Reptile & Amphibian Forums

http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills081/biltxt/intro/HB1847I.htm
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Astronomy Picture of the Day

no reptiles in this state period...yikes...

Not only no reptiles of any kind, but if you read a bit further, all birds (canaries, parakeets, parrots) will be considered under the wild animal ban also. What is this world coming to? What is in the mind of the idiot who drafted this?
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Kare

"keep smiling; it makes people wonder what you're up to!"

Looks like it would include all invertebrates as well, Tarantulas, Millipedes, Scorpions, etc... Looks very restrictive.

Whats up with all of these wild animal ordinances lately anyway? Who's behind all of this pushing for these laws? Is it a single person or group? Lawmakers don't generally go around writing new laws just for the fun of it, somebody had to put a bug in someones ear.

I read on a parrot forum site that someone had called Jeff City and this bill is dead, for now. Might be good to double check though.....

Correct me if I am wrong but if you read it states in the definition of "Wild Animal" that does not include "companion animals", then if you look at the definition of "companion aminals" that includes basically all pets including reptiles. So I believe it's not saying you can't have a pet snake or any other animal, but you can't catch one from the wild and keep it as a pet. Correct me if I am wrong here. I guess I believe this is inline of other states trends to discourage collection of wild populations and not to nessesarly discourage captive breeding and pet keeping. Still it is a sad day when a kid catches a frog or toad or garter snake for the first time and excitedly takes it home and wants to keep it and observe and learn, but that kids parents have to say, "no child let it go so Mommy and Daddy don't go to jail and loose our jobs and our house and everything we have worked for our whole lives over a toad" Then again maybe the answer justifiably should be, " no child, but we can go to the pet store and purchase a CBB and support the legitimate pet industry. Again please correct my if I am way out of line here.
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1.0 pastel ball python
0.1 mojave ball python
0.1 normal ball python
0.2 3-toed box turtles
2.3 eastern box turtles
0.0.5 3-striped mud turtle
1.0 northern diamondback terrapin
2.1 tiger salamander
1.1 red-sided garter
1.0 anerythristic red-sided garter
1.1 Iowa snow plains garter
1.1 Het butter stripe cornsnake
0.1 anerythristic motley cornsnake

this is why we need to get unified and fight these laws. This is uterly rediculous. These laws cannot be legal and honestly what reason is there behind them in the first place? The reason is that PETA and The Humane Society of the United States have united in their fight for our rights. Everyone here needs to join PIJAC and write letters to their state and federal reps. If we don't fight these laws NOW every state will try to pass this type of legislation and we cannot allow them to do it.
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Josh & Krysty Hutto
J&K Reptiles

Various Ball Pythons, boas, dogs, cats, fish, an amel tiger retic female, a couple sulcatas and a few other odds and ends.

a BAD dog is MADE not bred, support the American Pit Bull Terrier as the greatest breed of dogs on Earth!!!!!

Over the last several days I have been encouraged to join PIJAC more times than I can count. I would like to know, however, what exactly is PIJAC doing to help in this fight. I have not seen anyone from PIJAC post talking points, suggest strategies, provide contact information for representatives or a place to get that information or provide a summary of their activities. They are still not even confirmed for the panel discussion to be hosted here at the end of the month.

I agree that a united front is necessary and that it would be great if there was an organization that would take the lead and help to keep everyone focused and on point. I would just like to know, before I join, that PIJAC is actually doing those things and, so far, I have seen no evidence of that. If I am missing it, please point me in the right direction.

Please do not misinterpret this as apathy on my part. I am happy to write letters and talk to representatives. As a former lobbyist, however, I also recognize the importance of a well reasoned, logical response. Personally, I would like to see a group like PIJAC provide some of the data (ie-talking points) that F&W is looking for in their questions as I have no idea of things like the size of the reptile industry or its economic impact and to attempt to make those numbers up just so I can say I wrote a letter would be a mistake.

I will agree that now is the time to act but, as I said, I would like to see some evidence of that action before just sending money to a group that may or may not use my money for the cause I am fighting for.

Rob

I believe this bill is stalled not necessarily dead. At present it is not scheduled for a hearing or a vote. For up to date details visit: http://www.house.state.mo.us/billtracking/bills081/bills/hb1847.htm

I agree with some of the other posts, we need an association of that fights for our rights.
MO House of Bill 1847