Reptile & Amphibian Forums

To anyone, I'd really like to take my BCI out for a walk. Does anyone know the laws in Montreal regarding that? Is it allowed? She is 9 ft long. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much

What would the purpose of taking such a large sized animal for a walk? Imo its better to keep them inside (or your own yard) regardless of laws to avoid any headaches from harassment (which will usually happen) And all it would take is one pig headed ill informed person seeing you with the animal to start lobbying for laws if none are already in place.
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Randall L Turner Jr.
Boas make the world go round.

Once Apone a time I hade a California King Snake, Wild caught, it was my first snake. I use to take it for walks every day. One day I walked past a house and a little girl playing in her yard saw it and screamed and ran off. Later that day somehow her parents found out where I lived and talked to my parents. I never scared her intentionally but she said I chased her with it. For my false crimes my father forced me to release the snake. I was devastated. I was only about 14-15 at the time. After a week or 2 my parents found out the little girl lied and purchased a hatchling Burmese Python for me “Great pet for a kid huh?” Anyway the moral of the story is there are dumb a$$holes out there that will do what ever it takes to screw up your day. Don’t bother. You will be much happier in the long run when you get to keep your snakes, Had I been able to see the future and see what was going to happen that day I would have never gone for that walk and I would still have my little Kapeash the king snake.
My Research and Collection

Ok, Thank you for your story. I've had her for 5 years now and I've personally known her for over 10 years (my BCI) and I definatly wouldn't want to lose her. I'll just keep her indoors and let her roam around the condo as always.

Thanks again,

Fred009

Hmm, good point. Thanks for your info.

i dont know about canada...but here in harris county texas....i walk around with my boas all the time with rarely a bad comment (unless you count people trying to buy my beloved pets lol)granted my boas arent 9'...they are only 4-6'...but ive been informed that my walking my boas is perfectly legal (by numerous police officers...but i wouldnt take any really big snake out in public...it maybe the tamest snake on earth and granted most dogs are more likely to bite perfect strangers than a hand raised boa (and no one berates them for wanting to show off their potionally dangerous pets)but you let one stupid person touch or hold your pet and they are not used to handling snakes or dont know how to handle them then that person could be hurt...not to mention they could hurt your pet...and it ends up on the eleven o clock news...if you want to handle your snake in public...do it somewere were its cool to do just that...a petstore maybe or an area with not a lot of people around,you could ask your local library or school if you could put on a little snake show or something like that...in closing be very careful when taking your snake out in public...and never...ever take one into walmart (learned my lesson the hard way lol)

Yeah, unfortunately if you are off of your own property, you can get into a world of trouble by walking around with your snake. Not so much that someone will arrest you for having it out, but there are lots of people who have great fear of snakes. My aunt, for example, informed me that she will NEVER visit my house again because she knows I have them. Regardless of where I put them or lock them up, she won't step foot in the house.

Yes, the same is true with dogs, some people have fear of dogs, but fluffy mammals tend to get a lot more leniency...

If you were out walking and encountered someone who was scared of the snake, they could possibly try to sue you or pursue some other legal action due to their "trauma" (yes, I quoted it, heck, I'm scared of spiders but I just avoid them and wouldn't care if someone took a tarantula for a walk as long as they didn't try to make me hold it). Also, should your snake lash out at anyone (say if a kid runs up to the snake and tries to pat it on the head), that's another headache.

I personally want to take my snakes out as much as I can, there are so many more reptile enthusiasts out there than you would imagine. But anywhere people are, there is fear and misunderstanding, and so the general rule of thumb is that you should not have a reptile in a public place where the general public would "not expect to encounter an exotic reptile" - so bringing one to a reptile show would be ok, but not other places. I try to bring a snake to work once a week and have a travel cage set up in my cubicle - you'd be surprised at the number of people who come up to me asking questions and asking to see & hold them, but I also do not walk around the office with the snake on my arm, so that those with fears will always know the snake is in my cube and nowhere else.

Yeah, you make a very good point regarding peoples' fears...My own mother still hasen't seen her and I've had her 5 years! I never thought of lawsuites and stuff like that..it all makes sense, though. I truly appreciate all the responses I've gotten...and because of it, I now know it is better to keep her indoors, unless I really know it is safe to take her out.
Thanks again,

Fred