Posted by:
EricWI
at Fri Sep 18 09:33:59 2009 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by EricWI ]
Here is an updated story on this-
OSHAWA -- John Gagnon got his first pet snake as a gift for his tenth birthday, and hasn't looked back since.
The Oshawa man, now 31, has had dozens of slithery pets over the years, everything from a blood python, to a kingsnake he describes as "incredibly docile."
"I like them because they're interesting pets, they're amazing to watch. When people walk in your house, they're like 'wow!'," he said.
Mr. Gagnon only has one snake right now, a corn snake named Earl. What he'd really like is a boa, but they're prohibited in Oshawa, despite being non-venomous and legal in many other municipalities.
"It doesn't make sense, boas aren't dangerous as long as they're not too big," he said. "It seems like these laws are made by people who don't know anything about exotic animals."
Mr. Gagnon isn't the only one who wants to see the laws in Oshawa changed.
It was standing room only Thursday night as about 70 people packed the Civic Auditorium for a public meeting on proposed changes to Oshawa's pet bylaw.
The Responsible Pet Owners Bylaw was created in 1996 and is now undergoing its first major review.
The most contentious issue is prohibited animals.
The crowd was overwhelmingly opposed to the animals currently prohibited, and those that would be added to the list under the proposed new rules.
Pet store owners and exotic animal enthusiasts argue the existing rules ban perfectly safe animals that make great pets and are allowed in many neighbouring communities, such as Ajax and Port Perry which recently updated their laws.
For example, the City doesn't currently allow non-venomous snakes like boas or pythons, which reptile lovers say are safe as long as they're relatively small -- about three meters or less -- when fully grown.
Spiders of any kind are also prohibited, despite the fact that exotic experts argue "new world" tarantulas -- those from Central, South or North America -- are safe, because the small amount of venom they produce is used for digestion, not harming prey or people.
The proposed new rules take things a step further by including all the animals prohibited in the original version, and adding new ones such as sugar gliders, flying squirrels, ducks, monitor lizards and chinchillas.
Frustrated pet owners who already own these animals say it's unfair that, if the new rules are passed by council, they would have 90 days to get rid of them.
"We've had an Asian water monitor in our store for nine years, since she was a baby ... we love her," said Debbie Grills, who owns the D&D Exotics pet store in Oshawa with her husband Doug. "She's a joy for kids to come in and look at, seniors come in on walking trips to see her, she's not a threat to anyone."
Oshawa resident Aurlee Stiles owned a chinchilla for eight years and says it was one of her favourite pets. She wants to get another one, and is shocked that the furry little creatures are among those the City plans to ban.
"They're as friendly as can be, they're quiet, they're clean, I can't understand what the problem could be," she said.
Also frustrated is Sandra Tukendorf, whose family recently got a python and is hoping to get a second one so they can breed.
"As long as they're cared for properly and handled properly, they're not dangerous," she said. "They're so beautiful to look at, the colours are stunning. They're great pets."
Ms. Grills worries that if the new bylaw gets the green light from council, it won't prevent people form keeping exotic pets in Oshawa -- it will just diminish the care they receive.
"All this will do is drive our industry underground, people won't get their animals the medical care they need because they're worried that if they take them to the vet they'll be taken away from them," she said.
Public comments can still be submitted to the City by e-mailing the City clerk's department at clerks@oshawa.ca
http://www.newsdurhamregion.com/news/article/135830
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RE: Oshawa to wrap its teeth around exotic p - EricWI, Fri Sep 18 09:33:59 2009