Animal.
18. Nothing in this by-law shall prevent an Animal Services Officer from destroying
an Animal that is suffering illness or injury and, in the Animal Services Officer's
opinion, will not humanely sustain life.
19. Where the Animal Services Officer deems it necessary to euthanize an Animal
pursuant to section 18, the Officer shall first make every reasonable attempt in
the circumstances to contact its Owner.
20. The Municipality shall keep a record of all Animals seized and impounded
pursuant to this by-law.
21. An Animal Services Officer may restore possession of an impounded Animal to a
person claiming to be the Owner of the Animal only where such person,
(a) demonstrates that the place in which they intend to keep the Animal is
within an area of the Municipality where the keeping of the Animal is
permitted; and
(b) pays to the Municipality the impound and daily care fees set out in
Schedule "C" together with any other costs incurred by the Municipality for
the housing and caring for the Animal, including the cost of any of
veterinary care that the Animal Services Officer deemed necessary.
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Minimum Animal Care Requirements
22. Every Owner who keeps an Animal in the Municipality shall provide the Animal,
or cause it to be provided, with adequate and appropriate care, food, water,
shelter, exercise, attention and veterinary care as is required to meet the need of
the species.
PART III - PIGEONS
Definitions
23. In this Part,
(a) "Pigeon Owner" means a person who owns and keeps Pigeons;
(b) "Pigeon Enclosure" means an accessory building, as defined under the
applicable Zoning By-law, that is used for keeping Pigeons; and
(c) "Pigeon" means any member of the of the Columba genus, commonly
referred to as racing pigeons, fancy pigeons and sporting pigeons.
Pigeon Organization Affiliation
24. Every Pigeon Owner shall,
(a) be a member of a recognized pigeon organization which is affiliated with a
national pigeon organization;
(b) band their Pigeons with a metal or plastic leg band; and
(c) register their Pigeon band numbers with an organization described in
clause (a).
25. Section 24 does not apply if the Pigeon Owner keeps fewer than 20 Pigeons.
26. Every Pigeon Owner who owns fewer than 20 Pigeons shall band their Pigeons
with either a seamed or seamless band to identify the Pigeons as being owned.
Enclosure Requirements
27. Every Pigeon Owner shall keep their Pigeons in a Pigeon Enclosure that,
(a) provides for a minimum of 1.0 square metre of loft space for every 10
Pigeons; and
(b) complies with all requirements set out in the applicable Zoning By-law
including size, height and setbacks.
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28. Every Pigeon Owner shall,
(a) maintain the Pigeon Enclosure in a state of good repair through regular
painting or permanent siding;
(b) maintain all equipment associated with the keeping of Pigeons under
cover;
(c) lime wash, paint or disinfect the inside walls and ceilings of all Pigeon
Enclosures;
(d) remove and dispose of in a sanitary manner on a regular basis, at least
twice each week, in a manner that will not create a public nuisance or
health hazard, all Pigeon droppings and refuse within or adjacent to all
Pigeon Enclosures and runs; and
(e) store all Pigeon feed in rodent -proof containers.
Containment
29. Pigeon Owners shall take all reasonable steps to ensure their Pigeons do not
stray, perch, roost, nest or rest upon any premises other than on premises of the
Pigeon Owner.
30. Pigeon Owners shall keep their Pigeons contained in a Pigeon Enclosure except
when they are liberated in a controlled fashion using a one-way trap for re-entry
into a Pigeon Enclosure.
31. No Pigeon Owner shall feed the Pigeons outside of their Pigeon Enclosure.
32. No Pigeon Owner shall keep any Pigeon afflicted with an infectious or contagious
disease, unless under conditions approved by the Medical Officer of Health.
PART IV — Urban Chickens
33. No person shall keep Urban Chickens outside a Residential Hamlet (RH) Zone,
Rural Cluster (RC) Zone, or the boundaries of the Village or Orono.
34. No person shall keep Urban Chickens on any property containing multiple
Dwellings, including but not limited to a Converted, Duplex, Fourplex, Link
Townhouse, Linked, Maisonette, and Triplex Dwellings, or Apartment Buildings.
35. Urban Chicken Owners must reside at the property in which the Urban Chickens
are kept.
36. No person shall keep fewer than 2 Urban Chickens and no more than 4 Urban
Chickens on a property.
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37. No person shall keep Urban Chickens less than 4 months of age.
38. No person shall keep any roosters within their flock.
39. Urban Chickens shall only be kept for the purpose of egg -laying:
a. The sale or gifting of eggs or chicken products is not permitted, and
b. Urban Chickens shall not be slaughtered for meat consumption.
40. Every Owner shall keep their Urban Chickens in a Coop with an enclosed
exercise area that:
a. is located in the rear of the property,
b. provides for an appropriate amount of space for roosting and exercise
based on the number of birds kept,
c. is no taller than 2 metres in height at its tallest peak,
d. is no larger than 10 m2 all inclusive,
e. is setback a minimum of 2 metres from any property line, and
f. is setback a minimum of 10 metres from any neighbouring building.
