Reptile & Amphibian Forums

COPIED AND PASTED FRO PIJAC PET ALERT. URGENT ACTION REQUIRED!!! PYTHON BAN GOES TO FULL COMMITTEE!!!

Congressional Bill Banning Pythons Set For Full Committee Markup Session Tomorrow (July 29th) Take Action!

During the House Judiciary Subcommittee Markup Session this afternoon, NO AMENDMENTS were offered. Only a few members spoke. One felt that they did not have sufficient knowledge to formulate appropriate amendments and requested testimony from reptile experts so they would be able to educate themselves to make an informed and proper decision. The Chair mentioned that Representative Rooney would submit a proposed amendment during the Full Judiciary Committee Markup Session tomorrow, July 29. The proposal would limit the ban to Burmese and African Rock Pythons. There is no indication that exceptions for interstate movement of animals already possessed in the United States would be permitted.

The full Judiciary Committee will hold a Markup Session tomorrow July 29 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. You can watch it on the Internet by going to http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/calendar.html and clicking on "Watch Video Webcast" for July 29 under "FULL COMMITTEE."

IT IS IMPORTANT for concerned pet owners from all around the country to contact members of the FULL COMMITTEE via telephone, Fax and email to encourage them to seek expert input. Complete contact information for the full House Judiciary Committee can be found by viewing page 3 of PIJAC's July 27 PetAlert.

To contact your own Representative, and to view helpful talking points, enter your Zip Code in the 'Call Now' box or 'Take Action' link and tell your Representative to convey your concerns to their colleagues on the Judiciary Committee!

BEWARE that this sets a dangerous precedent by simply adding controversial species to the Lacey Act without hearings and better understanding of the issues. While today it might be your Burmese Python, tomorrow it might be your pet bird, turtle or fish due to a perceived "danger!"

-----
"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Where did the rock python amendment come from? I thought it was going to be only Burmese pythons?

From what I understand HSUS is pushing this entire agenda. They are the ones demanding African Rock, along with Burmese, at a minimum.
jsc
-----
"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

The justification probably is that the african rock is found rather far south in Africa, so it "might" be similarly tolerant of cooler climates. Also their is a certain similarity of appearance, which might potentially be confusing to LE.
-----
Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

Not sure what HSUS justification is, but I'm pretty sure their agenda is to ban any and all commerce, importation, and private possession/ownership of ALL animals they may deem as "WILD", through whatever means possible.

Isn't that correct?

jsc
-----
"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer