New Ontario bill to prevent tragic tiger maulings

Nov 1, 2010

In Ontario, there are no restrictions on keeping a tiger in a roadside zoo or as a pet in your own backyard.
© WSPA

The tragic death of Norman Buwalda, the Southwold resident who was mauled by his pet tiger earlier this year, is the type of tragedy that may be prevented in future thanks to a new Private Member’s bill introduced today by MPP Dave Levac (Brant).

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is applauding this bill, and urging the province to pass it quickly. WSPA, for more than a decade, has been working to improve regulations around keeping exotic animals in captivity.

If passed, The Exotic Wildlife in Captivity Act will regulate the ownership and acquisition of exotic wildlife and require anyone wishing to own exotic wildlife to apply for a licence through the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). The licence would require owners to  provide the animals with suitable housing and care based on the needs of the animal, keep the public safe from danger and surrender the animals to the MNR should they fail in any of these duties.

Currently, Ontario is the only province that does not require a licence to keep dangerous exotic animals, and an estimated 500 exotic animals are kept as pets in the province. While some municipalities have by-laws to prohibit the keeping of certain animals, there is a patchwork of regulations.  Norman Buwalda’s death was a tragic example of the danger posed by patchwork municipal regulations, and why regulations at the provincial level are urgently needed.

“Ontario is the only province that allows anyone to keep exotic animals like tigers in their backyard without a licence. This is a serious animal welfare and public safety problem and Ontarians overwhelmingly support action to address it. The bill will restrict ownership of dangerous exotic wildlife to professional zoos and set limits on exactly who can keep exotic wild animals in captivity and under what conditions.” Melissa Matlow, Programs Officer, WSPA Canada

"David Levac’s bill is giving us an opportunity to make things right – for the safety of Ontarians and the animals involved.” Melissa Matlow, Programs Officer, WSPA Canada

Visit WSPA's website: www.ontariozoos.ca