Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For Immediate Release

For questions contact:

Andrew Wyatt
president@usark.org
www.usark.org

WILMINGTON, N.C. (July 2, 2009) - The United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of 2-year old Shaiunna Hare, who was killed in her home in Oxford, Florida Wednesday morning. Although authorities have not ruled out foul play, the Sumter County Sheriff's Office has initially reported the cause of death to be a 8-foot Burmese Python that was being kept in the home as a pet. The Sheriff’s Office further reported that the family did not have the necessary permits to handle or keep the snake, nor did they have the required caging or follow proper safety protocols as mandated under Florida State law.

Florida Fish & Wildlife and the Florida Reptile Community have established strict guidelines for ownership of this type of animal within the state. Burmese Pythons are a ‘Reptile of Concern’ and fall under a statute requiring an annual permit. There are strict guidelines for secure caging, education and experience requirements and inspections. USARK is a strong advocate of handling and safety protocols and industry best operating procedures. We would like to recognize Florida Fish & Wildlife, Sumter County Sheriffs Dept. and Lake- Sumter EMS for handling this emotionally delicate situation in such an even-handed and professional manner.

“Although we still have a lot of questions, this is a tragedy that could have been prevented and that is truly heart wrenching”, said USARK President Andrew Wyatt. “Ownership of any animal requires a great deal of responsibility, and reptiles are no different. USARK works with states across the nation to implement strong safeguards aimed at preventing situations like this from ever occurring”, added Wyatt. “Unfortunately animal related tragedies are not uncommon. Dozens are killed every year by dogs and horses. This case is unusual because there is a snake involved; but even more so because of the apparent gross negligence and disregard for law. There are strong laws in place in Florida. If the laws had been followed this death would never have occurred. Our heart goes out to the family as they deal with this tragedy and wrestle with the knowledge that they played a major role in it.”

The US Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) is a science and education-based advocate for the responsible private ownership of, and trade in reptiles. Widely recognized as setting the standard for safe responsible reptile keeping nationwide, USARK endorses caging standards, sound husbandry, escape prevention protocols, and an integrated approach to vital conservation issues. Its goal is to facilitate cooperation between government agencies, the scientific community, and the private sector in order to produce policy proposals that will effectively address important husbandry and conservation issues. The health of these animals, public safety, and maintaining ecological integrity are its primary concerns.

Currently USARK has state legislation pending in North Carolina that would require secure caging standards, safety & escape prevention protocols as well as penalties for negligence and violations.

Contributors: Andrew Wyatt (President USARK), Dennis Sargent (Fl. Reptile community) & Greg Graziani (Fl. Reptile community)

Note to Reptile Nation:

This Press release was sent to the Associated Press (AP) and various other media outlets.
The challenges we face at the federal and state level by those who would oppose responsible reptile ownership are merely one tragic event away from being enacted into law. Bad policy that could never stand on its own can easily be swept through legislatures and the U.S. Congress on a wave of emotion following the irresponsible actions of others.

USARK must stand firm on strong caging standards, sound husbandry, escape prevention protocols, and an integrated approach to vital conservation issues. In our view this is also the time to pursue a USARK Accreditation Program. Working with federal and state regulators to develop recognized and accepted standards and protocols insulates our community from having the terms of our existence dictated to us by those who would oppose reptile ownership altogether. It is also a way to establish USARK more firmly as the national standard bearer for the reptile-keeping community.

USARK has historically worked at the state level to implement strong laws for responsible ownership, thus a USARK Accreditation Program is merely internalizing those standards and working with states and federal regulators to raise the profile of our Program and its member participants.
We believe very strongly that this is the right approach, and the best way to respond to those who would use tragic events to demonize a responsible reptile-keeping community.

Please click here to join USARK with dollar for dollar matching from Zoo Med
usark.org/join.php

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Andrew Wyatt
President USARK

A very well-worded, cooperative and relevent release. I am pleased/somewhat relieved to see that the Florida law officials reported that the law had not been followed and that the animal was improperly and unsafely kept. Such ignorance! The recognition of the role that had been played by the parents of that poor girl by authorities is, in my opinion, at least a step in the right direction.

