SASKATOON – More details are coming out about two boys who died after a horrific attack by an African Rock Python in New Brunswick over the long weekend.
The tragedy has many residents questioning how this happened and if the animals are allowed in Saskatchewan.
“They can be dangerous simply because they are extremely strong, most people don’t realize how strong they can be,” said John Moran, Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo manager.
Every province has rules about exotic pets but they vary.
In Saskatchewan, there are regulations in place to prevent people from having exotic animals, including pythons.
“There are some larger more dangerous snakes that people try to import in directly and with the online sales of pets that’s become an escalating problem not only for Saskatchewan but for all jurisdictions in Canada and North America for that matter,” said Lyle Saigeon, with the ministry of environment.
The City of Saskatoon has its own bylaw on top of provincial regulations.
A city solicitor says there have been a few incidents where a problem has been resolved by animal control, and so far their office has never prosecuted anyone for owning or harbouring an exotic or wild animal.
“It’s best to leave the handling of the exotic animals to people who have spent their life learning how to handle them, have safety protocols in place and leave it at that,” said Moran.
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