Reptile & Amphibian Forums

If local and state gov'ts keep legislating reptiles from private breeders, the law enforcement people will start laying off employees and screw up George Bush's economic recovery plans.
The Fish & Wildlife agents will wind up working 9-5 and [bleep]ing like everyone else trying to make ends meet.

Mike Perez / The not so big Apple.

There are good reasons for regulating trade in reptiles caught in the wild, especially if they are endangered. There are public safety issues of concern regarding the housing of dangerous reptiles by careless or inexperienced people.

However, there is a growing and disturbing trend by local jurisdictions and states, and perhaps even the Federal Government, to overregulate the ownership and possession of non-dangerous, non-endangered species.

When the Government sets up an agency to regulate something, that is exactly what it does. Unless the public makes sure government agencies behave in a responsible manner, they won't.
They will over-regulate, as this justifies a larger staff, more promotions, and higher salaries - it's just human nature.

I just posted a proposal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concerning the trade in snakes of the genus Boiga. I question the neccessity of such a regulation. To my knowledge, this group of reptiles, although rear-fanged, does not present a danger to anyone, except possibly those handling them, if they do not take adequate precautions. The peculiar problems one of these snakes created in a few isolated island environments does not justify, in my opinion, such a general ban.

If the mere possibiity that snakes of the genus Boiga MIGHT establish themselves here, they are opening a can of worms of potential problems. A great many species of widely different kept "exotic" pets MIGHT establish themselves here. Unless there is a really a serious threat or concern, the government should just bud out. If they succeed here, you can rest assured they will be banning the trade and privateownership of ALL venomous reptiles, and, eventaully, all snakes and exotic pets.

If you are really concerned, respond to the rule proposal notice prior to the November deadline, contact your Federal representatives and let them know how you feel.

As you know, there is also a very active lobby of "animal lovers" who oppose the private ownership of animals under almost ANY circumstances, especially "exotic" animals. This group is constantly lobbying the government on issues like these. Unless the Herpetological fanciers in this country band together, police themselves to prevent abuse, and make elected officials and overzealous beaurocrats aware of their numbers, concern and voting power, keeping reptiles and amphibians will become totally banned as a hobby in this country.

I also omitted another factor. The lawyer-insurance company alliance.

Attorneys benefit from restrictive laws. They generate more law suits. Insurance companies respond by lobbying for ever increasing restrictions on our personal freedoms to assure they will not have to appear in court, face attorneys, and pay out money in damages - real or concocted by unscrupulous lawyers and greedy members of the public.

Since the majority of legislators - federal and state - are attorneys, they have a vested interest in generating more and more laws and they are in a position to succeed, unless you - the voting public - make sure they don't