Reptile & Amphibian Forums

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?

Whatever you say will be reduced to a 3-second sound bite. You won't be changing anyone's opinion by doing this. At worst, the editor will take something you say, run it out of context, and make you sound like a crazy person. At best? Um, they WON'T make you sound crazy.

That's a tough one. While I agree that the law is stupid, I'm not sure what good you could do by going on camera. You were violating the law, probably knowingly, and you're pissed that someone turned you in.

The difference between a conscientious protestor and a brazen criminal is in the eye of the beholder sometimes and snake keepers probably aren't going to get much benefit of the doubt from the viewing public...

Well, the segment aired on the local news. It was surprisingly informative and balanced. They even asked a neighbor of mine about it and she said "if he or his snake isnt bothering anyone he should be able to keep it". Ill kiss that woman when I see her around.
Overall, Im happy with the segment. I sure didn't expect it would turn into such a "big deal" though.

If it were me...

I'd call the reporter and give her a few well-chosen "off the record" sound-bites. See how she does with that. If I were treated fairly, then I might grant a limited on-camera interview. I'd be prepared to say what I want to have aired, but to have anything I say aired. I'd be brief and to the point. If I were out to change the county law, I'd be prepared to get into politics.

HOWEVER!

If I were potentially facing charges for possesion of an outlawed animal, I would keep a low profile, hire a lawyer and have him do the talking.

Good Luck,

JPD

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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"
0.1 Black Rat (WV Rescue) "Roberta"

http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/stories/wcnc-ad-8_25_06-snake.358374bf.html

If anyone wants to see. Not a bad segment but Im not sure it qualifies as front page news either but oh well, thats the sensationalist media for you.

Dude,

I'm sorry to hear what happened. At the very least, though, your snake was extremely lucky in the fact that it was not destroyed and is actually being cared for.

As far as the rest, I don't think going on camera after getting busted is really going to do much for your cause.
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Diego

Diego & Tiffany's Zoo:
SNAKES
4.4.0 Corn Snakes (Different morphs)
1.1.0 Everglades Rat Snakes
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor
0.1.0 Dumeril's Boa
1.1.0 Rosy Boas (Mexican & Mid Baja)
1.1.0 Kenyan Sand Boas
0.1.0 Indonesian Dwarf Pacific Boa
0.1.0 Tangerine Honduran Milksnake
1.0.0 Honduran Milksnake
1.2.0 Ball Pythons
1.0.0 Woma Python
1.1.0 Cape York Spotted Pythons
1.1.0 Macklot's Pythons
0.0.1 Ribbon Snake
1.0.0 Western Hognose
1.0.0 Albino San Diego Gopher Snake
0.0.1 Sonoran Gopher Snake
0.1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.1.0 Gray Banded Kingsnakes (River Road)
0.1.1 California Kingsnakes
1.0.0 Yellowtail Cribo
0.1.0 Blacktail Cribo

LIZARDS
1.0.0 Frilled Dragon
3.1.0 Bearded Dragons (2 Normal, 1 RedXGold, 1 Citrus)
1.1.0 Eastern Collared Lizard
0.1.0 Merauke Blue Tongue Skink
2.3.0 Leopard Geckos
1.0.1 Yellow Niger Uromastyx
FROGS
2.2.0 Southern Bell Frogs
1.0.1 Green Tree Frogs
1.1.0 Striped Walking Frogs
1.1.1 White's Tree Frogs

You broke the law! You say "herp laws are stupid" but you make yourself look even worse by blatantly breaking the law. If you go to the news, they'll grill you. It sounds like their laws still provide plenty of opportunities to keep reptiles, just not large constrictors and knowing how few responsible owners there are out there, that is probably not a bad thing. Would I prefer to see fewer laws restricting ownership? Absolutely, however, breaking the law just because it doesn't mesh with your beliefs is just going to add more fuel to the fire for continued restrictions on our hobby. So, congrats, for making it that much harder for the rest of us.

>>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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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

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)

Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian