After creating a template for its own guidelines last month, Hastings County is pushing the feds and the province to implement standard rules governing the ownership of exotic animals.
Ontario is the only province in Canada without its own standards on exotic animal ownership, after downloading that responsibility to municipalities in 2001.
Hastings County Warden Rick Phillips tells Quinte News the request stems from some issues with exotic animals in parts of Hastings County.
“We’ve had some issues with exotic animals now. Some resident has moved in and brought lions and tigers and whatever, and that’s what’s brought the issue up front. These individuals show up with different types of wild animals, so we want a consistent by-law across the board.”
County staff feel the guidelines are important to protect public health and safety, animal welfare and environmental issues caused by the ownership and exhibition of exotic pets.
