Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Its really ashame that this hobby is going the way it is...thanks to the powers that be. You guys want someone to blame? Try Tennessee. This poor excuse for a state has very restrictive laws. I was told sometime ago by one of the very people "in charge" of enforcing our exotic animal laws that other states were looking at our regulations and using them as a template to strengthen their own laws governing exotics. Even states that once thought they were safe from being regulated are starting to feel the heat now. I thought of moving once to a state that was less restrictive, but I suppose at this point, that wont do a thing for me. Sorry, felt like ranting for a bit. Just over being told what I can and cannot do under the guise of "public safety"....if they are that worried about public safety...ban the sale of alcohol. How many people have died from drunk drivers as opposed to people that keep hots? Ban the sale of large canines..how many of those have attacked and killed children?

They should just ban all domestic animals, dogs and livestock are the most dangerous animals by far causing more death and injury than a lump of all exotics. The only animal more dangerous than those would be humans...

Lance

Yeah really.....how this....we can keep ostriches here in the state and they have been known to disembowl lions...sort of puts that little copperhead to shame when it comes to "public safety".....

They have polictical connections to have exotic game and livestock here. While somebody wanting a pet herp or fish is likely to be pulled over hot coals in the world of politics and legislation.

By the way did I mention that House Rep Harvey Hilderbran that proposed the ban on exotic herps in Texas (HB 1309) was executive director of Exotic Wildlife Association?

He has and sells canned hunts in the Hill Country in Texas.

Lance

Oh yeah...thats the way it is here as well. You know the right person or throw enough money their way (to their campaign for instance) and you can get things done. Same old politics. Even stores here that sell things as simple as corn snakes get treated poorly. They are just looking for reason to shut you down. They even went as far as saying that they would "allow" a person to possess garter snakes even though they are technically rear fanged. They were scared to death that someone might have an allergic reaction to the bite. See what we have to deal with here.....I suppose I should be thankful we can still keep other snakes!!!!!

Tim

Hognose snakes are, and are not considered a danger. Is that what you were getting at?

Lance

Exactly, stupid isnt it? They listed hognose snakes as one of the other "allowed rear fanged. And yes, he did include garter snakes in the list of rear fanged snakes....the old "well if you let one chew on you, it could get some saliva in the wound and cause a reaction" speech. The herpetologists and pet store owners ive talked to here got that blank look on their face when I told them that. Just couldnt believe it. We could keep mangrove snakes here for a bit until they dug for some info and found a case in South Africa, I believe, a guy had possession of a mangrove snake, got bitten and then had a anaphylactic reaction to it chewing on his arm. So they used that as a basis for banning them. I had contacted them, found out that they were legal to own, bought one, kept it for 2 weeks until they contacted me by email telling me that they had found out that guy had gotten bit and had a reaction to it, so therefore they were now considered Class 1 wildlife, illegal to privately own and if I was in possession of one, I had 30 days to get rid of it before being in violation. So, if this is the way they are going to start doing things in other states now, I feel sorry for those who are going to have to endure that nonsense. Even keepers who fight it will get the 1 step forward, two steps back routine. They will say, "ok those of you that keep these snakes before the ban goes in effect, your are safe....but....new regulations state that for each species kept, you must apply for a permit to purchase antivenin for that particular species. Along with that, they will expect you to make your home setup as secure as a zoo herpetology exhibit and pass inspection. If you cant afford to do that, then tough luck....you have 30 days to get rid of your collection. Im not JUST complaining with what ive said here, it happened here and its happening elsewhere as well. You guys that have a strong herp group in other states need to buckle in and get ready for the fight. The animal rights extremists are doing just that. They have alot money and they use fear and ignorance tactics to sway your lawmakers.

Tim