Ontario Judge Issues Ban on Python in Family Court Proceedings
A Supreme Court justice has issued a definitive ruling prohibiting an Ontario man from bringing his albino ball python to family court proceedings, determining that the reptile does not qualify as a legitimate service animal under applicable standards.
Unusual Courtroom Presence Sparks Legal Challenge
According to court documents filed in Brockville, Daniel King appeared at a case conference on August 18, 2025, accompanied by his albino ball python named Rico. King insisted the snake served as an accredited service animal essential for his mental well-being during the family court proceedings.
The applicant in the case, Michelle Parker, immediately objected to the snake's presence in the courtroom, expressing discomfort and concern about its appropriateness in a legal setting. Despite her objections, the initial proceedings continued with both Parker and the python present.
Legal Scrutiny Reveals Documentation Issues
Justice Calum MacLeod's ruling, dated November 18, 2025, revealed significant problems with the documentation supporting Rico's status as a service animal. The justice noted that the medical professional who wrote the note claiming King needed the snake's presence was not registered with any applicable regulatory colleges in Ontario.
"Furthermore the 'certificate' appears to be from a non-existent national registry of service animals," Justice MacLeod wrote in his decision, casting serious doubt on the legitimacy of the snake's claimed status.
Intimidation Concerns and Phobia Allegations
Parker brought forward a motion to ban Rico or any other snake from attending future family court proceedings, arguing that King was aware of her well-documented fear of snakes and that the python's presence served to intimidate her during legal proceedings.
The court noted that King was served notice of Parker's motion on November 7, 2025, via email but failed to file any response or evidence opposing the motion, leaving Parker's arguments unchallenged in the legal record.
Judge's Ruling on Service Animal Standards
In his comprehensive ruling, Justice MacLeod stated: "I am satisfied on the evidence that Rico is not a service animal within the meaning of any applicable standard or legislation." The justice emphasized that "there is no evidence before the court that the Respondent suffers from a disability or that the only way to accommodate that disability is the use of a snake as a service animal."
While acknowledging that courts generally recognize legitimate service animals for individuals with physical or mental disabilities, Justice MacLeod determined that the use of a snake in this particular case "interferes with the administration of justice or negatively impacts other participants in the justice system."
Courtroom Protocol and Future Considerations
The ruling establishes that the presiding judge in the ongoing case retains authority to accept official documentation and evidence regarding service animal use at future hearings. However, until such documentation meets legal standards, King is prohibited from bringing Rico or any other service animal into the courthouse without explicit judicial permission.
This case highlights the complex intersection of mental health accommodations, service animal regulations, and courtroom decorum in Ontario's family court system, setting a precedent for how unusual service animal claims will be evaluated in legal proceedings moving forward.
