Frustrations AGAIN

It comes back to this...

Now, it seems like every state and their mother want to introduce legislation on reptiles.

Now, don't get me wrong. I understand where the fear comes from, and I know that there are irresponsible pet owners out there (of all kinds of pets) that ruin it for all of us.

It just seems to me that they are coming out in DROVES now.

It's very frustrating.

Illinois and Virgina have both initiated new Acts:

Illinois:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/97/SB/09700SB3264.htm

New Act

720 ILCS 585/Act rep.

Creates the Dangerous Animals Act of 2012. Identifies a class of animals that qualify as dangerous animals. Provides that a person must hold a Dangerous Animal Permit or a Limited Entry Permit to possess a dangerous animal in the State. Sets forth requirements that must be met before the Department of Natural Resources may issue a Dangerous Animal Permit or a Limited Entry Permit. Provides for the suspension of permit privileges and the revocation of permits. Requires certain records to be kept by the possessors of a dangerous animal. Sets forth additional prohibitions related to the keeping and transport of dangerous animals. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act. Sets forth provisions related to civil liability and immunity. Provides for the seizure and forfeiture of dangerous animals and equipment under certain circumstances. Creates the Dangerous Animal Advisory Committee to review periodically the list of dangerous animals. Exempts certain individuals and institutions from the requirements of the Act. Repeals the Illinois Dangerous Animal Act.

Virginia:


http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+HB1242


Conditions on the Ownership of Dangerous Wild Animals.  § 29.1-578. Possession, sale, transfer, and breeding of certain animals.
It is unlawful for any person to possess, sell, transfer, or breed any of the following animals:
1. Order Carnivora:
a. Family Canidae: all species and hybrids of the genera Canis (wolves and related species), Cuon (dholes), Lycaon (African wild dogs), and Chrysocyon (maned wolves); excluding Canis lupus familiaris (domestic dogs) and Canis lupus familiaris hybrids.
b. Family Felidae: all species and hybrids of the family Felidae (all felids); excluding Felis catus (domestic cats) and Felis catus hybrids.
c. Family Ursidae: all species and hybrids of bears.
d. Family Hyaenidae: all species of hyena and aardwolf.
2. Order Crocodilia: all species of alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and gharials.
3. Order Primates: all species and hybrids of apes, galagos, lemurs, lorises, and monkeys, excluding humans.
4. Order Proboscidea: all species of elephants.
5. Order Squamata:
a. Family Atractaspididae: all species and hybrids, such as mole vipers.
b. Family Boidae, to include all species that may be described as family Pythonidae: all species and hybrids of the genera Apodora (pythons), Eunectes (anacondas), Liasis (pythons), Morelia (pythons), and Python (pythons); excluding Morelia viridis (green tree pythons), Python anchietae (Angolan pythons), and Python regius (ball or royal pythons).
c. Family Colubridae: all species and hybrids of the genera Dispholidus (boomslangs), Rhabdophis (keelbacks), and Thelotornis (twig snakes).
d. Family Elapidae, to include all species that may be described as family Hydrophiidae: all species and hybrids, such as cobras, mambas, coral snakes, and sea snakes.
e. Family Viperidae: all species and hybrids, such as rattlesnakes, pit vipers, and puff adders.


Yes, I know, I don't live in these states, and you may not either, but there is so much happening, who knows when it will come to your state?


Please take the time to write your congressman, support USARK and other Agencies to protect your rights as knowledgeable informed pet owners.

If you can, go to the NARBC Tinley show and be a part of the "Reptile Owners Rights Summit". Do what you can to keep your critters.

You can do your part. If you don't, who will?

Have a great day, my friends.

READ THIS!

So I am going to give the floor to my fellow herper, Mr. Micheal Crabtree.

He has written a very well thought out and thorough blog on the history and current situation that we are encountering with the New Reptile Legislation.

It's a long read, longer that I usually give a daily blog, but it sums up more than I ever could the entire situation of the large snake rulings.

So please, sit back, take a moment and read this.

