Exotic animal management report makes 29 recommendations

New Brunswick's exotic animal task force is calling onthe provincial government totoughen up exotic animal management rules, in anew report, released on Tuesday.

The task force, which was struck after two young brothers from Campbellton were killed by an African rock python nearly two years ago, has made 29 recommendations.

Among them:a comprehensive accounting of exotic species at retail outlets, public displays, and farming operations across the province, as well asbetter education about what is legal to own.

Other themes include:

• Interagency co-ordination
• Inspection and enforcement framework
• Documentation of policies and procedures
• Legislation

The existing system for the management of exotic animals in the province is basically sound, according to thereport,which was dedicated to the memory of Connor Barthe, 6, and his brotherNoah Barthe, 4.

"Despite this, significant gaps exist in how the system in New Brunswick is implemented," the report states.

Natural Resources Minister DenisLandry was quick to accept all 29 recommendations of the report, which was presented in Moncton byEnergy and Mines Minister DonaldArseneaultand task force chairBruceDougan.

Landry says the first step will be striking a committee to help the government ensure the recommendations are implemented as soon as possible.

"We're going to give the proper time to this new committee to give us the proper recommendations," hesaid.

"It's nice to put regulations and laws in place and if you don't have the people in place to make those regulations or those laws to befollowed, what's the worth to put them in place?"

The former Progressive Conservative government promised tougher exotic animal laws followingthe deaths of the Barthe brothersin August 2013.

The boyswereasphyxiated when an African rock pythonescaped from itsenclosure in an apartment above the Reptile Ocean pet store,where theywere sleeping.

Officials with the Department of Natural Resources have said Reptile Ocean was an unlicensed zoo and pet store.

The six-member exotic animal task force was struck lastJuly and its recommendations were expected in March.

Could set a national standard

Campbellton Mayor Bruce MacIntosh says the new regulations could set a standard that will benefit the entire country.

"It's avery unfortunate, horrific, happening that no one ever expected and these things do happen and hopefully they don't happen to other communities and I know in speaking with people in municipalities in Quebec and Ontario, they're very interested in this report also."

Campbellton Deputy Mayor Ian Comeausays he's cautiously optimistic about the report, butit remains to be seen how each of the recommendations will be implemented.

Council will be meeting to discuss the report and its possible implications,hesaid.

He says the community continues to mourn theBarthebrothers, but the report gives them hope the boys' deaths have notbeen in vain.

Comeausays he sees the grandmother of the Barthe brothers regularly and often passes the father ofJean-Claude Savoiethe owner of the python andformer owner of Reptile Ocean, which is now boarded up.

Savoie,38, was charged in April with criminal negligencecausing death.

The pendinglegal proceedings will be difficult on the families and the city, said Comeau.

"They know that there is something coming and that it will be painful, especially when those pictures will come out in the fall during the preliminary inquiry," he said.

Savoie's judge and jury trialis scheduled for Nov. 24 to27in Campbellton provincial court.

A conviction of criminal negligence causing death carries a maximum life sentence.