Escaped snake raises queries over regulation

The disappearance of a five-foot boa constrictor from an apartment in Msida has rekindled questions over the regulation of these exotic animals, even though the snake may not have been dangerous.

Skittles was found dead on Saturday after it was probably run over by a car, leaving behind a sad owner, Stephan Mintoff.

The news of the disappearance, however, had some people in the area searching behind fridges and under sofas, while others half expected the snake to spurt out of their toilet bowl.

Although most of those who spoke to The Times said they were not scared of snakes, they agreed that keeping exotic animals as pets in Malta should be regulated in some way or another.

The law currently does not ban the importation of exotic animals or impose registration, which would help the authorities monitor them.

The only obligation is for the owner to be in possession of the pet’s veterinary health certificate, traces documentation, and Cites (Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species) certification.

However, people are allowed to import and keep any other animal that does not fall under the convention. While several dangerous species are included in the Cites list, it does not cover those born in captivity.

In 2010 it had been reported that, according to an upcoming legal notice, owners of exotic and dangerous pets would have three months to register their animals with the authorities or pay a fine of up to €46,500.

The draft legal notice would have filled a legal lacuna that was exposed the previous year when a Bengal tiger cub was discovered in a Mosta warehouse by animal welfare officials.

But a spokesman for the Resources Ministry said the regulation has not yet been published because discussions were still under way about what to do in the case of animals in Malta that require Cites documentation but do not currently possess it.

One person who is not scared of snakes is 24-year-old Keith Attard, from Qormi. But he still believes there should be some form of registration for exotic pets, for monitoring purposes.

Robert Incorvaja, 32, is certainly undeterred by the slithery creatures – he once owned a python.

“I don’t know whether they should be registered... if you kept it by your side like a dog, it’s like having any other pet,” he said.

On the other hand, 59-year-old Carmen Muscat would be scared of a snake even if she saw it in a cage. Although she does not believe regulation should go so far as banning them, owners should certainly make sure they don’t escape, she said with a slight shiver.