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Trenton, MI-Ban on exotic pets studied
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by tigers9 on April 27, 2008
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http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080428/METRO01/804280366
Monday, April 28, 2008
Trenton
Ban on exotic pets studied
Council considers rules against owning dangerous animals after monkey bit 6-year-old.
Tanveer Ali / The Detroit News
TRENTON -- Some pet owners would have to find new homes for their pets if the City Council approves a ban against the ownership of animals deemed exotic and dangerous.
City officials say an ordinance has been in the works for over a year, but after a 6-year-old girl was bitten by a Java macaque, a type of monkey, outside a church on Jefferson on April 6, the council gave it higher priority.
"I don't think there's many exotic animals here, but it takes one family to have three or four of these exotic animals to make us have an ordinance," said Councilwoman Timber R. Baun-Crooks.
Authorities confiscated the monkey, worrying the animal may have had rabies or other diseases. It was later euthanized by the Wayne County Department of Public Health for rabies testing, which came out negative.
Though most Michigan pet owners stick to the traditional dog, cat or goldfish, the occasional exotic species may find its way into a family's home. The city of Burton is also considering a ban of out-of-the-ordinary household pets after an alligator was found in a local home.
Monroe County Animal Control, which quarantined the monkey in the biting incident, recently helped clean up a car accident involving a wallaby, an animal not on the list of animals to be banned in Trenton.
"People will end up taking them in and think they are domesticated, then they grow up and they have to figure out how to take care of them," said Michigan Humane Society spokeswoman Stephanie Baron.
The state does not regulate animals that are not native to Michigan, but the Department of Agriculture requires people to register wolf dogs, bears and large cats brought into the state.
Six bears, 29 wolf dogs and one cougar are registered to private owners, according the Agriculture Department.
The council hopes to work out some issues before the final reading of the ordinance May 5, including the penalty for harboring a dangerous or exotic animal.
The ordinance proposes that any domesticated animal that attacks without provocation, including cats and dogs, would be confiscated, after which owners would have seven days to attend a hearing to show why the animal should not be destroyed.
Mayor Pro Tem William LeFevre said the council does not want to penalize those taking care of reptiles and other unusual pets responsibly.
"We want to make sure it protects people on both sides," LeFevre said.
You can reach Tanveer Ali at (734) 462-2094 or tali@detnews.com.
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