HAMILTON SPECTATOR (Ontario) 07 June 10 Snake's escape highlights bylaw (Jenni Dunning)
Logan was just minding his own business when he sneaked outside for a slither and got caught.
The four-foot chocolate brown northern pine snake is illegal to own in Hamilton -- but its owner didn't know that. When Shirley Wood tried to reclaim her beloved pet from Animal Control -- who picked Logan up near W.H. Ballard Elementary School about a week and a half ago -- they found more illegal reptiles at her home and told her to get rid of them.
But Wood, who bought the reptiles from Hamilton pet stores, said she didn't know they were illegal.
"It's breaking my heart to give them up," said the lifelong Hamiltonian. "They're such an enjoyment to have. I've always been a reptile person."
Pet stores can own illegal species, such as pine snakes, kingsnakes and boa constrictors, as long as they don't sell them, said Debbie Spence, a city communications manager. It's a city bylaw that's got Wood scrambling to salvage what's left of her animal collection, and reptile store owners arguing the city's rules should be clearer.
Wood was given until June 15 to get rid of her four kingsnakes, three boas, two slider turtles, and a handful of water dragons.
She spent hundreds of dollars to purchase the reptiles in the last two years, plus $300 a month in hydro bills to keep their habitat lights and water pumps running.
All that's left are empty cages, some made from converted china hutches and closets.
Hamilton is a hotspot for reptiles with three major stores that sell the creatures -- The Reptile Store, Hamilton Reptile and Big Al's Aquarium Services.
Wood has a stack of receipts from all three of the city's major reptile stores.
"There's no sign in the store that says it's illegal to buy them," she said. "This is very upsetting."
The city's bylaw on owning exotic reptiles is "convoluted" and "doesn't make sense," said Paul Kennedy, who owns The Reptile Store.
He said he sells kingsnakes and tree boa constrictors, but he insists he's allowed to under the bylaw.
"I can sell them because they are merchandise," he said, adding he doesn't warn customers they're not allowed to own certain reptiles if they live in Hamilton because it's not his job.
The city is currently considering updating its bylaw on owning exotic species, but no changes will occur until early 2011, Spence said.
Big Al's sells sliders but only warns customers about how large they grow, said assistant manager Mike Majer.
"They're just a regular pet turtle. I don't know why they would take away her sliders," he said.
The owner of Hamilton Reptile couldn't be reached for comment.
Officials from the city's public health division check fire safety in pet stores with these animals, but they don't keep track of them, Spence said.
Wood said she's sorry Logan escaped his cage but said she'll be first in line if the bylaw's updated.
"If the law changes, I will get back my collection," she said. "I thought about getting a lawyer, but I don't think there's much you can do.
"Bylaws are bylaws."
Snake's escape highlights bylaw