Reptile & Amphibian Forums

BUSHNELL -- Robert Keszey has been dealing with exotic reptiles for almost 30 years, but his livelihood is now at risk.

That's because lawmakers unanimously passed legislation that would prohibit importing and personal pet ownership of seven non-native reptiles, including many species of pythons.

Keszey, who co-owns Glades Herp Farm, is now pinning his hopes on Gov. Charlie Crist's veto pen.

“We're asking Charlie Crist to look at this bill with open eyes, without the blinders on, without what I call, what everybody in the industry calls junk science,” Keszey said.

Keszey said the cold snap killed off most of the pythons in the wild, and does not believe they pose an environmental risk.

Lawmakers see it differently, and said they're invasive and damaging Florida's Everglades.

"This environmental damage is compounded by a public safety risk; these carnivorous snakes are large enough to kill a person, all too sadly demonstrated when one took the life of a small Florida child last year. This bill is really a no-brainer," wrote State Sen. Eleanor Sobel, who sponsored the bill.

Keszey argues the concern has been overblown.

“A child gets killed by a python here in Sumter County, and all of the sudden it's the python's fault. It's the reptile people's fault,” Keszey said. “It's not the parents' fault?”

People who work in the reptile industry said this proposed ban would in effect drive the ownership of these snakes underground.

“It will have an effect on people," Keszey said. "Not everyone is going to get scared. The love for the animal is greater than the fear for some people and that's going to push it underground.”

If Gov. Crist signs the bill, it would go into effect July 1.

Current owners of the seven species of reptiles would still be allowed to keep their pets with proper permits.

The mother and live-in boyfriend of the the girl killed in Sumter County are expected in court for a pretrial hearing next week.
Is Proposed Python Ban Overblown Due To Toddler’s Death?

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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
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Like I said earlier on the Burm forum...

"Well then, Governor Crist zigged when he should have zagged. How's Independent Candidate Crist going to get all those Independent voters, when most Herpers are true independents, sick of both Republicans and Democrats?
Somebody should send an urgent communication to Governor Crist informing him it's not too late to change his mind, if he is truly interested in that Senate seat. The ball is in his court.
I AM serious here.
jsc"

Crist MUST be made to understand his Senate hopes are a waste of time if he signs that bill. Let him know we WILL support him if he does NOT sign the bill.

Get on the horn. Email the guy. Offer campaign help and financial aid. Hold your nose, if you have to. Just do it!

It is NOT too late for him to change his mind. I don't care if he wrote the damned thing. Stranger things have happened in politics. People do change parties for instance. If that isn't a 180, I don't know what is.

Now is NOT the time to get pessimistic and throw in the towel. I'm telling you, if this thing passes it's nothing but the keystone precedent they're looking for to bulldoze their Lacy agenda through!

I might have been born at night, but I wasn't born last night.

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

JUST GOT THIS FROM GOVERNOR CRIST...APPARENTLY HE IS LISTENING. THERE IS CONTACT INFO FOR ALL TO USE...

Thank you for contacting Governor Charlie Crist

Governor Charlie Crist

Thank you for contacting Governor Charlie Crist and sharing your opinion
about House Bill 709 / Senate Bill 318. The Governor appreciates your
views and asked me to respond on his behalf.

Governor Crist wants to know how Floridians feel about the many critical
issues we face and appreciates your taking the time to share your views
with him. You have the opportunity to influence legislation by
contacting your local legislative delegation. You may wish to write to
your senator or representative. The Division of Legislative Information
Services is a helpful resource for information on legislation. That
office can be contacted in writing at 111 West Madison Street,
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1400 or by calling toll-free (800) 342-1827.
Those with internet access can find contact information for their
legislators and track bills as they proceed through the legislative
process at www.leg.state.fl.us.

The Executive Office of the Governor follows all bills as they move
through the legislative process. Generally, Governor Crist does not
take a position on a specific bill until it has been adopted by the
Legislature and presented for his action, as bills can be amended
substantially during the legislative process. Please be assured, the
concerns and opinions of Floridians like yourself are presented to the
Governor and weigh into his decision on whether or not to sign a bill.

Thank you again for taking the time to write to Governor Crist. Your
thoughts are very important to him. For information about the
Governor's initiatives and to subscribe to his weekly "Notes from the
Capitol" newsletter, please visit www.flgov.com and click on "Subscribe
to Notes from the Capitol."

Sincerely,

Warren Davis
Office of Citizen Services
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

John, that sounds like a form letter to you.

"This bill is really a no-brainer," wrote State Sen. Eleanor Sobel, who sponsored the bill. "

Which means Sobel has no brain?

I know it is a form letter. Don't think that matters at this point. As goes Florida, so goes the country. I'm telling everyone that will listen -- this will be the keystone to their argument for the Lacy listing. Fooled me once, shame on you. Fooled me twice, shame on me.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

This opinion post on the Burm forum from Tom Crutchfield seems to make my case. This simply ISN'T NOTHING to be worried about!

"Once the ROC permit passed that virtually destroyed most markets in Florida for all ROC herps then and there because almost no one was willing to pay $100 and jump through the hoops of obtainining the permit anyway. No more were they being sold as personal pets even last year. As more regs. are passed more potential customers are lost. Just another way of shutting all herp keeping down....
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Tom Crutchfield"

What Tom has said makes my case as to the true motives of those behind this legislation. His opinion is qualified and respected.

As Tom has said, they have already killed the Florida "Pet" trade with these animals, through the ROC statutes in place now. Isn't that who proponents have been blaming all this time...the disgruntled pet owners? Why then, would they want this additional prohibitive legislation? It seems unnecessary, other than to lay the foundation for a National ban through Lacy Regulation Rule Changes. If you don't see their methodology of building a case on flawed logic and then adding more flawed logic to it, you're not paying attention.

If this goes through, then it's just a simple mater with a stroke of the pen by the justification in their minds!

The handwriting is on the wall. Time to call out the Graffiti Police.

jsc

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

It's the reptile people's fault,” Keszey said. “It's not the parents' fault?”

Well let's see now....depends on just who was negligent, doesn't it? Pet owner failed to secure python, child was put to bed as usual. Looks to me like the snake owner is at fault. Not really room for a lot of debate there.

Of course the snake's owner is the live-in boyfriend of the dead toddler's mother which adds another wrinkle to this unfortunate tale.

Sad. Poor kid. Stupid adult.

That statement asks the question -- how is that logic possible, to blame the reptile industry and the Python, as being responsible for the actions of irresponsible parents/people?
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

If that was the intended meaning then it wasn't well worded.

I didn't write it.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

for the translation.

I think the quote was intended to be sarcastic...like "why wasn't it the parents fault?"

I still believe a proper autopsy would have shown that the child was killed first, then the bites were inflicted. And a blanket is always a very effective top for an aquarium...yeah, sure.