Dear Mark,



A state cannot undermine a federal regulation, although they can make the law even tougher in their own state. In fact, UNTIL LAST YEAR, there was a regulation in MD saying you COULD NOT OWN a turtle under 4". It was a health code regulation - I'll find you the COMAR when I get home tonight. Try calling up Glenn Therris at the DNR Wildlife and Heritage division and asking him.



The hobbyists in MD had to write a law last year and get it passed in the general assemly to make it legal to own baby turtles again. I know because I testified in Annapolis! But, the law says basically that it is legal under DNR regulations, but since DNR has not re-written their regs (but they are in the process), their regs still say it's illegal.



Vist the MATTS website at http://www.matts-turtles.org if you want to see a copy of the revised regulations that are proposed - DNR is thinking of making painteds, muds, musks, and redbellies class B reptiles, and requiring those that want to breed ANY species of turtle, native or not, to get a seperate permit.



Katrina

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Posted by: vidusa at Mon Jul 7 12:13:48 2003 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]



I know for fact, that in Maryland it is legal to sell hatchling turtles that are 1) not native to maryland, and 2) breed by a hobbyist and not a commercial operator.



Get you fact buddy. The law most refer to is a federal law. Federal means interstate. Also, if you read the law, sale of excess offspring of hobbyist is permited.



mark

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