I hope this answers a lot of your questions about what is really going on.


http://studentofthereptile.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/43/

This YouTube video helps as well.

Read, share, and think about it. Do what you must.

Have a great day, my friends.

Reflection

I have to say that with the legislation doing what it is doing, I have time to reflect on why I am working with snakes in the first place.

I am allergic to many creatures, as is my Mother. I grew up with exotics as pets because I had to. I never got to own a snake, as my Mother was afraid, but I did get to have various types of fish, birds and the occasional try at a hamster.

So why then did I end up with Ball Pythons?

Cause they are gorgeous and fun to work with. End of story.

Snakes are all beautiful in their own way, and with patterns and colors that rival the rainbow, (and some that are named after the rainbow), how can anyone not value them as creatures worth keeping and enjoying? 

Yes, they eat live animals, and yes, they are somewhat intimidating.

It is mainly in ignorance that much of the fear is spread.

This is true of many things, and especially true of the new Legislation.

 

I will be the first to admit that yes, the Burms are in Florida. That is an obvious fact.

But why is it that Yellow Anacondas and "African Pythons" are included in this?

And why is it that we are banning these animals instead of controlling the current wild population?

How will this help things?

I have no idea. 

And of course, as I can, I try to be as fair minded as possible. I understand and see where the government is going with this. They need to find some way of controlling the invasive populations that are in Florida and other states. 

But how is this new legislation on current domestic animals going to help?

I don't see how it does. I see it as more people, afraid of getting in trouble, letting more animals go into the wild. 

And THAT will be even worse. 

Then what?

More legislation....

A never ending cycle. 

Let us hope that things turn around.

And do what you can to help people see the error of this, professionally and courteously.

No sense in swearing and yelling. That doesn't do much good but make us all look like fools.

Let's do this thing, folks.

Have a great day, my friends.

US Snake Ban getting closer to reality

Taken from: http://www.kingsnake.com/blog/archives/782-U.S.-to-approve-ban-on-Burmese-and-African-Rock-Pythons.html

U.S. to approve ban on Burmese and African Rock Pythons

By Jeff Barringer
Mon, January 16 2012 at 21:05

After a five year plus battle and despite the best efforts of the reptile community, it is being reported by the Miami Herald that the U.S. is set to approve a federal ban on Burmese Pythons and most likely African Rock Pythons as well, next week during the presidents stop in Florida.

Under a rule that has been the subject of five years of lobbying and debate in Washington, the United States intends to declare the Burmese python an “injurious’’ species, which would make it illegal to import or sell the snakes across state lines. At least one other species that has been found in the Glades, the African rock python, also is expected to be included on the “injurious’’ list that originally included nine large constrictors.

As yet there is no word on the other 7 species on the proposed list, including Reticulated Pythons and Boa Constrictors, but watch this space for further news updates as they come in.

For more information on the expected announcement see
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/16/2592593/us-set-to-approve-python-ban.html

UPDATE:

The Ban will include only: Burmese Python, African Rock Python, and Anaconda..

"Sixty days after publication of the final rule in the Federal Register, interstate transport and importation of live individuals, gametes, viable eggs, or hybrids of the Burmese python, northern and southern African pythons and yellow anaconda into the United States will be prohibited. None of these species is native to the United States."

http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Salazar-Announces-Ban-on-Importation-and-Interstate-Transportation-of-Four-Giant-Snakes-that-Threaten-Everglades.cfm

Do your part. Click these links and do what you feel you need to do:

http://united-states-association-of-reptile-keepers.rallycongress.com/5799/no-on-fws-python-rule-bad-american-small-business-families-alread/  

http://united-states-association-of-reptile-keepers.rallycongress.com/

The Herp Nation

WHAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW ABOUT THE PYTHON BAN?

Well, I have to say that things have been quiet for a bit now, but I want to update all of you about what is of concern in regards to reptile ownership in the United States.

Andrew Wyatt of USARK did an interview with Herp Nation Live that I feel that everyone should listen to.

