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Ontario to review exotic pet ownership rules

An RCMP cruiser sits outside Reptile Ocean in Campbellton, N.B., on August 6, 2013.
An RCMP cruiser sits outside Reptile Ocean in Campbellton, N.B., on August 6, 2013. John LeBlanc/The Canadian Press

TORONTO – The Ontario government wants to review the rules surrounding exotic animal ownership in the province.

The announcement comes after two children were strangled to death by an escaped python in New Brunswick earlier this month.

READ MORE: Two boys killed by python died from asphyxiation

“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,” said the government in a press release.

Individual municipalities, which each have their own bylaws and enforcement practices, are currently responsible for dealing with exotic pets.

Three ministerial offices including, Community Safety and Correctional Services, Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Natural Resources, will form “a working group to examine the current structure and whether any changes need to be made.”

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The media release further states that “the government will also seek input from key stakeholders, including municipalities, and report back this fall with options for moving forward.”

The federal government said last week it will look at exotic pet store rules in the wake of the two deaths.

 

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