Opponents of a proposed Thorold ban on many exotic pets packed city Thorold council chambers Tuesday.

The proposed animal care and control bylaw covers the regulation and control of all domestic pets.

However, it also prohibits exotic animals, such as monkeys, reptiles and predatory birds.

The bylaw was prompted, in part, by an Oct. 6 council meeting in which Coun. Jim Handley asked staff to prepare a report outlining options, including a ban, for dealing with exotic pets kept by Thorold residents.

That followed a police discovery of three lions, a jaguar, parrots and a monkeys during a drug bust at a property at Kottmeier and Holland roads.

Animal protection officers with the Lincoln County Humane Society investigated, but didn't press charges against property owners because there are no bylaws in Thorold banning people from keeping exotic pets.

At Tuesday's session, Melissa Morabito introduced herself as the director of The Exotic Animal Rescue Society (TEARS).

She said TEARS is not the same as an endangered animal sanctuary that was previously turned down by council.

Two years ago, Thorold council rejected that animal refuge proposal by a group that called itself The Endangered Animal Rescue Society.

At the time, that group's Chris Morabito said he didn't see the point in pursuing the sanctuary plan after it was rejected by the city.

Morabito was among six men arrested in the drug bust.
Melissa Morabito said she wouldn't discuss recent events, "because we really should all remember that a person is innocent until proven guilty."

She added "certain people have decided to use us as an example of the need to implement this bylaw."

"There is no reason for this (proposed bylaw) other than one's personal vendetta against the Morabitos," she said.

All of their animals were found by humane society staff to be in good condition, she added.

Her fear about the proposed bylaw was "more people are going to keep quiet as to what animals they have, making it more dangerous for the community."

Morabito suggested a better idea would be for Thorold stakeholders to come up with a list of animals that should be prohibited "and some alternative solutions for animals that (shouldn't).

"What will happen to all these prohibited animals?" she said. "There is nowhere for them to go."

Rob Aichele, part owner of Thorold-based Reptile Kingdom, spoke earlier in the public session.

His business has a retail store and is involved in reptile rescue and educational shows.

"Our concern is whether this properly protects animals and the public while remaining fair to those responsible owners of what are considered exotic animals," Aichele said.

"We also want to note the impact this may have on businesses that provide public education, raise awareness and provide a service to the community."

There are those, he said, who prefer the company of pets like reptiles. The bylaw, he said, "should allow people to own exotic pets that do not pose a risk to the general public."

The bylaw's final version will be drafted and later presented to council.
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