Zoo fighting city order

A Hamilton reptile zoo is fighting a city order under the new exotic animal bylaw to get rid of more than a dozen crocodiles, large snakes, tarantulas and lizards by next month.

Mia Gordon was at the zoo, and city hall and has the details.

Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo, which has locations in Ottawa and New Brunsiwick, opened up in Hamilton on Barton Street East near Gage in June. Owner Paul Goulet said the city told him twice that the zoo didn’t need an exemption.

A month later they got a note saying they have to get rid of their exotic animals by October.

And the owner of Little Ray’s got news he wasn’t hoping to hear.

Crocodiles and snakes are just a few of the exotic animals on display at Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo. A zoo that’s main purpose is to help people learn..

Little Ray’s employee Lauren Grima: “Education is important people are afraid of what they don’t know. If everyone can go home at the end of the day and say the learned something then our job is done.”

But in just a month educating their visitors may be harder since the city has ordered the zoo to get rid of some of their exotic animals.

Right now the bylaw states you are allowed a temporary display of exotic animals. But city staff were saying the display at Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo wasn’t temporary. However, the owner of Little Ray’s say it is since the display will only be here for about six months.

Wednesday, the owner of the zoo, Paul Goulet, asked to be exempt from this bylaw.

“We are one of a kind. The most hands-on interactive educational program. If we don’t get a favourable ruling, I think there will be a huge public outcry.” said Goulet.

But the planning committee decided to receive the information. Meaning they will take no action and the animals have to be removed.

“They wont be euthanized, just removed and placed in safe conditions elsewhere.” said Goulet.

And councillors say they want to take this one step further; by making stricter bylaws against exotic animals.

“With this issue of the two young boys that were killed, we are quite concerned at the number of constrictors loose in the community. We are concerned about the safety of our citiens we will review the bylaw to make it tighter.” said Hamilton City Councillor Brad Clark.

Goulet says he will keep fighting for his employees, the animals, and for his zoo.