Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I would first like to ask why and where does Senator Garwood's research come from to support each and every animal he intends to ban, permit or insure (looks like a "cookie-cutter" bill). Permits and insurance reek of more dollars each citizen has to pay. I'm tired of government passing laws under the guise of protecting me, the public, but it just keeps coming.

I am a small business owner and one of my interest has always been reptiles. Most people have an irrational fear of snakes and would rather kill them than have them in their presence. All snakes (reptiles) are beneficial. I have friends that I have tried to convince for years not to kill any snake on their property but to know avail because of their fear (ignorance). Other I have had come get me to remove a Copperhead and a Rattlesnake from the yard and street and return to the neighboring National Forest. Most of us that have kept reptiles have done so because of a deep interest and a respect for them as well as other animals. We have spent hundreds of hours researching and keeping these animals since we were children. Some of even go into related fields of study. But what makes us professional is not a degree but our interest we have in keeping and studying these animals.

I would like to see statistics printed, for all of us interested in these animals, especially the reptiles, to compare (validate) them with dog bite/deaths in the United States, listed below, and see how they compare and to show these concerns are unwarranted in comparison. On a recent show on animals I was surprised to find that deer contributed to the most human deaths in the U. S. because of collisions with cars, I was sure it would be dogs. This must be the reason we return the favor by killing them each year hunting them. Horses ranked high as well but I don't see you proposing to ban them. Let's be fair and reasonable and not pass laws because of a few people's concerns/fears or because of an activist group said "Boo".

---In 2001, an estimated 68 million dogs were pets in the U.S. and an estimated 368,245 humans were victims of dog bite related injuries and children ages 5 to 9 had the highest related injuries. 42% of those bitten were children 14 years of age and younger--154,625 victims.

---From 1979 through 1996, dog attacks resulted in more than 300 human deaths in the U. S. Most were children!

---It has been estimated that about 4.5 million people (nearly 2% of the American population) are bitten by dogs each year. In 1994, of the estimated 4.5 million people bitten by dogs, 800,000 south medical care. Of these , 332,000 sought treatment in emergency rooms, and 600 were hospitalized. In 1994, hospital charges for dog bite victims was an estimated $62.5 million, emergency room charges estimated at $102.4 million and direct medical charges incurred as a result of dog bites was
estimated at $164.9 million. (Source www.dogbitelegalcenter.com/resources/dogbite-statistics.html)

If legislation needs to protect us it looks like you need to spend much more time on dogs and dog owners and not on the animals on this list because dogs are inherently dangerous animals (in your terms). I personally feel like I think most Americans feel that legislature's time and our money would be better spent on more important issues such as education, soaring insurance and energy costs and especially illegal immigration that is costing our country at an alarming and increasing rate and our security.

Please take this into consideration and do the right thing--don't pass this unnecessary bill. I challange you to do your research and compare you'll find it's unwarranted. Let me know what you find and please respond back. Last year not one of you did.

Sincerely, T. Kelley

I agree that studies need to done, to compare, but I can tell you, they are passing bills left and right in regards to dogs. Most of it unwarranted! They unfairly target breeds that make the CDC list of dog bites. The top dogs that get the attention are Pit Bulls, not that there really is a breed called a Pit Bull, but it encompasses most of the Bully type breeds. Other breeds that are banned are Rottweilers, Dobermans, Shepherds, Huskies, Malamutes and other large breed dogs, Mastiffs also come to mind. Why? Because, people fear these breeds, and don't really understand them. I have never come across a mean Bully type breed, or Doberman, or Rottweiler and I own both a Husky and Malamute and they aren't mean dogs. The kids fall on them, play with their ears and what have you, but the dogs just sit or lie there and never complain. It's all in how they are raised, always remember, there are no bad dogs, only bad owners!

Now, in regards to reptiles, I did a college paper on the NY Exotics bill passed in '04. During that research, I discovered that there are more shark attacks then there are attacks by reptiles. Yes, more sharks attack humans then do reptiles. Besides, who is honestly the one at the most risk when it comes to pet reptiles? The owner obviously. So all they are doing is legislating the owner's safety and nothing really more. It's sad that they feel they need to do these things and without true research.

