(A) "Animal" as used in this chapter refers
to any "dangerous wild animal" as defined in divisions (C)(1) to (C)(20) of
section
935.01 of the Revised Code that
is possessed by the holder of a wildlife shelter permit, a wildlife propagation
permit, or a rescue facility permit issued under Chapter 935. of the Revised
Code.
The nonhuman primates listed in division (C)(20) of section
935.01 of the Revised Code are
exempted from rules 901:1-4-01.2 and 901:1-4- 01.3, of the Administrative
Code.
(B) "Animal
caretaker" means a person with knowledge and experience of zoology, animal
science, and biology sufficient for the daily care, maintenance, record
keeping, and well-being of physical facilities and animals in their
care.
(C) "Clean" means an
environmental condition free of unwanted matter such as solids, liquids, gases
or living organisms that have the potential to cause adverse effects to the
health and well-being of animals and humans.
(D) "Dig barrier" means a deterrent that is
part of a primary enclosure and that is of sufficient strength and design to
prevent the enclosed animal from being able to dig under the walls of the
primary enclosure.
(E) "Elevated
platform" means a surface or structure positioned above the floor, or above the
grade level of an enclosure, that will provide for the animal's
welfare.
(F) "Equivalent" as used
in this chapter means a material that is equal to or greater in strength than
the materials specified for use by this chapter.
If permit applicants desire to use equivalent materials, they
may request a determination from the department that their desired materials
are of an equivalent strength.
(G) "Permit holder" means those persons
possessing dangerous wild animals pursuant to a "wildlife shelter permit", a
"wildlife propagation permit", or a "rescue facility permit" as set forth in
Chapter 935. of the Revised Code.
(H) "Primary enclosure" means the enclosure
that directly houses an animal and where the animal may come into direct
contact with the enclosure material.
(I) "Safety entrance" means a secure area in
the primary enclosure that can be entered by a caretaker that prevents an
animal's escape and protects the caretaker, or a device that can be activated
by the caretaker to prevent an animal's escape and safeguards the entry.
A safety entrance shall be constructed of material equivalent
to the primary enclosure and include:
(1) A double door and locking
mechanism;
(2) Interconnecting
cages; or,
(3) A lock down area or
other comparable device.
(J) "Secondary enclosure" means an enclosure
that serves as a perimeter fence surrounding all primary enclosures, or an
individual secondary enclosure built around each primary enclosure. A secondary
enclosure must be constructed so that it protects the animals in the enclosure
by restricting animals and unauthorized persons from outside of the facility
from having contact with the animals in the facility.
(K) "Shelter" means a structure or natural
feature within or attached to the primary enclosure that protects the animal
from adverse weather conditions and is appropriate for the animal's
size.
(L) "Shift cages" are
enclosures that can temporarily contain the animal and be closed off from the
primary enclosure to allow for servicing of the primary enclosure.
(M) "Veterinary-Client-Patient-Relationship"
(VCPR) has the same meaning as defined in section
4741.04 of the Revised
Code.
(N) Dead animals must be
disposed of pursuant to section
941.14 of the Revised
Code.
(O) Distress occurs when
animals are injured, sick, in pain, or are in inappropriate environmental
conditions.
(P) Devices, or any
other related equipment used to handle, sort, or move animals, must minimize
distress and must be maintained in proper working order at all times.
(Q) Emergency lighting shall be available at
each dangerous wild animal facility.
(R) Euthanasia must follow the American
veterinary medical association guidelines.
(S) A person issued a restricted snake
possession permit or restricted snake propagation permit shall comply with the
standards adopted by the zoological association of America regarding care and
housing and in effect on September 5,
2012.
(T) Nothing in the
rules adopted in this chapter shall be construed to prevent a licensed
veterinarian, or other person acting under the veterinarian's supervision, from
meeting the standards set forth in Chapter 4741. of the Revised Code or rules
promulgated thereunder.