In July, in the Limoilou borough of Quebec City, neighborhood residents were concerned by the announcement of a python that had disappeared.
The tenant who had launched a search warrant on Facebook found the animal in his bag.
Although the beige-and-black-coloured python, of the “Jungle-carpet” type, is not venomous, the neighbours are not reassured. A story of choking made headlines last year.
In the case of Limoilou, non-venomous serpents are allowed:
“According to municipal regulations, the animal is not poisonous and the owner is not in violation,” confirms Pierre Poirier of the Quebec City police department.
A few days later, Marjorie Potvin, spokeswoman for the City of Quebec, explains that the regulation, which states that citizens can keep a small non-venomous or not dangerous reptile, will be specified during radio interviews.
But the presence of animals that could be considered non-normative is regulated by each City differently. For example:
- in Lévis: it is forbidden to possess a snake over a meter long;
- in the CMA of Portneuf: it is totally forbidden to have a snake in one’s possession;
- in Sherbrooke: all reptiles are permitted except crocodilians, venomous lizards, those whose length exceeds 1 meter in maturity, sea turtles as well as the green red-eared turtle, poisonous or constrictor snakes whose length at maturity exceeds 1 meter, including the following species and subspecies: boas, pythons and anacondas;
- in Coaticook: it is illegal to possess any kind of snake over a meter long;
- in Gatineau: only small non-venomous exotic animals that pose no danger to the life and safety of the residents can be kept on the territory of the city.
- in Montreal: reptiles are authorized unless they are in adulthood and measure more than 3 meters, and poisonous snakes are prohibited.
Pet shops have more and more exotic animals nowadays. Reptile shops are only beginning to open their doors. And the issue of so-called “Exotic” animals comes back regularly in the news.
In Gatineau, in September 2013, police seized: a crocodile, five non-venomous snakes, a snapping turtle, a green iguana and a bearded dragon!
Also in Gatineau, in October 2013, 18 exotic reptiles were seized, including a venomous kind.
But at the Régie du logement?
Whether the animal is a dog, a cat or a snake, if the owner indicated on the lease that pets are not allowed, this clause applies.
If, after asking your tenant to dispose of them, and he refuses, you can send him a notice by registered mail.
If the tenant does not cooperate, the owner will have no other choice but to open a file at the Régie du logement and wait for his hearing.
Note: the presence of an animal, while it is prohibited in the lease, may even lead to termination of the lease. Indeed, even if the lease allows it, the presence of dogs, for example, must not be inconvenient to other tenants. A tenant who has a dog should abide by the same lease obligations, including the obligation not to disturb the peaceful enjoyment of the premises to other tenants. In this regard, he is therefore responsible for the noise, for picking up feces, or any other inconvenience caused by his/her pet.