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City council expected to pass new animal bylaws

John Bermingham, The Province
Published: Thursday, February 01, 2007

Vancouver city council is expected to pass new bylaws today regulating pet stores and protecting exotic animals. But animal lovers say the rules don't go far enough.

The city will ban possession of exotic pets like snakes, tigers and crocodiles. It will also prohibit pet stores from selling wild beasts, including turtles and birds of prey.

"We're trying to protect the health and welfare of the animals," chief licence inspector Paul Teichroeb said yesterday. "We're [also] concerned about the health and safety issues for the citizens of Vancouver."

Peter Fricker of the Vancouver Humane Society supports the changes but wants the ban on ownership extended. The new rules don't include primates, iguanas, boa constrictors, large lizards and venomous spiders, he said. "We don't understand why, if they are willing to prohibit them for sale, why they don't prohibit them from being kept," said Fricker.

The regulations call for an end to the use of wild animals in entertainment events.

Judy Stone of the Animal Advocates Society said the ban does not cover the use of domestic animals like dogs, cats, horses and goats in performances. "It doesn't prevent people from exploiting the animals that aren't exotic," said Stone.

Stone wants a ban on the use of animals in any public events, except ones that are socially acceptable, like Superdogs at the PNE.

New pet store regulations will set standards of care for the city's 10 pet stores, and require them to keep records on their animal suppliers.