41. Urban chickens shall be confined in their coop between the hours of 9:00 p.m.
and 6:00 a.m.
42. Coops and runs shall be maintained in a state of good repair, free of obnoxious
odours, and vermin and pests.
43. Every Owner shall ensure:
a. sufficient food and water is provided,
b. food is kept secured in rodent proof containers,
c. waste and manure is removed and disposed of in a sanitary manner, a
minimum of twice per week, and
d. deceased chickens are disposed of by means of a veterinary service or
deadstock removal professional.
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PART V — EXOTIC ANIMALS
Definitions
44. In this Part,
"Exotic Animal" includes Prohibited Animals, Livestock and "wildlife" as that term
is defined in the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c.41;
"Exotic Animal Entertainment Event" means any exhibit, public show, circus,
carnival or other display or act of entertainment or education using any live Exotic
Animal and includes the use of any such animal in any film or television
production within the Municipality;
"Permit" means a permit issued by the Municipal Clerk for an Exotic Animal
Entertainment Event in accordance with this Part; and
"Permit Holder" means a person to whom a Permit has been issued and includes
such person's employees, directors and agents.
Permit Requirement
45. No person shall operate or carry on an Exotic Animal Entertainment Event
without a Permit.
46. A separate Permit shall be required for each location at which an Exotic Animal
Entertainment Event occurs.
Permit Applications
47. Every Permit application shall,
(a) provide all of the information listed in Schedule "D";
(b) be accompanied by the fee prescribed for a Permit which is $50.00;
(c) provide written proof, satisfactory to the Municipal Clerk, that the applicant
is the owner of the property on which the Exotic Animal Entertainment
Event is to occur or written permission from the owner of the property; and
(d) include such other information as the Municipal Clerk may require to
properly assess the application.
Permit Approvals
48. The Municipal Clerk may approve or refuse any Permit application, and may
impose any conditions upon an approval as she determines to be appropriate.
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49. A Permit shall be valid only for the date or dates, time or times, and location
identified in the Permit.
50. Unless specifically provided otherwise, every Permit shall be subject to the
following conditions:
(a) The Permit Holder shall indemnify and save harmless the Municipality
from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, losses, costs or
damages, including third party personal injury claims, that the Municipality
may suffer, incur or be liable for resulting from the issuance of the Permit
whether with or without negligence on the part of the Permit Holder.
(b) The Permit Holder shall only exhibit or use the number and type of Exotic
Animals listed in the application.
(c) The Permit Holder shall only exhibit or use Exotic Animals using protective
devices that are adequate to prevent the Exotic Animals from escaping or
injuring the public.
(d) The Permit Holder shall provide the Exotic Animals with a species -
appropriate living environment.
(e) The Permit Holder accepts full responsibility for any Exotic Animal that
escapes from custody and agrees to take the necessary action to contain
such Animal and to ensure public safety.
(f) The Permit Holder shall ensure that all enclosures used to keep the Exotic
Animals are kept suitably illuminated and ventilated.
(g) The Permit Holder shall comply with all event plans included in the
application.
(h) Upon being so ordered by any emergency services personnel (police, fire
or health) or an Animal Services Officer, the Permit Holder shall
immediately terminate the Exotic Animal Entertainment Event.
51. A Permit Holder shall comply with all conditions of a Permit.
52. The Municipal Clerk shall refuse to issue a Permit where,
(a) the applicant is not at least 18 years of age;
(b) the applicant has not provided written proof of commercial general liability
insurance in an amount of not less than $5,000,000 with the municipality
as an additional insured, from an insurer licensed to provide insurance in
the Province of Ontario, covering the applicable time period of the permit;
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(c) the Exotic Animals involved in the Exotic Animal Entertainment Event
have not been inspected by an inspector appointed under the Ontario
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. 0.36;
or
(d) the Exotic Animals involved in the Exotic Animal Entertainment Event
have been inspected by an inspector appointed under the Ontario Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. 0.36 and
such inspector has determined that the applicant is not in compliance with
such Act.
53. The Municipal Clerk shall not issue a Permit unless the Fire Department has
provided written confirmation that they have no objection to the issuance of the
Permit.
54. The Municipal Clerk may refuse to issue a Permit where,
(a) the application is submitted less than 28 days before the Exotic Animal
Entertainment Event is scheduled to occur; or
(b) the promoter of the Exotic Animal Entertainment Event is not a member of,
or accredited by, either the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquaria, or
the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, or otherwise licensed by an
appropriate authority.
Revocation of Permit
55. The Municipal Clerk may revoke a Permit if,
(a) the Permit was issued in error;
(b) any condition contained in the Permit is not being complied with; or
(c) the Permit was issued as the result of false, mistaken, incorrect or
misleading statements, information or undertakings in the application.
56. If a Permit is revoked, the application fee shall not be returned to the applicant.
Exceptions
57. A Permit shall not be required for,
(a) petting zoos, agricultural shows or exhibits, pet shows and other like
shows provided that the Animals used in the event are not Exotic Animals;
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(b) public events involving Exotic Animals where the promoter of the event is
(i) the Owner of the Exotic Animals; and (ii) the owner of premises in the
Municipality that are exempt under clause (c), (d) or (e) of section 14; or
(c) public shows involving Exotic Animals that are under the care and control
of a person who is exempt under clause (f) of section 14.
