WINNIPEG SUN (Manitoba) 02 November 08 Let's get serious about our pet scofflaws (Joyanne Pursaga)
When it comes to pets, why is it that owners seem to think the love of a cuddly friend or exotic creature supersedes the law?
Winnipeg has made international headlines over the past two weeks since a deadly West African gaboon viper lashed out and bit its owner in the face, causing a near fatal wound.
Fortunately, the 31-year-old victim received extensive medical care that saved his life in what could have become a preventable tragedy.
He's clearly lucky to be alive, since the venom of this deadly snake, which boasts the longest fangs and greatest venom yield of any African snake, can kill a human within minutes of a single strike.
Perhaps the man had a very compelling reason to own the snake. It may have been an animal he had a lifelong interest in, or perhaps even a unique form of companion.
Even if the man is guilty of knowingly violating the city's exotic pet bylaw by housing the snake inside city limits, the serious injury he sustained may be enough to prevent him from repeating his alleged offence.
He is now charged with violating the bylaw, which could lead to a fine of up to $1,000, if he is proven guilty.
Some may feel adding a civil charge after this injury is a little harsh, given the fact this man may still be recovering.
But the case offers a great example of why the city should enforce its ban on exotic pets, since the second the snake was believed to be loose in the community, the risk went far beyond the owner himself.
"No wild animal truly is (predictable) and so I guess you have to look at the consequences," Tim Dack, chief operating officer of Winnipeg's animal services division, told the Canadian Press last week. "It's one thing to own a small exotic snake that's not venomous and not a constrictor. A mistake may not cost you your life, or the life of a child or of a neighbour or whoever."
There remains a chance the man didn't even know owning this species of snake was prohibited by the city's exotic pet bylaw.
And whether he's guilty or innocent, the charge sends an important public message that defiance, even in the case of pet bylaws, won't be tolerated. One may wonder what the purpose of such a dangerous pet is, especially after the 10-day period when Winnipeggers were left to fear the snake could still be slinking loose through the city.
The wave of fear that spread when the deadly animal couldn't be located also supports the city's ban on venomous snakes.
Winnipeg Police assigned a team of detectives to ensure the snake wasn't a slithering public safety threat.
On Wednesday, police revealed there is strong evidence the snake was killed shortly after it attacked on Oct. 19.
A great deal of resources was also spent by our health-care system to nurse this man back to health, including the fly-in delivery of an antivenin from Toronto.
Pet bylaw enforcement may be especially important in Winnipeg, which has no shortage of devoted animal lovers.
If this week's outcry about the supposed plan to euthanize Reno, a retired canine officer of the police force, is any indication, big-hearted Winnipeggers are quick to defend any perceived threat to the rights of an animal.
Even after Winnipeg Police insisted the plan was never actually in place, residents continued joining the perceived fight to save the pooch.
Likewise, when the Winnipeg Humane Society championed the "Fluffy Law" this summer, a motion that would force all Manitoba apartment landlords to allow their tenants to keep pets, hundreds eagerly jumped on the bandwagon to lobby for the new law.
Unfortunately, many supporters gave little thought to the landlords who would have no choice but to put up with critters' scratches, stains and noise pollution, which they previously had the power to prevent.
The level of good will our city residents extend to pets can be heart-warming.
But when that passion conflicts with the law, civic or criminal, the rules meant to keep our communities safe must be enforced.
If there is enough evidence that someone has put their community at risk for the sake of having a "cool" pet, then that person must be charged to deter other Winnipeggers from following down the same path.
Let's get serious about our pet scofflaws

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