TRURO, N.S. – A mish-mash of rules has resulted in dangerous situations across the country, according to the executive director of Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums.
Massimo Bergamini was in Truro to speak at the recent Atlantic Mayors’ Congress.
“We have an absolute mess of a system in place, if I could even use the word system,” he said. “It’s a hodge-podge that varies by jurisdiction.”
He said the assortment of regulations,
and issues around enforcement, have led to situations that are dangerous for both humans and animals.
Ontario, he says, has the worst system and people often relocate from areas with stricter rules to open facilities such as roadside zoos there.
“In Ontario you can’t own a pit bull but you can own a Bengal tiger,” he said.
After a woman in British Columbia was killed by a tiger in 2009, that province brought in the strictest regulations on exotic animals in the country.
“An Ontario man was also killed by his own tiger,” said Bergamini. “These people love, but are unable to care for, their animals.”
Many people who get an exotic animal as a pet hand it over to a zoo or rescue group when they find they are unable to care for it. In other cases animals are simply released outdoors, which usually results in their death.
“This is an area where governments can really make a difference by investing money in public education,” said Bergamini. “They could develop public service announcements on pet care and work with organizations and provide information on responsible pet care.”
He added that provincial legislation is required to bring in effective rules and he encourages Atlantic Canada to lead the way for the rest of the country.
lynn.curwin@tc.tc