Transfer
58. Permits are not transferable.
PART VI - ENFORCEMENT
Inspections
59. An Animal Services Officer may, at any reasonable time, enter upon any property
for the purpose of carrying out an inspection to determine whether or not the
provisions of this by-law have been complied with.
60. No person shall prevent, hinder, or interfere or attempt to prevent, hinder, or
interfere with an inspection undertaken by an Animal Services Officer
Offences and Penalties
61. Every person who contravenes any provision of this by-law is guilty of an offence
and upon conviction is liable to a fine pursuant to the provisions of the Provincial
Offences Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.33.
PART VII - GENERAL
Short Title
62. The short title of this by-law shall be the "Exotic Animal By -Law".
Repeal
63. By-law No. 93-161 is repealed.
Effective Date
64. This by-law shall be effective on the date that it is passed.
By-law passed this 4th day of June, 2012.
ORIGINAL BY-LAW SIGNED
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Schedule "A"
Prohibited Animals
CLASS
RESTRICTED
EXCEPTIONS
MAMMALIA
ALL
Domestic hamsters, mice, rabbits, rats,
(MAMMALS)
degus, gerbils, ferrets, chinchillas and
guinea pigs.
REPTILIA
ALL
Non -venomous constrictor serpents,
(REPTILES)
other than a member of the Boidae,
that are less than two (2) metres in
length.
Non -venomous lizards that are less
than two (2) meters in length from
snout to tip of tail.
AMPHIBIA
ALL
Non -venomous Anura (frogs and
(AMPHIBIANS)
toads) and Caudate (salamanders and
newts).
AVES
ALL
Orders of birds kept as household pets
(BIRDS)
including Passeriformes (perching
birds and song birds), and
Psittaciformes (parrots).
Pigeons as defined in section 23.
Urban Chickens kept in accordance
with Part IV.
INSECTA
ALL
All non -venomous insects including
(INSECTS)
non -venomous Arachnida (spiders)
and Chilopoda (centipedes)
CATEGORY
RESTRICTED
EXCEPTIONS
SALT AND FRESH
ALL VENEMOUS
None
WATER
VERTEBRATES AND
ORGANISIMS
INVERTEBRATES
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Schedule "B"
Livestock
Set out in this Schedule are some of the names of animals included in the Order of
animals referred to. The common names are provided for illustration purposes only and
are not intended to limit the extent of the Order.
Class: Mammalia (Mammals)
ORDER: Artiodact la: Even -toed hoofed Animals
Suidae
all pigs, warthog
Camelidae
llama, alpacas
Bovidae
sheep, goat, bison, cattle
ORDER: Carnivora: Carnivorous land Mammals
Mustelidae
mink, fisher, marten
ORDER: Perissidactyla: Odd -toed hoofed Animals
E uidae
horse, ass, mule
Class: Aves (Birds)
ORDER: Paleo nathae or Ratites
Struthoformes
ostriches
Rheiformes
rheas
Casuariformes
cassowaries, emus
Apterygiformes
kiwis
Anseriformes
ducks, geese, swans, screamers
Galliformes
chickens, partridge, pheasants, grouse,
uineafowls, turkeys
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Schedule "C"
Impound Fee Schedule
Impound Fee
$50.00
Daily Care Fee
$15.00/day
(Every impounded Animal is subject to a
charge for every day or part of a day after
the day the Animal is impounded
Third -party Daily Care Fee
At cost as charged by the third -party
(Where a Prohibited Animal is impounded
and a third party is contracted to care for
the Animal, the third -party care fee shall
be charged for every day or part of a day
the Animal is cared for by the third party)
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Schedule "D"
Exotic Animal Entertainment Event Permit Requirements
Information to be included in an Exotic Animal Entertainment Event Permit Application:
1. Date(s) of the Exotic Animal Entertainment Event provided that, where the event
occurs on more than one date, the dates are consecutive and do not exceed 3
days
2. Location of the Event
3. Name, address and phone number of the applicant
4. Name, address and phone number of the registered owner of the premises, and
written permission of the owner if different than the applicant
5. Times of commencement and termination of the Event
6. Expected attendance at the Event
7. An inventory of the Exotic Animals which will be used in the Event including, for
each Exotic Animal, the following information:
(a) species;
(b) description;
(c) age;
(d) gender;
(e) name;
(f) weight in kilograms; and
(g) a description of the performance or act in which the Exotic Animal is
involved.
8. Event Plans including,
(a) the location and particulars of the premises where the Event is taking
place;
(b) a description of the housing, cleaning procedures and general care of the
exotic animals involved, which is appropriate to the species involved;
(c) the distance between the Exotic Animal acts and the spectators and crowd
control measures;
(d) First aid logistics and medical equipment availability; and
(e) Protocol for controlling and containing any Exotic Animal.