What good will it do to go on the news??? There are laws in every state, county, city, and township that must be followed. It doesnt matter how stupid we find them, they are still laws. If you break the law, weather it be speeding, shoplifting, DUI, or any other set forth by your state or local government, then you must obey them, or pay the price.

I agree that most herp related laws are usually knee jerk reactions to something that has happened negatively to have these laws put into effect. Just like the anti-dog laws that cover ownership of pit bulls, dobermans, rottweillers, etc.....
They are still laws and must be followed.

An example of one here in KY. In order for a person to sell any CB native animal, or even a normal snake that falls into the species level, one must have a commercial propagation permit. Even if you were to sell a normal California king snake, which obviously is NOT native to KY, you still need the permit!!! Just because the snake is a Lampropeltis getula!!! The law does not break it down into ssp level. I dont agree with this at all, but I adhere to it because it IS the law.

Now get this, if I decide to sell an albino Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster, which is a native snake here in KY, I would not need any type of permit!! Just because it is a color morph and is readily indistinquishable from a wild caught individual!!!! To me that is not fair, but again, I adhere to the laws.

The more herpers that break laws, the more fuel anti-herp people have to create even more strict laws!! I believe that if you want to change the laws, you should get involved with the council when they have the open to the public hearings on such laws and voice your opinion. It would also be beneficial if you have facts to back up your concerns.

You have to admit that there are alot of inexperienced and inept owners out there who should not be allowed to own large constrictors. These people are the ones who give our hobby a black eye and bad names, and this is why the public reacts the way they do. We are the minority here and there are a few things that can be done to make it easier for us:
1. Follow ALL herp related laws, no matter how stupid we find them.
2. Education, Education, Education!!! Get out and do talks for people at city and county events. Go to schools and girl scout, boy scout meetings. This will go along way towards helping our hobby. The more people that are educated on herps, the better off we will be in the long run.
3. Be responsible owners and ensure our animals are well cared for and kept secured at all times.

Im glad that your snake was not destroyed, and that it was placed in a good home. I know that is not very comforting on your end, however, you did break the law. The best thing to do is to pay your fine, and ensure you follow any herp related laws in the future. I bet that the locals will be watching you closely if you create trouble. Voicing your opinion is one thing, but publicly blasting any local law enforcement, game enforcement, judicial system, or neighbors, will only dig your hole even deeper. you were in the wrong, plain and simple. If you dont agree with your local laws, then work to get them changed, but do it tactfully and respectfully.

Brian



>>OK, so the backstory is that a few days ago my large pet female burmese got "seized" by local Animal Control because she is larger than the 50 pound limit on snakes in my county. She has been transferred to a herp educational program so she is taken care of. I am in the process of trying to find out who reported her to Animal Control but that's a sidenote.
>>
>>Lo and behold, a local NEWS REPORTER shows up at my door today wanting to talk to me about the situation. I discussed it with her off camera but declined to go on camera about the situation, at least at that exact moment. And for those wondering, she apparently was tipped off by Animal Control and gave my personal information to the reporter. If I were to go on camera about it I would want to prepare. I do have the chance to still do it I imagine.
>>
>>I was wondering what others think? On the one hand I would want to take the chance to educate and cast some light on how herp laws are stupid and based on fear and not information. But on the other hand, Im wary of the media in any form when it comes to our animals. The irony of my rants against Snakes on a Plane (here and elsewhere), then my animal gets seized soon after, is not lost on me btw.
>>
>>Thoughts? Opinions?


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RATS
1.0 Corn snake "Warpath"(KY locale)
1.0 Black rat snake "Havok" (KY locale)
1.1 Black rat snakes "Reaper and Mystique" (MO locale)
1.0 Albino Black rat snake "Malakai" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Everglades rat snake "Deadpool" (Dwight Good stock)
0.1 Greenish rat snake "Rogue" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Great plains rat snake "Reign Fire" (TX locale)
1.0 Grey rat snake "Punisher" (White oak phase)(Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Yellow rat snake "Wolverine" (Dwight Good stock)

RACERS
1.0 Eastern Yellow Belly racer "Nightcrawler" (MO locale)

KINGS
1.1 California king snake "Bandit" & "Moonstar" (Coastal phase)
1.0 Prairie king snake "Bishop" (KY locale)
0.1 Black king snake "Domino" (KY locale)
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "Psylocke"
0.1 Florida Kingsnake "Shard"
0.1 Speckled Kingsnake "Haven" (MO locale)
2.0 Eastern kings "Gambit" & "X-cutioner"
1.0 Arizona Mtn King "Pyro"

MILKS
2.0 Eastern/red Milk intergrade "Cable" and "Omega Red" (KY locale)

BULLS/GOPHERS/PINES
0.1 Sonoran Gopher "Husk"
1.0 Kankakee bull "Random" (Phil Peak stock)

Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian

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