USARK- thank you for all that you do. I've been putting it off for a bit now because of being busy with work, forgetting when I finally have a few minutes to myself, and other unacceptable excuses that I will no longer allow myself to indulge...I am joining as soon as I navigate from this page!
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Cheers,
Jessica
10.15 Ball Pythons; 8.9 Corn Snakes; 0.0.1 Green Tree Python
2.2 Jungle Carpet Pythons
6.6.1 Bci
3.0 Crazy Dogs and 2.0 cats
Some Tropical Fish
...........and growing!

USARK is very good for the hobby and they are doing some great work.

Oz
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PIJAC and USARK Member
Join the fight to protect our rights!
www.OZZYBOIDS.com

JOINED!!!!!!!! Bronze Member. Hey, is there a way to make a donation to USARK other than just the membership fee? I looked around on the site page but didn't really see where you might be able to do that.
Thanks.
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Cheers,
Jessica Gibbs
Ball Pythons; Corn Snakes; Green Tree Python; Jungle Carpet Pythons; Bci; Bcl
3.0 Crazy Dogs and 2.0 cats
Some Tropical Fish
...........and growing!

There is actually a link at the very top of the page. Just follow the link. Thanks for joining!

Oz
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PIJAC and USARK Member
Join the fight to protect our rights!
www.OZZYBOIDS.com

Ah ha! Didn't see that there.
OK, I have a tacky question: Are the donations tax-deductible? Just want to know if I should save the receipt, I am donating regardless.
Thank you!
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Cheers,
Jessica Gibbs
Ball Pythons; Corn Snakes; Green Tree Python; Jungle Carpet Pythons; Bci; Bcl
3.0 Crazy Dogs and 2.0 cats
Some Tropical Fish
...........and growing!

I agree with Jessica that this letter is very well worded. When I read it I had the sense that USARK is truly working dilegently to make it good for us as a hobby. I will be joining with the funds from my first seasons sale. Thanks for being so organized and commited to this cause.
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Dino White

www.whitediamondreptiles.com

dino@whitediamondreptiles.com

"The Sheriff’s Office further reported that the family did not have the necessary permits to handle or keep the snake, nor did they have the required caging or follow proper safety protocols as mandated under Florida State law."

It is confusing to me why would USARK put out a press release that seems to acquiesce on the points of permits and state mandated requirements before the battle is even fully joined? These far reaching mandates and laws, which will undoubtedly be invasive to snake and reptile owner’s personal rights, should not be handed over without first having a comprehensive and complete discussion. These topics should be held up and viewed in every light possible for interpretation and fact finding in order remedy some very serious problems. We should not be ceding our rights in a knee-jerk fashion, where it is very clear this situation in Florida with this poor child has nothing to do what-so-ever with the invasive species problem. It is also obvious that our opponents are using this along with any unfortunate incident to further their cause. It is clear to me that now is not the time to be giving ground and running scared in front of them and their well-oiled campaign of fear. We all feel awful about this tragedy in Florida with this child, but handing over snake and reptiles owners rights to lawmakers and government bureaucrats in an attempt to pacify the eco-fanatics and uninformed is throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Why should I, a law abiding and long term snake owner have to pay for permits and the always present taxes that go with them because someone did not secure their snake or illegally threw it on the side of the road to propagate and cause harm to the environment? If USARK advocates escape-proof housing, how does it suggest this is enforced? Should I have to have a BATF agent in my home checking the locks on my snake cages every six months - I think not. Before any snake owner joins any “USARK Accreditation Program” they should fully consider what it is they are signing up for, because it may be more than they are bargaining for and involve a lot more fees, taxes, and government intrusion in their lives and freedoms than they are willing to give away. That’s for sure.

Think about it...

if you think that what is going to be done is the same as what is going to be done, you are gravely mistaken. A permitting system is the best any of us snake keepers can expect when it comes the big 5 (retics, burms, scrubs, rocks and anacondas). With this permit system comes the responsibility to house them correctly so that the possibility of someone other than the handler cannot be harmed and with this is the fact that your caging may be inspected by a state/federal agent. While I do love owning these snakes and get great pleasure from them, nowhere in the constitution is it stated I have the right to own them.
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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!!!!!

