ERE, The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, July 20, 1994 - AS Park pet drives locals snaky SNAKE OWNERS may soon shave to take their pets for a slither in another city’s park. Frank Bowsher, the city’s by- law enforcement officer, has received several letters and eight phone calls about a unnamed man bringing a boa constrictor to George Litlle Park several times in the last three weeks, “T feel there should be some restriction on exotic animals be- cause they shouldn’t be free to roam in public places,” said Marilynn Oman, one of the people who wrote to city council after she saw the snake in the park, “I saw that thing raise its head and it was up to the top of its owners thighs."” Like Oman, the Terrace resi- dents approaching him are asking for the by-law restricting exotic and dangerous animals from pub- lic places to be enforced, Bow- sher said, But there is nothing for him to - enforce right now because there is no by-law restricting snakes or other exotic animals in Terrace. However, he said that may soon change. “I’m sure a by-law would be put in place,’’ said Bowsher. “Something has to be done but I first have to meet with council on this issue.’? ' Bowsher pointed to the example of a North Vancouver by-law that outlaws ‘'poisonous or dangerous reptiles or other dangerous crea- tures,”” A. by-law could go to the ex- treme of a complete ban on the reptiles, he said, or it could just ban them from public places, he said. However Harold Armstrong, a Terrace resident who owns a six- and-a-half foot boa constrictor named Samantha, thinks either of those options would be unfair. “Tr’s not the snake that’S caus- ing the problem - it’s the owner who’s not being responsible,” said Armstrong, who also brings Samantha to the park and knows of the snake owner causing the controversy. *Tt’s just like a man who walks through the park with a dog off its leash and it bites someone - do ~ you then ban all dogs from the park?” Rather than create a by-law to. restrict all snake owners, Arm- Strong thinks all exotic pet owners should have to register their pets with the city. By doing this, he said, the city could regulate the owners causing problems and leave the responsible people alone, ‘You can register your snake for everything from distinct markings right down to blood type so they know who owns which snake,” said Armstrong. Most of the complaints about snakes are rooted in the fear many people have of snakes, he said. “Most people know very little about snakes and don’t know how gentle they can be,” he said, “Samantha is tamer than most dogs. because she’s had constant attention and is well taken care of.”? Armstrong takes Samantha to kindergarten classes to try to dis- peli some of the myths about snakes. — ‘“*The little girl who’s horribly afraid when I first take my boa to class is able to hold it by the end of the time,’’ be said. “It’s all about educating people with the truth about snakes and then- nobady is scared.’’ Armstrong said he takes Samantha to the park because the sun is good for her and it allows him to show the public how docile snakes really are. Oman disagices and thinks tak- ing an exotic animal to the park is unfair to the public and the animal. “Even for the protection of the animal we need to have a by-law enforced,” said Oman. “It’s not a proper environment for any kind of exotic animal.’”* TRYING TO educate children about snakes, Hareld Armstrong takes his pet boa constrictor Samantha to kindergarten classes. ARLY AD DEADLINE® "B.C. Day weekend press and production schedules Q make it nacesary to advance the ad deadline for the August 3 issue of the Terrace Standard. The deadline for the August 3 issue is Thursday, July 28 at 5:00 p.m. for display and classified ads. Have A Great Long Weekend” if you are travelling please drive carefully +: a } e ees However education was not necessary with the girl above - she has a boa about to give birth and just wanted to hold Samantha. 4647 Lazelle Ave. STANDARD 638-7283 / JULY 1994 “SUNDAY MONDAY." / TUESDAY PALACE | WEDNESDAY . THURSDAY’. ” LUCKY DOLLAR BINGO JULY 1994 SATURDAY - Hospice “FRIDAY. a Bl 1 Brothers and 2 Society Sisters Kinsmen Club Nisga'a Tribal Hearl & Stroke Council - Terrace Foundation Tarrace Art 3 4 5 re Tenace 8 Canadian Assocation Parents Coalition Terrace Terrace Cad r Paraplagie Tovace Ady ncement Minor Kermode Peaks an - Youth Saccer of Education Hocke Friendship Gymnastics Terrace Nisga’a Taba! Terrace Figure in Terrace Association Society Club Anli-Poverly | Counell-Terrace Skating Terrace Rola 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 Samuniy 1 rite 15 panadian 1 6 “th _| Paranta Coalition errace Kermode eatre araplagic Minor | or Aivancemant Minor Friendship | “olunteer Terrace Nixga’a Tribal 4 of Edveation Hocke Society Bureau Anti-Povert Councll-Terrace | Terrace Figure in Terrace Association Skating 17 18 19 21 oat 22 Canadian 2 Anbaneade | Parents Geallon Terrace Kermode ponace Purple Pareplegle Kinella Club Advancoman Hoke Friendship Gymnastics Tarrace Nisge'a Tribal Bache in Terrace Association Soclety Club | Anti-Poverty Counell-Terrace Rescua Soc, Parent Royal Pipes & 2 Coalon 25 Terrace 26 7 qenace 28 oroyal 29 Cane dian 30 Drums | Minor Kermode Swim Club Purple Legion d 13 ginor | Terrace Baseball Friendship [Shame Mouval Terrace Nlsga'a Tibal 31 Commun F Association Sociely Bk Ch Anti-Poverty | Council-Tervace Snowmobile Sat. Afternoon Games Evening Games 4410 Legion, Terrace Doors 11:30 a.m. Doors 4:30 p.m. Thurs., Fri., Sat. Late Night Games Doors 9:30 p.m. SMOKE REMOVAL Games 12:45 Games 6:15 Games 10:00 p.m. Family Bingo Every Saturday Afternoon — Last Wednesday of the month Is DOUBLE BINGO T.V. MONITORS AISLE CONCESSION 635-2411 A SPECIAL OFFER FROM SEARS ...... CATALOGUE SHOPPING TERRACE | 15% OFF ALL INSTORE STOCK KENMORE CRAFTSMAN PRODUCTS SHOP NOW! WHILE QUANTITIES LAST > OFFER VALID JULY 18TH TO JULY 23RD