CA Press:Exotic pets affected by altered AmCan city laws

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Posted by Desiree on January 16, 2002 at 11:08:04:

1/14/02

Exotic pets affected by altered AmCan city laws

By Dan Judge, Times-Herald staff writer

AMERICAN CANYON -- A city ordinance being modified to address the proposed introduction of baboons to the community may be changed to regulate a home literally crawling with snakes and other reptiles.

City officials say they are concerned about more than 50 animals -- some known escape artists -- inhabiting the home of Donaldson Way resident Scott Pollock.

Among his house guests are giant tortoises, iguanas, false water cobras, several varieties of boas and JoJo, a 10-foot Burmese albino python that escaped for nearly 24 hours in August.

Pollock uses the reptiles in his traveling show, Desert Dave and his Reptile Pals, which performs at schools, parties and other events.

"The bottom line is it's a home," City Manager Mark Joseph said. "It's not really designed to accommodate the reptiles he has down there."

Pollock insists he has done nothing to violate any laws. He added that none of the agencies called in to investigate various concerns about the animals, including the Department of Fish and Game, have found anything wrong.

"Everyone gave me the thumbs up," he said. "I came through with absolutely flying colors."

The issue of the reptiles came up a little over a week ago as the City Council considered a request to alter its zoning policy to allow Kevin and Alisha Keith to establish a baboon compound in American Canyon.

The monkeys are part of the Keiths' "Primal Instinct" business, which uses the monkeys in TV shows, movies and educational programs.

The city manager felt that if the law is to be amended, it should also cover a wide variety of other issues concerning animals in residential settings, including Pollock's reptiles.

In addition to JoJo's breakout last summer, a 70-pound tortoise has also briefly escaped in the past. Pollock is currently the subject of code enforcement action because of a pervasive odor of manure wafting from his back yard where he keeps a horse.

Joseph said the city is trying to persuade Pollock to make some changes relating to "the intensity of the use" at his home. Since he uses the animals in his business, he said Pollock should also be required to conform to special business permits and conditions.

"If he's got a lot of animals and reptiles, we have to make sure he has a good facility where he can keep them where they belong," he said. "I don't think anyone's opposed to his efforts to show off his reptiles at parties and other special events; we're just concerned about how he houses them."

Local law and code enforcement officials confirm that the city worries about Pollock's animals, but they also say he has apparently violated no laws by keeping them.

"I can tell you our guys have been out there several times and I know the city is very concerned about the number of exotic pets he has," said Sgt. Mark Foster of the American Canyon Police Department.

He added that police officers were called in to help find the python last summer because of fears that the snake, while normally docile, might attack an animal or small child.

Foster said he is unaware, however, of any laws that were broken.

"He hasn't really done anything wrong that I know of," Foster said. "He's always been very cooperative."

Complaints about his horse aside, Kim Tweedy said few official complaints have been registered against Pollock, and he is apparently well within his rights to have the animals.

"I'm sure if the Department of Fish and Game had a problem with what he was doing, they would have confiscated whatever he has," Tweedy said.

The revised ordinance concerning exotic animals in American Canyon is expected to come back before the City Council within the next few months.

Exotic pets affected by altered AmCan city laws

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: 1/14/02 : : Exotic pets affected by altered AmCan city laws : By Dan Judge, Times-Herald staff writer : AMERICAN CANYON -- A city ordinance being modified to address the proposed introduction of baboons to the community may be changed to regulate a home literally crawling with snakes and other reptiles. : City officials say they are concerned about more than 50 animals -- some known escape artists -- inhabiting the home of Donaldson Way resident Scott Pollock. : Among his house guests are giant tortoises, iguanas, false water cobras, several varieties of boas and JoJo, a 10-foot Burmese albino python that escaped for nearly 24 hours in August. : Pollock uses the reptiles in his traveling show, Desert Dave and his Reptile Pals, which performs at schools, parties and other events. : "The bottom line is it's a home," City Manager Mark Joseph said. "It's not really designed to accommodate the reptiles he has down there." : Pollock insists he has done nothing to violate any laws. He added that none of the agencies called in to investigate various concerns about the animals, including the Department of Fish and Game, have found anything wrong. : "Everyone gave me the thumbs up," he said. "I came through with absolutely flying colors." : The issue of the reptiles came up a little over a week ago as the City Council considered a request to alter its zoning policy to allow Kevin and Alisha Keith to establish a baboon compound in American Canyon. : The monkeys are part of the Keiths' "Primal Instinct" business, which uses the monkeys in TV shows, movies and educational programs. : The city manager felt that if the law is to be amended, it should also cover a wide variety of other issues concerning animals in residential settings, including Pollock's reptiles. : In addition to JoJo's breakout last summer, a 70-pound tortoise has also briefly escaped in the past. Pollock is currently the subject of code enforcement action because of a pervasive odor of manure wafting from his back yard where he keeps a horse. : Joseph said the city is trying to persuade Pollock to make some changes relating to "the intensity of the use" at his home. Since he uses the animals in his business, he said Pollock should also be required to conform to special business permits and conditions. : "If he's got a lot of animals and reptiles, we have to make sure he has a good facility where he can keep them where they belong," he said. "I don't think anyone's opposed to his efforts to show off his reptiles at parties and other special events; we're just concerned about how he houses them." : Local law and code enforcement officials confirm that the city worries about Pollock's animals, but they also say he has apparently violated no laws by keeping them. : "I can tell you our guys have been out there several times and I know the city is very concerned about the number of exotic pets he has," said Sgt. Mark Foster of the American Canyon Police Department. : He added that police officers were called in to help find the python last summer because of fears that the snake, while normally docile, might attack an animal or small child. : Foster said he is unaware, however, of any laws that were broken. : "He hasn't really done anything wrong that I know of," Foster said. "He's always been very cooperative." : Complaints about his horse aside, Kim Tweedy said few official complaints have been registered against Pollock, and he is apparently well within his rights to have the animals. : "I'm sure if the Department of Fish and Game had a problem with what he was doing, they would have confiscated whatever he has," Tweedy said. : The revised ordinance concerning exotic animals in American Canyon is expected to come back before the City Council within the next few months.

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