In the province of Ontario, Canada, housing and community safety ministers are reevaluating exotic pet regulations following the death of two boys, who were killed by a pet python in the province of New Brunswick on August 5.
Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Linda Jeffrey, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and David Orazietti, Minister of Natural Resources, released the following statement Tuesday, according to Simon Ostler of CP24:
The recent events in New Brunswick have touched many Ontario families who need to know that the rules are in place to help avoid such tragedies in our own province.
Currently, the responsibility for dealing with exotic animals falls to individual municipalities, which each have their own approach to bylaws and enforcement.
As a result, the Ontario government will review the rules in place dealing with the possession and ownership of exotic animals in the province. Our three ministries will create a working group to examine the current structure and whether any changes need to be made. The government will also seek input from key stakeholders, including municipalities, and report back this fall with options for moving forward.
The safety and well-being of all Ontarians is of greatest importance.