Ontario Township Votes to Remove Tigers from Residential Area Over Safety Fears
A township council in Southern Ontario has taken decisive action by voting to remove two tigers, named Jagger and Aspen, from a residential property in the Niagara Region. The owner, Zohaib Masood, has been keeping the one-year-old tigers since last fall after rescuing them from previous owners in Ontario who could no longer manage them as pets.
Safety Concerns Drive Council Decision
The council's vote followed raised security concerns, as the area is primarily residential. Mayor Brian Grant emphasized that the administration lacks the resources to handle potential emergencies, such as if the tigers escape or during a fire incident. "Heaven forbid there's a fire on the property and our fire department has to go there to put out a fire or something like that and one of these animals is escaping," the mayor stated, highlighting the risks involved.
Owner's Defense and Relocation Deadline
Masood defended his setup, explaining that the tigers are kept behind multiple layers of fencing, with some barriers reaching up to 16 feet high. He noted that several gates must be unlocked before accessing the enclosure and claimed the tigers show no interest in escaping. Masood asserted that all zoo guidelines are being followed, but the council has set Monday as the final day for relocating Jagger and Aspen.
Jagger and Aspen are hybrids of Bengal and Siberian tigers. According to reports, Jagger weighs approximately 300 pounds, while Aspen is around 250 pounds. Masood expressed a deep bond with the animals, saying, "They love each other. They can’t be separated now." He added, "When you understand their behavior and what to do and what not to do, you kind of understand them. They’re big strong animals, but we do know their personalities and how to, you know, maneuver them."
Background on Masood's Animal Rescue Efforts
Masood revealed his intention to create a private sanctuary for rescued exotic animals, describing it as a self-funded project with no public access or profit motive. However, he is now searching for another location for the tigers. This incident is not his first encounter with authorities over animal care.
Last November, Ontario Animal Welfare Services seized a four-month-old male white tiger cub named Atlas and a 10-month-old male spotted hyena named Marilyn from Masood's Wainfleet property. The seizure occurred due to concerns that the animals were not receiving proper food, drinking water, or care. Masood recently lost his bid to have Atlas and Marilyn returned, underscoring ongoing challenges in his rescue endeavors.
The case highlights broader issues surrounding the keeping of exotic animals in residential areas and the balance between animal welfare and public safety.