It does protect against unlawful search and seizure and the privacy of your own home.The federal government is never more dangerous than when our desire to have it protect us blinds us to its overwhelming ability to harm us. We should not let these eco-fanatics set the adgenda and the debate. A German Sheppard can be just as deadly as a Burm, but you do not need a permit and government inspections to own one and you shouldnt need state and federal government to tell you how to own a snake. This case in Florida with the snake killing this poor child has nothing to do with invasive species, but why do you think it is being used to push the same legislation through? If USARK is starting off from the position that permits, taxes, government inspectors, and- ohh yeah, dont forget the "USARK Accreditation Program” .....this is a recipe for disaster.

If you think this is the best way to represent and defend your, my and the other persons rights to snake and reptile ownership, and this policy is the "best any of us snake keepers can expect" you are sadly mistaken.

I own a dog -- it has to be licensed -- it has to spayed/neutered or else I pay more for license fees -- updated medical records need to be filed on a regular basis to prove that it's shots are up to date.

To have as many animals that I have I need to have a permit with the city to keep them -- I pay a fee -- I am subject inspection. It's my choice to own these animals and as such I will do what needs to be done to be able to enjoy the ability to have them. In a perfect world everyone is a great pet owner -- but if that were true we wouldn't have the issues we do.
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Tosha
JET Pythons
Toshas Blog

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

Tosha,

I fail to understand why some people sound so matter of fact about paying taxes and fees to own or keep something in their own home or on their property? Having a dog & having to go and get a tag to give the state their cut of the money is not the case here. This, to me, sounds like an invasive mandate that would subject snake owners to unequaled scrutiny that other pet owners do not have (at least not for now anyway - right?). I have heard NO ONE explain how they would enforce any cage locking system without coming into your home? They dont do this for cat and dog owners do they? It shouldnt be allowed here either people. It is nobodys business what law abiding people do in their own homes, and I wouldnt be so quick to give away your freedoms and fork over tax and fee money if I were you.

What gives people like Barbra Box any more knowledge or understanding on this topic than the ordinary snake keeper? I really dont understand why the folks on here would let USARK START the negotiations from a position that permits, cage locking inspections, and fees and taxes are OK? If anyone thinks this is OK they shouldnt be representing you the average snake keeper in my opinion.

The state I live in requires me to have a permit for the majority of the animals I keep. I've never agreed with their list of animals that require a permit (red tail boas can be kept permit free, while ringneck snakes need a permit), but I abide by it because I want to be able to legally keep the animals I keep. It costs me 20 dollars per year, and that's only because I own a parrot. If it weren't for the bird, it would cost me 10 dollars per year. It's far from a perfect permitting system, but I can tell you that I have never had an agent come to my house or contact me about inspoecting my cages, and that included when I had retics and burms listed on my permit. If we're not willing to play ball, we're going to lose our rights as a whole when it comes to being able to keep these animals. I am not in agreement with any sort of "approved list" or "non approved list", but I don't think paying a few bucks a year for a state permit is too much to ask.

We merely pointed out that Florida already has laws in place, and that this man was in violation of the law. If his animal was secured in the manner already required by his state the child would still be alive.

We have never required, or suggested that it be required to have permits, registrations or inspections. We do, however, endorse caging standards, safety protocols and escape prevention plans when working with big 5, venomous and crocodilians. It is sensible, responsible and probably the only way people will be able to continue to work with these animals in the foreseeable future.

Look at the bill we have in NC... it is the most herper friendly legislation ever proposed. NO INSPECTION, NO PERMITS, NO REGISTRATION, NO FEE.

Any accreditation system would be a form of self policing and completely voluntary. We can be reactive and on the defense every time an issue comes up... or we can be proactive and protect ourselves from unfair legislation that puts us all out of business.

We make rules for ourselves or have someone who wants to destroy us makes them. Which would you rather have?
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Andrew Wyatt
President USARK