Lakeshore Advance, 2013-08-14, Page 44 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesda , ' test 14, 2013
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editorial
Deaths could have
been prevented
The story out of New Brunswick
of tht' two boys killed in their
sleet) by a snake is
heartbreaking.
An autopsy report released last
Wednesday confirmed the two died
from asphyxiation.
Bry Loyst, a curator of a reptile zoo
in Ontario who assisted Campbell -
ton, N.B. police in their investiga-
tion, told QMi Agency that the inci-
dent could have been prevented if
proper regulations were in place in
Canada, "and right now there isn't.'
Some provinces, Such as Ontario,
allow municipalities to pass bylaws
prohibiting certain species, or limit-
ing their size, and these will vary city
to city.
But not all banned animals are as
cute and relatively harmless as the
IKEA monkey. Full-grown African
rock pythons, described as one of the
world's most dangerous serpents,
will eat antelopes and even
crocodiles.
Kenneth Krysko, a herpetologist
interviewed by National Geographic,
says the species is difficult, if not
impossible to tame, atld is so ill-tem-
pered "they come out Of the egg
striking.' So before we start talking
about more regulations, we also
need to have a conversation about
common sense.
I.00kiug at the information we've
now got -- and there will surely be
more as this sad story unfolds -- it's
already clear this Was a disaster Wait-
ing to happen.
Reportedly the snake, which was
4.3 metres long and weighed 45 kgs,
had escaped before, and was kept
mere illetres away from where the
boys slept that night. Questions are
being asked about the owner's
caution.
'there are picture's that have sur-
faced of the two deceased boys --
Noah and Connor Bathe -- playing
around with snakes, albeit smaller,
less threatening ones.
it's clear the adults in these kids'
lives allowed them to become very
comfortable around these animals.
And that's fine -- we should foster
our childrens' interest in critters.
But they also need to develop
respect for the unpredictability of
animals. And they need to be pro-
tected from the most dangerous.
'this tragic (;ampbellton incident
will inspire conversations about pro-
vincial oversight on banning danger-
ous species. But the bottom) line is
common sense should be top of
mind when it comes to protecting
our loved ones from potentially dan-
gerous animals -- exotic or
otherwise.
letters to the editor
Best blooming place to live
Another Communities in bloom judges'
tour has cone and gone and once again
the people of Lampton Shore's have done
us proud! Many thanks to our LS staff and
council for their support not only on the
tour but throughout the whole year. 'Thank
you to all those folks who acted as a
resource during the tour. Your expertise
and passion for the area shone through all
you said. 'shank you to all the people who
came ()tit to represent comnunity groups
and service clubs. Your hard work makes
Lampton Shores a better place to live, work
and play. And finally thank you to the
1.anbton Shores Communities in Bloom
committee who worked so hard all year
and who really stepped ftp to the plate on
the tour to present Lampton Shores in the
best possible light.
CIB
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Lakeshore Advance welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must include the writer's full
name, address, daytime phone number and signature (for verification, Anonymous letters
will not be published. We reserve the right to edit all editorial submissions including
letters for clarification, style and length. Letters must be signed and be in good taste and
follow the laws of libel and slander.
1 1 . 1 . k 1. 1,'1.,'x1 , .','.'V111'00,1 1 1 1
Sands of Time
Lynda Hillman-Rapley
Editor, Lakeshore Advance
The story of
the traveling
white squirrel
We often get readers stopping by with
their vacation tales. A long time resident
of Green ilaven trailer park sure had a
floozie for us.
As a decoration at his summer home,
Gary Morneau owned a small white squir-
rel -made of ceramic or plaster materials.
After his grown sons had visited two years
ago, the plaster pet disappeared. Gary
called his elder son who told him he had
no idea but maybe he should call his
younger son who lived in 'lbronto. That call
was also disappointing, as he had no clue
where the squirrel was.
"Oh well," conceded Gary, maybe lhl'
grandchildren broke it and hid the evi-
dence- it's gone," he said.
Two years later the offspring met with
their dad in his hometown Windsor at a
restaurant and handed him a bag and a
parcel. In the bag was the long lost squir-
rel -alive (as alive as a plaster pet could be)
and well. With it there was a book created
by the younger son, Apparently, they had
lied to dear old dad about this white an
mal and its kidnapping adventures. -
This hard -backed book was filled with
colourful highlights from the past two
years. 'Ibis rodent clic1 not sit idle. Its captor
traveled for work and not only took the
white squirrel throughout Canada and the
USA but also to England, Spain and Africa
and beyond and took photos of every stop.
Lake Louise, Time Square, palaces and
park benches- he was 'everywhere roan:
Their)' was even a time in this two- year
adventure when a border guard asked the
younger son if he knew there was a white
squirrel in his baggage. They saw it on the
scan and just wanted to make sure the
human traveler knew of its existence,
!low this family kept the journals of a
traveling white squirrel secret from dad, lot
so long, is a mystery- but at the end of the
day- it must have been quite an experience
for the son and the white squirrel.
1 1',t'I.1,111VJt.'.1 IUIi11kl lr•1 ,1A