As per latest news reports in the province of New Brunswick in Canada , an appointed provincial task force released 29 recommendations designed to improve safety governing exotic animals in the province.
All 29 recommendations were accepted by the DNR(Dept. of Natural Resources) and a committee will be established to implement all of them.(No specific timeline has been implemented yet regarding this but hopefully will be in place as soon as possible).
This task force was built up in 2014 after the 2 Barthe brothers(Noah and Connor) were asphyxiated by an African rock python in August 2013.
It also calls for establishment of inspection standards and criteria for all categories of exotic animal keepers.
It also requests a wide public education initiative addressing laws associated dangers, legal species and challenges of owning exotic species.
The New Brunswick Veterinary Medical Association members have been requested to be made aware of all approved exotic animals in New Brunswick and to report any prohibited exotic animals as well.
An advisory committee is also requested to periodically review the exempted list(exotic animals allowed without a permit) and make changes accordingly specifically on turtles and 9 boa constrictor species that are listed. It will be up to ths committee to determine which animals should be on the exempt list.
Recommendations to have law enforcement have the authority to issue tickets in response to incidents or offences related to exotic animals.
It isn’t yet sure at this point what available govt resources would be in place or available to put these recommendations in fruition but that the necessary personnel who will be in place will already have received the additional training or different task distributions.
This report was never intended as the authorities had said to point blame on anyone but to put something positive in place to prevent a future tragedy. They also said that all stakeholders involved will be held accountable to make sure all these recommendations get implemented.
Accdg. to the boys’ grandfather it’ll never complete the healing process of grief for these 2 boys but hope that all these recommendations do get enforced.
My thoughts exactly! God bless their souls!
Josie
josiesvoice 