A few weeks ago, there was a news story on the 5 o'clock news in NYC about an Asiatic Water Monitor juvenile. This monitor was found out and about for whatever reason. They went on to discuss how large these monitors get and that they can do serious harm. They then mentioned that the ACOs report an approximate 300% increase in the amount of reptiles being found. Well, Duh! This is what happens when you pass a bill that restricts or puts stipulations on how you can keep something. They however didn't get into that little fact; after all it wouldn't garner fear! Most people, especially in the cities that have the reptiles that were banned, can't afford the what, $175 dollar permit fee to keep the animals that you have! Most would say then why would you have the reptile then if you can't afford the permit fee? Well, they were probably able to afford the food and stuff, but the $175 fee every year or every other year is a bit much. New Jersey's fee if I remember correctly is $10 for every reptile covered by the permit system in your home. Not $175 per animal.

What we need to do as a community is educate anyone that will listen in whatever way we can. Anytime I go into a pet store, and I have the time, if anyone is looking at the reptiles I will stand there and answer any question that they may have. Because the pet stores know me and know my experience with reptiles they allow me to do this. Sometimes, the people find out for the first time that the cute little green lizard there with the spikes just starting to show on their backs are really going to grow up into 6 foot tails with teeth that will shred your hands, claws that will tear your arms and an attitude problem come breeding season. Yes, I use the term 6 foot tails, because in reality, an Iguana is mostly tail and they aren't afraid to use it! I am not afraid to shock them into understanding that what they see, especially with reptiles isn't always what they get. Does it bother me that I discourage people? Not at all! Why? Because if will for the most part will weed out those that may give up the reptile to a rescue, or just turn it loose. Those that stay and listen to me for like an hour, usually are the ones that say, yes, I think I can o this and understand what they are getting into. Other, that are afraid of reptiles and were just looking with a disgusted look on their face, come out understanding reptiles a little better and aren't that afraid of them anymore. Does it always work? Nope, but I do what I can!

I do as much educating as I possibly can. My wife taught me a saying that I will never forget and use to its fullest. You catch more bees with honey! Don't confront them with an attitude, talk to them with respect and understanding and you will have someone that will more then likely take your advice and teaching to heart and one that will not be afraid of reptiles.

Sorry, that was really long winded and I hope that you can understand what I am trying to portray in my writing. Hopefully, this is a little bit of help, even if it does side track a little! 8-)

As a previous reply to your post has stated, dogs ARE being banned left and right! Not only that, but many places are putting into effect mandatory spay/neuter laws, imposing huge licensing fees for sexually intact dogs(sometimes any over the age of EIGHT WEEKS, requiring spay/neuter of very young puppies)or litters produced, limiting the number of dogs a household can keep(often to no more than two), or limiting the size of the dog a person can have(pretty much anything bigger than a Beagle is a No-No). Dog ownership is very much under attack in this country and Canada, by the SAME PEOPLE who are also attacking ownership of "exotics"-the Animal Rights supporters. The sooner that all animal owners, breeders, keepers, sellers, buyers, whatever-wake the **** up and realize that we are ALL in this together, the better chance we have of defeating these extremists! Pitting dog owners against reptile owners, or hunters, or farmers who raise animals for human consumption, plays right into the hands of those who want to see ALL animal/human interaction, from eating steak to keeping pets to captive breeding of animals in zoos, banned totally. United we stand; divided we fall, folks. When we point fingers at one animal or the other as being somehow more worthy of banning or restricting, we are cutting off our own noses to spite our own faces, and groups like PeTA, the HSUS, API and ALF are laughing their butts off at us with evil glee.

McKenzieS

Do you have a link for this bill so I can see the text? It sounds like it might be a boiler plate from the Animal Welfare Institute.

Katrina
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1.2 Eastern Muds - Fred, Ethel, Edith
0.1 Iguana - Tiffel
0.1 Bearded Dragon - Foster
Foster turtles: More than I'd like the husband to know about.

Go to this site. It's pretty much a "cookie cutter" bill from other staes. Sen. Garwood has been voted out but the bill still lingers through a study bill.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2005&BillID=S1032