Gaboon Viper Seized in Toronto

[ComoxCorn]

came across this article today. Thought some may be interested.

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100129/snake_cops_100129/20100129/?hub=TorontoNewHome

 

[snakewispera snr]

fair play to the press.... For once there was no BS and the hysteria level was set to low... LOL

 

[Lucille]

I would never get within smooching distance of one of those guys :nope:

 

[Teddy Roosevelt]

I don't understand, how did the noise complaint lead to snakes and why was the snake seized if they have exotic licenses?

 

[ComoxCorn]

I don't understand, how did the noise complaint lead to snakes and why was the snake seized if they have exotic licenses?

I didn't see anywhere in that story where it said they had an exotic license.

Police are still investigating. There is no word yet about whether any charges will arise. Vella said there is an exotic pets bylaw in Toronto

 

[tricksterpup]

See this happens alot more than people think and it goes unoticed and not reported to the media.
I know of one case record here in MN that someone got busted with a Gaboon Viper. It was picked up by a qualified keeper and I believe he has it now. Many Cities have laws against hots and other reptiles but the media is pretty oblivious to them and those cases are not reported.

 

[Shmoges]

snakes are the flame, rear fang venomous are the fuse, and venomous are the bomb!!

 

[Kokopelli]

I'm more inclined towards blaming irresponsible keepers rather than compare the snakes to bombs.

 

[Snakewhisperer]

That is a nice sized 'boon. Too bad the owner was too noisy.

 

[bitsy]

TORONTO MUNICIPAL CODE
ANIMALS

SCHEDULE A TO CH. 349
PROHIBITED ANIMALS

...
OTHER
All venomous and poisonous animals...

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/1184_349.pdf

No licencing system is mentioned, so presumably this ban has no exceptions for private keepers.

I struggle to feel sympathy for someone who keeps any animal in defiance of their local bylaws. Get caught, get prosecuted. Mind you, the snake looks to be in lovely condition.

 

[ComoxCorn]

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/1184_349.pdf

No licencing system is mentioned, so presumably this ban has no exceptions for private keepers.

I struggle to feel sympathy for someone who keeps any animal in defiance of their local bylaws. Get caught, get prosecuted. Mind you, the snake looks to be in lovely condition.

Toronto in fact does have a total ban on hots. So the keeper of this snake was in defiance of the local bylaws. I agree that the snake was well kept however.
Canada's reptile laws are governed provincially, not nationally. Individual municipal juristictions can also add their own bylaws. I believe in most cases, hots are tightly regulated as to who can possess them. Here in BC, we have recently have legislation passed and hots are not permitted by anyone in BC except under zoological and research permits.