Toronto launches public consultation to address exotic animal and mobile zoo problem
TORONTO — Canada’s most populous city has an exotic animal problem.
Staff with the City of Toronto admit that a bylaw on prohibited animals contains loopholes allowing so-called mobile zoos — which take animals around for events ranging from birthday parties to church picnics — to flourish with little oversight, raising concerns about animal welfare and human health.
To deal with the issue, the city has launched a wide-ranging consultation on prohibited animals that involves an online survey for the public, as well as meetings with exotic animal businesses and animal welfare groups to address the “significant rise” in mobile zoos.
Toronto already has an extensive list of banned animals, such as monkeys, tigers and alligators, and owning one could result in a $240 fine. But the city admits there are weaknesses in the rules, particularly when it comes to mobile zoos.