B.C.91裸聊视频檚 Conservation Officer Service says a man is facing charges under the Wildlife Act following the seizure of hundreds, if not thousands, of exotic animals from a rental home in Surrey Aug. 8.
Maple Ridge veterinarian Dr. Adrian Walton told the Now-Leader he was called to the home by Surrey91裸聊视频檚 bylaw department after someone saw a 91裸聊视频渂unch of reptiles out on a deck.91裸聊视频�
Walton said after arriving at the home, he quickly realized there was a lot more to the story.
91裸聊视频淲hile we were doing the investigation, you took one quick look in the window and you were seeing this entire room of deli cups full of bugs, basically. Mostly spiders, but you could see some scorpions,91裸聊视频� said Walton, who is head veterinarian at Dewdney Animal Hospital, which has experience caring for exotic creatures, albeit not this many.
Walton estimated there were thousands of creatures in the Surrey home.
SEE ALSO:
Because of the condition of the animals, Walton said B.C. Conservation Officer Service got a warrant that was executed around 11 p.m. that evening.
Many animals were in 91裸聊视频減oor condition,91裸聊视频� he said, adding that some containers housing them didn91裸聊视频檛 have air holes.
91裸聊视频淔rom the bugs perspective, most of the animals were tarantulas and scorpions and these are venomous. Under Surrey bylaws, they91裸聊视频檙e not legal, so Surrey can91裸聊视频檛 adopt them out. You91裸聊视频檙e stuck in a situation of what do you do with these animals? Many were not identifiable, because they were babies. Some animals in there that were highly venomous, that no group is going to adopt out due to liability issues, my understanding is that the decision were made that those animals were not adoptable so they were destroyed.91裸聊视频�
While the Maple Ridge clinic cared for many of the animals and insects, many have since been transported to the Victoria Bug Zoo. Others were taken to the Surrey Animal Resource Centre.
Walton said it was 91裸聊视频減retty obvious91裸聊视频� this was a wholesale situation and that the animals were either arriving or being prepared for shipment.
91裸聊视频淭his is a situation we deal with in the pet trade 91裸聊视频� the international and even national transport of animals. What we know from various studies is the mortality rate is approximately 70 per cent,91裸聊视频� he told the Now-Leader. 91裸聊视频淲e have serious concerns about the ethics of that. So to see such a large volume of animals, many of which were not in the best of condition, it91裸聊视频檚 very upsetting to someone who actually sees these animals as incredibly unique creatures. I91裸聊视频檓 supportive of the people, the local breeders, who raise these animals because they have a love91裸聊视频�. You shouldn91裸聊视频檛 be buying online, you shouldn91裸聊视频檛 be buying from pet stores, you should be finding local qualified breeders and getting your exotic pets that way. 91裸聊视频�
As passionate as he is, Walton laughed as he said walking into a home with thousands of spiders at 11 o91裸聊视频檆lock at night 91裸聊视频渋sn91裸聊视频檛 exactly my idea of fun.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淚 just went to pick up a couple of turtles, and was hoping to be home for dinner,91裸聊视频� he chuckled. 91裸聊视频淎ll the weird stuff, somehow Dewdney gets involved.91裸聊视频�
READ ALSO:
READ MORE:
In an emailed statement, B.C.91裸聊视频檚 conservation service said a man who is known to them is facing 91裸聊视频渕ultiple charges91裸聊视频� under the Wildlife Act in connection to case.
The statement noted was in 91裸聊视频渦nlawful possession of live Schedule A wildlife, namely various turtle species91裸聊视频� and that a search warrant was executed. The statement adds that the City of Surrey seized hundreds of spiders, scorpions and centipedes, seeing as they were illegal to possess under the municipal bylaw.
The man91裸聊视频檚 name has not been released.
While officials wouldn91裸聊视频檛 pinpoint an exact address of the home, they told the Now-Leader it was in north-east Surrey.
91裸聊视频淚t is unlawful to possess live wildlife without a permit,91裸聊视频� the statement from the conservation service notes, 91裸聊视频渁nd hobbyists should check all federal, provincial and municipal regulations prior to purchasing or housing any reptile or amphibian species to ensure they are in compliance with all applicable legislation.91裸聊视频�
In a Facebook post, the Victoria Bug Zoo wrote that it plans to begin adopting out the vinegaroons in its care on Sept. 4, for a fee of $40.
91裸聊视频淲e will adopt out a maximum of two to each person - however, this species is solitary and each should be kept alone in its own enclosure,91裸聊视频� reads a post from Victoria Bug Zoo. 91裸聊视频淪ome may be pregnant, we respectfully ask that any vinegaroons that lay eggs be temporarily returned to the zoo so we can care for the babies.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淭o everyone who has already expressed Interest in adopting one of our little friends here, thank you so much for your kindness, and thank you to Dewdney Animal Hospital Ltd. and Adrian for helping us get the word out!91裸聊视频�
An earlier Victoria Bug Zoo post noted they had about 15 vinegaroons in their care, which were all in 91裸聊视频渆xtremely rough shape when they arrived.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淚t is incredibly sad when animals must pay the price for the poor decisions of humans,91裸聊视频� that post reads. 91裸聊视频淭here are, unfortunately, unscrupulous people in the exotic pet trade, and this is why it is important to know who you are supporting when you make a purchase. Research your provider, always choose captive bred where possible, and don91裸聊视频檛 buy from people who sell illegal or unhealthy animals.91裸聊视频�
In a Facebook video, a staff member at Victoria Bug Zoo explains vinegaroons are arachnids, 91裸聊视频渇airly closely related to spiders and scorpions.91裸聊视频�
