Woolwich Township will be allowing Tiger Paw Exotics to continue its “Odd and Unusual Sale” at the Ontario Livestock Exchange, in spite of opposition from animal welfare organizations.
The consignment sale has operated for the past nine years without incident; however, at the last sale, held in October, a complaint was raised by Erika Ritter, who expressed concern about the handling of the animals at the sale, as well as the relatively small size of some of the cages.
Ritter, who could not attend this week’s meeting to address the issue, sent an email outlining some of her concerns.
“I didn’t know what to expect, and was quite unprepared for the inconsiderate, and, in some instances, abusive handling and housing of animals I saw both in the holding areas, and in the auction ring itself,” said Ritter.
When Ritter’s concerns were originally raised in October, township staff realized the sale, which had an exemption under the township’s previous animal control bylaw, had not been granted another exemption.
The issue came before council at the Feb. 23 committee-of-the-whole meeting.
Township clerk Val Hummel presented a brief report to councillors, recommending that Woolwich not grant an exemption to Tiger Paw Exotics, for a number of reasons, including concerns about the spread of zoonotic diseases, and safety risks posed to township residents.
Hummel noted a recent incident in the township of Southwold, when Norman Buwalda was killed by his pet tiger. The township had attempted to prevent ownership of the tigers through its animal control bylaw, but the bylaw was quashed by the Ontario Court of Justice.
“Allowing the exotic animal auction to continue may increase the risk to public safety for residents in Woolwich Township and beyond,” said Hummel, in her report.
As well, while the majority of the animals can be owned by township residents, under the animal control bylaw, roughly 10 per cent cannot. These include kangaroos, lemurs and monkeys, among other exotic animals that have been sold at the auction in the past.
Tim Height, of Tiger Paw Exotics, told councillors that he has extensive experience working with exotic animals, and regularly transports animals on behalf of several zoos, including the Toronto and Calgary Zoos.
Height noted that the investigative newsmagazine W-5 had attended his sale, and actually gave “good reviews” to his auction.
He added that while the auction is a consignment one, he does have control over what types of animals are sold.
“If something comes in that is not acceptable, we turn it away,” said Height.
While approximately 10 per cent of the animals that are sold are not permitted under the township’s bylaw, most are, and Height said he has never had large cats or other carnivores for sale at the auction.
He noted that Gary Boes, of the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society, regularly attends the auctions and had never expressed any concern.
Melissa Matlow, from the World Society for the Protection to Animals, however, asked the township to not allow the sale.
Matlow said that she was at the sale, and saw many items of concern.
“I observed many animals that, I believe, were housed inhumanely,” said Matlow, citing a pot-bellied pig that was in a small cage used for a dog or cat.
Matlow said she also observed macaques in a small cage.
“They were roughly handled, and slammed on the floor,” said Matlow. “There was no barrier to prevent people from putting their hands in the cage. I didn’t see food or water in the cage.”
She said when some visitors put water in the cage, the macaques lapped it up quickly, indicating they had been without water for some time.
Matlow said that even without these concerns, there is the larger issue of the trade in exotic animals, which has led to concerns about personal safety of residents, as well as the spread of zoonotic diseases such as hepatitis B.
“I believe this sale is just catering to a bigger problem,” said Matlow. She encouraged councillors to not only to stop the sale, but also put pressure on the provincial and federal governments to limit the trade of exotic animals.
Lori Morrison, who lives near London, told councillors of her experiences with “one of Canada’s worst roadside zoos,” and noted that many of the incidents, involving escaped animals as well as animals in distress at the zoo, “could have been avoided if exotic animals had not been made available.”
Anthony Porter, however, who has his own reindeer farm and worked on the day of the auction, told councillors that since the township had allowed the auction to exist for so long, it should continue to be allowed to operate its auction.
And, he noted, if the concerns raised about the Oct. 17 auction were valid, they should have been addressed on the day of the auction itself.
Larry Witzel, owner of the Ontario Livestock Exchange, told councillors that a number of inspectors are on the premises at the auction, to ensure the safety of both the animals, and the public.
“In the nine years, I can honestly say I’ve never had one complaint from the different inspection agencies,” said Witzel.
“This is a system that works,” said Witzel.
He and Height both expressed willingness to work with council to restrict the types of animals that could be sold at the auction.
“It’s in our best interest (to restrict the animals),” said Witzel. “We aren’t here to risk the safety of people, that’s not our intention at all.”
Councillor Ruby Weber asked about the concerns raised that animals did not have sufficient water.
Witzel said that the animals are kept in secure cages before the auction, for a period of six to eight, perhaps 10 hours. During that time, they are fed and watered, but regulations do not say that they have to have a constant source of either.
“We do whatever we can to ensure they get food and water,” said Witzel.
Councillor Mark Bauman said that he had sympathy towards some of the concerns raised by those opposed to the exotic animal trade, “but we have no jurisdiction to make those decisions. We are limited to what we can do.”
Bauman noted he was “concerned” about the consignment nature of the auction, but suggested that there could be an agreement as to what animals would be permitted, and which ones would not be permitted.
“I’d like to see OLEX and Tiger Paw Exotics recommend what animals are not allowed, and I would be willing to look at that exemption,” said Bauman.
Councillor Murray Martin asked if any other complaints had been received about the auction.
“Not to my knowledge,” replied Hummel.
Councillor Ruby Weber said she could not support the staff recommendation to prohibit the auction.
“I don’t want to deny OLEX the ability to continue the auction,” said Weber. “An exemption to the bylaw is appropriate. I don’t want to tell them they can’t continue.”
Councillors made a motion that directs staff to revise the animal control bylaw, providing an exemption clause that will permit the township to exempt the sale from the bylaw. They also directed staff to come up with a list of animals that can and cannot be sold, prior to the April 17 auction.
The new bylaw will be considered at the March 23 committee-of-the-whole meeting.
In a press release issued on Feb. 25, the WSPA said that Woolwich Township made a poor decision.
“Woolwich council is putting the interests of Tiger Paw above the recommendations of their lawyers, their staff, animal welfare groups and nearly everyone that was asked for an opinion,” said Matlow. “You need little money and no training to own a monkey in Ontario, and if it happens to escape or bite someone, it’s someone else’s problem.”