(A) If a dangerous wild animal or restricted snake escapes, the person that possesses the animal or snake immediately shall notify both of the following:

(1) The sheriff of the county and the chief law enforcement officer of the township or municipal corporation where the escape occurred;

(2) The division of animal health in the department of agriculture by means of the twenty-four-hour telephone number that is maintained by the division.

(B)

(1) A law enforcement officer or natural resources law enforcement officer may destroy a dangerous wild animal or restricted snake that has escaped and that poses a threat to public safety.

(2) A law enforcement officer or natural resources law enforcement officer that destroys an escaped dangerous wild animal or restricted snake pursuant to division (B)(1) of this section is not liable for damages in a civil action for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly arises from the destruction of the animal or snake.

(C) The person that possesses a dangerous wild animal or restricted snake that escapes is responsible for all reasonable costs associated with the capture or destruction of the animal or snake. The person shall reimburse the political subdivision that employs the law enforcement officer who captured or destroyed the dangerous wild animal or restricted snake for the costs incurred in capturing or destroying the animal or snake. However, if the law enforcement officer is a state highway patrol trooper or if a natural resources law enforcement officer captured or destroyed the dangerous wild animal or restricted snake, the person shall reimburse the state highway patrol or department of natural resources, as applicable, for those costs.

(D)

(1) Except as provided in division (D)(2) of this section, money collected under division (C) of this section shall be credited to a special fund, which is hereby created in the applicable political subdivision. Money in the special fund shall be used exclusively for the administration and enforcement of this chapter and rules.

(2) Money collected under division (C) of this section for costs incurred by a state highway patrol trooper or a natural resources law enforcement officer under this section shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the dangerous and restricted animal fund created in section 935.25 of the Revised Code.

(3) If law enforcement officers from more than one jurisdiction assist in the capture or destruction of a dangerous wild animal or restricted snake, the money collected shall be proportionally distributed to each political subdivision's special fund and the dangerous and restricted animal fund, if applicable.

Added by 129th General AssemblyFile No.113, SB 310, §1, eff. 9/5/2012.