Press Release: Municipalities and Ontarians support provincial licensing for exotic animals
Feb 9, 2010
© WSPA
TORONTO, February 9, 2010: One month after a Southwold man was killed by his pet tiger, there are more calls for the provincial government to implement licensing for exotic animals. Southwold Council, Elgin County, and London Controller Gina Barber are all asking the province to step in.
A recent poll (Oraclepoll) commissioned by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) shows that Ontarians agree – 79 percent believe that the provincial government should ban the keeping of exotic animals as pets.
On January 25, Southwold Council passed a resolution asking the provincial government to develop comprehensive legislation regulating the exotic animal industry, noting that there is a patchwork of municipal bylaws that may not prevail if challenged in court. Southwold is forwarding a copy of their resolution to all municipalities in Ontario and encouraging them to pass similar resolutions.
Southwold’s resolution was unanimously supported by Elgin County on January 26. Steve Peters, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London, was quoted as saying he is 100 percent behind the need for a province-wide law.
On January 18, just days after Norman Buwalda’s death, police in Connaught discovered a six-foot-long alligator in a house, and on January 29 police discovered five snakes in a Toronto apartment, one of which was a four-foot-long venomous East African Gaboon Viper. In Ontario, there have been about 50 incidents reported since 1985 of exotic animals — including tigers, lions, jaguars, bobcats, bears and wolves - either escaping from roadside zoos, sanctuaries, exhibits or private properties or attacking people.
Ontario is the only province that does not require a licence to keep exotic wildlife — just about anyone can keep a tiger as a pet. Despite recommendations from WSPA and other groups, licensing is a key component that was left out when Ontario strengthened its animal cruelty legislation in 2009. As a result, WSPA believes there will continue to be cases like the one in Southwold, putting community safety at risk and leaving animals in poor, substandard conditions with owners who have little or no experience, qualifications or finances to care for them properly.
About the Oraclepoll
Between January 14 and January 26 2010, Oraclepoll conducted a telephone survey of 860 randomly selected residents of the province of Ontario who are 18 years old and over. The margin of error for the survey is +-3.3%, 19/20 times.
• 79% are of the opinion that the provincial government should ban the keeping of exotic animals as pets, compared to 16% that felt it should not.
• Among those that do not support a ban, 79% agreed that there should be licenses for exotic animal ownership and having these animals restricted to professional zoos.
• 81% agreed that exotic wild animals in their neighbourhood would pose a threat to them and their family, compared to 13% that disagreed.
• 95% agreed that those who own and work with exotic animals should be required to demonstrate experience and training in handling wild animals before obtaining a provincial licence.
Quotes
“After the tragic death of Mr. Buwalda, Premier Dalton McGuinty assured Ontarians that his government would review its policies to see if Ontario should introduce regulations for exotic animals. This is a clear signal that the people of Ontario want him to act now.”
Melissa Matlow, WSPA Canada
“The World Society for the Protection of Animals has asked before, and we are renewing our call on the Ontario government to implement licensing and prevent future deaths and injuries.”
Melissa Matlow, WSPA Canada
"I'm 100% behind the need for a province-wide law. I don't think it's appropriate to leave it up to individual municipalities. We don't need to have a patchwork of bylaw. We need a consistent law province-wide."
MPP Steve Peters speaking to the St. Thomas Times-Journal
“We feel this is very important. We feel that our hands are tied and something needs to be done by the province."
Southwold Mayor Jim McIntyre, speaking to the St. Thomas Times-Journal
A copy of Southwold council’s resolution can be obtained from their website or by clicking here.
About WSPA
For more than 25 years, the World Society for the Protection of Animals has been working to end animal suffering and cruelty. WSPA’s presence in more than 140 countries is testament to our commitment to creating a world where animal welfare matters and ending animal cruelty for good. Through partnerships with hundreds of animal welfare organizations, WSPA strives to build a global animal welfare movement. We bring about change at both grassroots and governmental levels and we support and develop high-profile campaigns, scientifically-backed projects and innovative education initiatives. With our members, governments and international agencies, WSPA also provides relief to animals affected by disasters.
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