New Brunswick Exotic Animals Task Force Provides Recommendations to Provincial Government

New Brunswick’s Exotic Animal Task Force provided their report focusing on the management of exotic animals to the provincial government. The Department of Natural Resources has accepted all recommendations and is creating a committee to implement them. Natural Resources Minister, Denis Landry said, “Our government is committed to ensuring that New Brunswickers live in the safest communities possible. We thank the Exotic Animals Task Force for their hard work and dedication on this matter, and we look forward to working with stakeholder groups and New Brunswick residents to implement their strategic recommendations.”

The report contains 29 recommendations that are grouped in themes:

• Interagency Coordination
• Inspection and Enforcement Framework
• Education and Communication
• Documentation of policies and procedures
• Legislation

In 2014, the Exotic Animals Task Force was given a mandate to:

• Review existing provincial legislation, regulations, programs, and policies.
• Identify weaknesses that concern human health.
• Create a report that provides specific recommendations as to how the existing regulations can be modified.

Bruce Dougan, Chair or the Exotic Animals Task Force said, “I thank everyone who worked on the task force. I believe we produced a report that will help strengthen laws and regulations for the province. I also thank everyone who provided us with their invaluable input and advice.”

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Exotic snake conversation resumes after arrest made in fatal case

The lawyer for a man who owned the python that killed two young boys in New Brunswick in August 2013 says his client has been arrested in the case. 

READ MORE: Exotic pets overwhelms Urban Animal Conversations 

Four-year-old Noah Barthe and his six-year-old brother Connor were killed in New Brunswick after a 45-kilogram African rock python escaped its enclosure and allegedly asphyxiated the boys. 

In July last year, RCMP said they compiled the investigation into their deaths and handed the case to the Crown to determine whether charges should be laid. 

READ MORE: Arrest made in fatal python cae in New Brunswick 

What is the future of exotic pets in Canada?

The Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources seized a 5.5 metre, 150-pound reticulated python in Yarmouth on Monday. 

With the case underway, reptile specialist Mike MacDonald and police are mum on where and how the snake was found and what its fate might be. In Nova Scotia, owning a reticulated python without a license is a violation of the province's Wildlife Act. 

CBC NEWS ARTICLE

Large snakes continue to headline national news after two boys were killed by a python two weeks ago. With exotic pet ownership, and species specific bans as well as licensing and import regulations prevalent in urban animal industry conversations, it is more important than ever to consider the solutions and outcomes related to existing pet owners. 

Owners have registered 131 snakes as pets on the PetLynx utility in Canada. Expanding this automated national registry to include all exotic, dangerous or disruptive animals would assist pet owners to have a positive pet experience by facilitating communication during such events. It could also reduce the occurrences of abandonment and other unintended consequences by fearful owners. 

The Friday Forum of Summit 2013 is likely to feature this conversation in more detail. Organizers have invited officials to present evidence that would be beneficial to the discussion of exotic pets that presently exist in Canada.Please contact Sheena Neel or Shannon Woodward if you wish to be nominated into this conversation. This discussion may be one of the most interesting in the eight years of the Summits for Urban Animal Strategies.

ALUMNI REGISTRATION FOR SUMMIT 2013

Are Exotic Pet Bans an Appropriate Answer??

The New Brunswick python attack has stimulated Urban Animal conversations across North America. In an effort to make this conversation available across the industry, InfoStream will open a new conversation in the Urban Animal Group area of LinkedIn. Here are some of the ideas and thoughts collected so far:

• Talk of municipal bans aimed at exotic pets has prompted a PIJAC Canada Blog
• A conversation involving municipal enforcement has undertaken the review of exotic pet legislation to understand if dangerous animals may be removed from a premises without charging the pet owner.
• A conversation has developed around an 'amnesty program' to be delivered by members of the local community such as pet retailers, humane, rescue and veterinary organizations that would allow non-compliant or dangerous animals to be surrendered in a manner safe for both people and pets.

Please join the conversation as you are able. These contributions will be made available to Summit 2013 Directors, Dr. Jason Coe and Dr. Drew VanNiekerk so they can be included in the onsite conversations.