Supporters rally as Oshawa exotic pet store loses bylaw exemption
Posted January 23, 2012 9:27 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A vocal contingent of supporters rallied in Oshawa Monday, upset that a local exotic pet store and rescue centre has lost its exemption to the pet bylaw.
D&D Exotics had previously been operating under an exemption to the Oshawa Responsible Pet Owners Bylaw which bans residents from keeping certain snakes and spiders.
Owners Doug and Debbie Grills say they received a letter from the city on Jan. 12 stating officials had received a complaint about the store, and the exemption was being revoked.
“We have a lot of animals that are in contradiction to the bylaw…By pulling our exemption and not allowing us to do this, where are they telling people to take these animals they can no longer care for?” said Debbie Grills.
Grills would like to see a permanent exemption granted.
“I’ve been dealing with D and D for three years, and in the three years I’ve been dealing with them, I’ve seen dozens upon dozens of different animals that have been rescued and brought back to health, in most cases where it looked like it was going to be a fatal injury or illness…Clearly they’re there to operate not only as a retail outlet, but as a rescue facility. It’s beyond me why the city would want to hinder what they are doing for our community,” said supporter Steven Webster.
City Councillor Doug Sanders, who has been assisting the Grills, says it time to re-examine the bylaw.
