I was one of the vendors in columbus - and your description is very accurate. I was not cited - I have always strived to abide by the laws and resent the hobbist that bring in the wild caught,etc.

The other issue they were confiscating and citing on was any animal (mostly turtles/tortoises) over 6" native to the united states must be chiped to prove captive breed or properly collected. And they were demanding papers on each animal individuals had at their table - most could not produce these on the spot. They also had search warrents for numerous of the vendors homes and searched their houses during the same time.



These requirements and the vet requirement (althougth may help ensure healthy animals) will price out most of the vendors. Unless you have a family member who is a vet - the cost are outragious. To see a single animal it is at least $40 - for each additional animal they add $25. DO the math - End result is the largest longest running monthly show in the country was targeted to be shut down. Also what many don't know - because media as you said pushed this as a local ohio issue of "devestating the native environment" - there were mostly federal agents!!! And they made it clear they were targeting several state shows.

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