An Ontario man has been ordered by a Superior Court judge not to bring a snake to ongoing proceedings in a family law dispute. According to a November 2025 decision by Justice Calum MacLeod, the man appeared at a family court case conference with an albino ball python named “Rico,” insisting that the snake was a service animal. In reviewing the evidence, Justice MacLeod wrote that “the ‘doctor’ who wrote the note stating that (King) needed the presence of the service animal is not a person registered with any (Ontario medical colleges). Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement Advertisement“I am satisfied on the evidence that Rico is not a service animal within the meaning of any applicable standard or legislation,” wrote MacLeod. He ordered a ban against King from “bringing Rico or any other service animal” into the courthouse without leave.

Source: National Post January 21, 2026 18:50 UTC