VHS warned government about tiger
Author:
Vancouver Humane Society
Publication Date:
May 14, 2007
VHS warned the B.C. Ministry of the Environment in 2006 about the danger posed by the tiger that killed a woman at a private zoo near 100 Mile House on May 10.
In a letter to the ministry on December 1, 2006 VHS stated:
"In our opinion, the enclosures are inadequate and these animals are not being kept in humane conditions. More importantly, as you can see from the enclosed, there is not adequate fencing to protect the public from these wild and potentially dangerous animals. As well, the animals are taken into public places including schools and malls, in which the public, including small children, is encouraged to not only get into close proximity, but also to engage in touching and other activities. This, in our opinion, is a disaster waiting to happen."
VHS has been monitoring Siberian Magic, the company that kept the tiger and a number of other exotic animals for display, charging for children to have their picture taken with tigers and to pet the animals. In 2005, VHS protests stopped Siberian Magic from displaying tigers at restaurant party in Whistler, B.C.
VHS, Zoocheck Canada and other animal protection agencies have long called for legislation and regulation to ban the ownership of exotic animals. A number of B.C. municipalities have consequently done so, most recently the City of Vancouver. Following the tragic incident at the Siberian Magic facility, the B.C. government has said it will consult with VHS and the BC SPCA about how provincial legislation could be put in place to deal with the exotic animal problem.
VHS would like to see a province-wide ban on the private ownership of exotic animals and the introduction of legislation to regulate zoos keeping exotic species.
There are currently no regulations governing the keeping of exotic animals in B.C. As a result zoos and other facilities can keep these animals in virtually any conditions they wish. VHS protested about the poor conditions of Hazina the hippo, who was kept alone in a concrete barn for 19 months at the Greater Vancouver Zoo, but no law or regulation was available to hold the zoo to account for Hazina's treatment.