So here we are.

Please take a few minutes (It runs for 5:34 minutes) to listen up on what is going on in regards to the Reptile Nation.

Here is the Link.

Take the time, see what you think, lets discuss.

Also, here is an interview with Andrew Wyatt of USARK on Reptile Living Room about what they do and why it is so important to the Reptile Community to get together and support this movement!

Here is the Link.

Have a great weekend, my friends.

With everything going on, Reptiles under Fire again!

With everything going on in terms of the lack of real action going on in my own snake room, I have to say, I am somewhat at a loss as to what to discuss. Sometimes there are days where I just ramble on about random things, and today seems to be one of those days...

Of course, I am always looking for suggestions for blogs, so that I don't feel like I am drawing from random areas (including my rear end) for ideas about what to talk about day to day.

One topic that has come up recently is again the federal and state actions regarding reptile regulations.

In Los Angeles county alone, there was a proposed ordinance put forth to the Board of Supervisors in regards to the care of animals, including reptiles, in the county.

Here is the E-mail that USARK sent out regarding the issue:



Proposed regulatory changes in Los Angeles County could shut down or force relocation of Reptile & Tropical Fish breeders, dealers and pet stores. Although primarily aimed towards dogs and cats it will have a devestaying impact on the Reptile Nation in LA County.



If enacted the new regulations would require:


1. Cages would not be allowed to be stacked.


2. 24/7 staffing if have more than 50 animals in the facility. See proposed Section 10.40.010(Z). If less than 50 animals, you must have adequate staffing for at least 8 hours a day. If you have more than 50 fish, reptiles, birds, etc., or any combination thereof, you must staff the facility 24/7.


3. Records must be kept on each "Animal". "Animals" defined in Section 10.08.020 any animal, bird, reptile or fish.


4. Proprietary business information will be available to the public (that could mean Animal Rights groups).


5. The Department may also impose “reasonable conditions” on a breeding license for any non dog or cat breeder.


Click here to read LA County Regulatory Proposal: http://www.usark.org/uploads/LAcountyRegs.pdf


Click here to take Immediate Action to Stop LA County Regulatory Proposal: http://usark.org/campaign.php?id=14


There will be two hearings in LA this week. Please attend if you can. It is extremely important that as many members of the Reptile Nation show up as possible. This regulation could really hurt LA members of USARK. We can't let this happen! Go to these meetings!!


Child Support Services

Phillip Browning Room

5500 S. Eastern Avenue, 1st Floor

Commerce, CA 90040

March 9, 2010 -- 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.


City Council Chambers

38300 Sierra Highway

Palmdale, CA 93550

March 10, 2010 -- 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 
 
 
 
Now, I was unable to attend these meetings, but I am aware that my collegues were able to, enough to get this from a friend in regards to an e-mail he sent to the Department of Animal Care and Control in Los Angeles County in response to his concern regarding the issue:
 
 
 
Today we met with some business owners from the County who raised similar concerns as you have. You should know that we have decided to take the current ordinance off the March 16, 2010 Board of Supervisors agenda to make sure that our well-meaning ordinance does not have any unintended negative consequences to legitimate entities within the County. One of the items we will definitely address is how the new ordinance should or should not apply to reptiles, amphibians, and other animals with unique considerations.
Thank you for your input,
Ordinance Division
Department of Animal Care & Control
County of Los Angeles



 
This is a fantastic response to something that could have been devastating to many many reptile buisnesses in the Los Angeles County. BUT, it is not over (it is NEVER over), so if you have an opportunity to go to the meeting today, I would greatly suggest that you do so:
 
City Council Chambers

38300 Sierra Highway
Palmdale, CA 93550
March 10, 2010 -- 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Yes, short notice, but hey... Better late than never.

This only applies to those in the Los Angeles County region, but to the national public that reads this, be aware that exotic pet ownership is under fire from all angles. Defend your rights to own your creatures. Speak up for the animals that cannot speak for themselves.


Have a fantastic and productive day, my friends.