The battle over exotic animals in Muskoka Lakes Township has become a very emotional debate, as demonstrated at township council last week.

But it has also brought to light the intense need for a bylaw to guide how exotic animals must be cared for — for their safety and ours.

Currently in the province of Ontario no agency has the authority to regulate ownership of exotic animals or roadside zoos. This means anyone in the province can own dangerous exotic animals and house them however they wish, and even profit from their ownership by allowing the public to tour these backyard or roadside zoos.

There are rules and regulations regarding owning domestic and native animals, but nothing to regulate exotic species like lions and tigers.

While the province is working on it, it is certainly not the time to wait for the provincial government to enact a law. Muskoka Lakes councillors are right in their realization that a bylaw is needed, and it is needed now.

The escape of a jaguar from Guhas Lions and Tigers Farm in Utterson has certainly made the case of this bylaw’s importance.

Most people can sympathize with Nanda Guha, who was clearly upset about the whole incident and the loss of two of his animals. But despite his tears, to downplay the incident, as many councillors and Guha supporters have, is simply irresponsible.

Many are losing sight of the fact that while the escape from Guhas has catapulted this debate into the spotlight, the need for such a bylaw is nothing personal.

Many people, including Mr. Guha, need to realize that while this may have been an isolated incident, and we hope it was, it brings to light the reality of just how fast things can get out of control.

People need to realize that while Mr. Guha surely has only good intentions when it comes to his animals, everyone needs to acknowledge that there was clearly a lack of regard for public safety, and it’s time to stop downplaying it.

First, Guha did not have the means to get the situation under control. He had to call in the police. Second, if in fact someone did tamper with the cages, as Guha alleges, there is no security system on the property to ensure something like this could not occur again.

Guha needs to be responsible not only to the animals he loves, but to his neighbours as well. Just as all exotic animal owners need to be. And while this debate seems to be swirling around Nanda Guha, this bylaw needs to be put in place for anyone in the township who owns exotic animals, and in Muskoka Lakes, anyone can.

For councillor Stewart Martin to say that human beings are the most dangerous animals in the township is absolutely ridiculous and completely irresponsible.

But on the other hand, perhaps he is absolutely right, except that the dangerous animals in this situation are those sitting around the township council table ignoring reality.

KF