Hastings County has taken a stand on the keeping of exotic animals.
At its meeting this week, county council approved a move to have the warden write to the province calling for the federal and provincial governments to enact standards restricting the keeping of exotic animals.
In his letter, Warden Rick Phillips says it should address health, public safety, animal welfare, environmental issues and emergency responder awareness.
“Many municipalities do not have the resources to properly research, draft, enact and enforce a by-law to regulate exotic animals. Providing federal and provincial legislation will provide clear standards in managing exotic animals and strengthen and support enforcement of municipal by-laws relating to exotic animals.”
Currently there is no legislation in Ontario regulating and managing exotic animals, therefore, the responsibility lies with the municipalities.