Oshawa looking at allowing tarantulas, scorpions

OSHAWA -- Tarantulas, scorpions, pythons and boas could soon be permitted pets in Oshawa.



A year after council approved major changes to Oshawa's pet bylaw, a committee of local animal experts is recommending a few more tweaks, including changes to the list of prohibited pets.



The 11-member consultative committee was established last spring to critique the new bylaw and recently issued a series of recommendations.



They want to see the rules relaxed to allow tarantulas, scorpions, python and boa snakes and some types of pigs to be kept as pets in Oshawa.



City staff is giving the thumbs down to pigs but they support allowing tarantulas and scorpions as long as all other spiders remain banned, as well as the dangerous death stalker scorpion.



The City is also OK with allowing boas and pythons of a reasonable size. The suggestion is to ban those that can reach an adult length of three metres or more, including the reticulated python, African rock python and amethystine python.



"This recognizes that not everyone has traditional pets, but it also protects public safety," said Kevin Feagan, manager of municipal law enforcement.



He said the City is uncomfortable allowing pigs because there are potential issues with property damage, noise and odour.



A new City report on the issue was discussed at the April 21 meeting of council's finance and administration committee.



Councillors said they needed more time to look over the information and referred the matter to the next committee meeting on May 12.



City staff supports several other recommendations from the expert committee, including establishing a volunteer program at Oshawa's animal services facility and beefing up marketing and advertising to increase animal adoptions at the City pound.



However, City staff is saying no to other suggestions such as keeping the consultative committee permanently, expanding hours at animal services and licensing local pet stores and kennels.



Debbie Grills, who owns a local exotic pet store with her husband, contributed to the committee and says she is frustrated that City staff opposes some of the expert recommendations.



In particular, she says licensing pet stores is vital to protect animals.



"The City doesn't get the call if an animal is abused or mistreated at a pet store, it goes to the SPCA. The City doesn't know what's going on in these stores," she said.



Ms. Grills also wants to see the consultative committee retained so it can provide expert advice to council when animal issues arise.



In March 2010, council approved several changes to the pet bylaw including progressive fines that can climb as high as $25,000 for repeat offenders and the ability for City officers to force owners to get veterinary care for their pets.



It was the first major review of the bylaw since it was created in 1996.

www.newsdurhamregion.com/news/article/175979

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