Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay, I have read and listened to everyone's posts about the HR669 issue and here are a few of my thoughts. However off you may think they are.
As I understand this issue, it is to ban ALL non native species. If this is correct, then aren't we to ban almost every pet in America?? ..Hear me out here.
There should be a line drawn in the sand so to speak. If you think about it couldn't dogs be considered a non native species?? Most dogs in the world originated somewhere else, be it Germany, France, Scotland, Australia where ever. Many breeds are still imported and exported daily. (German shepherds, rottweilers, just to name a few) But they aren't named in this ban.. If they were, I think more people would have great issues with it and would it have even been considered? Do the numerous strays and abandoned animals in the world not have an impact on our environment and our wildlife as well? They are sold, bred and traded across our states daily. Is it because they have been here so long?? What makes them any different from my spider or normal who was born and breed here in the US from snakes that were very likely captive born and bred in the US as well? Just my thought on this.. what makes my AFRICAN Royal python or Jane's SIAMESE fighting fish any different from Joe Shmoe's RUSSIAN wolfhound or John Doe's AUSTRALIAN Cattle dog??
It's ridiculous!
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This is courage.. to bear unflinching what heaven sends. -unknown

1.0 Chocolate lab (Harley)
1.0 Basset Hound (Capone)
0.1 German Shepard (Misha)
0.1 leopard gecko (Nacho)
1.0 Normal ball python (Arwen)
1.0 pastel ball python (Merlin)
0.1 Spider ball python (Rogue)
1.0 100% het pied (Dojo)
1.0 Normal male (Rebel)

This bill is not set up to be all encompassing. If passed, there will be an approved and unnaproved list as far as non-native species go. Any species that has been proven to, or potentially could become invasive and endanger native wildlife would be on the unnaproved list. I am against this bill just like everyone else, but they aren't just going to ban EVERY non native species.

is that all exotic species (except for the very few exotic, but domesticated, species already listed as "clean" - no reptiles, amphibians, or tropical fish are on the clean list so far) will be "guilty" until proven "innocent".

I am not sure how "somebody" (somebody who has money to fund studies, I guess)will prove each species in the pet trade, or ANY species in the trade, to be "non-invasive". If they can do that, they will have to fund the studies to prove it for each species desired to be kept, bred, and sold. It will take a lot of time and money to do that. How long will breeders, shops, and cage and supply manufacturers be able to exist (without sales) while all of this is sorted out, if it ever is?

Government is not known to move very swiftly, and the politicians pushing this have NO motivation to make it easy to get on the clean list. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for any particular species to make it onto the clean list, unless it is accomplished BEFORE the bill becomes law.

Dogs are named -- they are on the list of 15 species that are exempt from this bill. So irregardless of where your dog or cat or llama comes from they are unaffected by this bill.
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Tosha
JET Pythons
Toshas Blog

Herp Medicine does not equal a bottle of Baytril - Dr. Scott Stahl

I totally agree.

Thank GOODNESS it wasn't passed!!!
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