Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Stated: "Some reptiles may also be banned, like iguanas and pythons over four-feet long."

okkkkaaaaay, a real big "huh?" Just because there is a possibility that an iguana might grow longer than 4 feet? How would a 4 foot iguana be considered more dangerous than a domesticated dog with an attitude?
I still can not find a copy of this ordinace proposal, are they hiding it on everyone?
Is today's society going off the wall, lost their minds, with these banning laws? Are we seeing a trend going from state to state, city to city?

Some Exotic Animals May Be Outlawed In Idaho Falls
April 20, 2004
An Idaho Falls city ordinance is being re-written. And it may affect your pet.

Some exotic animals may be outlawed. That has some folks worried they may have to get rid of pets they love.

There's a lot of confusion about the wording of the ordinance.

"One section says I'm exempt. Another section says I'm illegal. So, I really don't know. It's too vague," says Scott Bishop, owns macaw.

"Macaws are allowed in this ordinance and I feel really bad when it's been represented to people that they can't have their wonderful pets," says Ida Hardcastle, city council member.

Hardcastle says Idaho Falls already has an exotic pet law, but it's not legally enforceable, so, it's being defined better.

Specific animals are listed. And some people are wondering if they can keep their ant farms, parrots and gerbils.

"None of those things are banned. They are not dangerous animals," says Hardcastle.

There is debate about what exactly 'is' a 'dangerous animal.' Venomous spiders and snakes are on the list.

"A tarantula has never maimed anybody. On record, there is no deaths linked to a tarantula bite. So, what's the big deal about a tarantula?" says one pet-owner.

But, everyone does agree on one thing:

"My personal opinion is there's a lot more things to worry about than trying to kick all the exotic pets out of town."

"The police have some really important things to do in the community and it is not coming into your home and searching for these animals. We don't have gerbil police or any of those kind of things."

Some reptiles may also be banned, like iguanas and pythons over four-feet long.

The exotic animal ordinance is still in draft stage. It's not on the city council agenda for Thursday night. But, it could be talked about near the end of next month.

http://www.localnews8.com/home/692522.html

To Vendors of Cages and supplies:

If banning laws are allowed to take effect in cities and states, there is a potential of you going out of business.

Now is the time to keep an eye on state legislators, and to start coming together with other exotic owners nationwide.

If we don't, the iguana, or the reptile you have now, will be confiscated by the authorities and put to death, or worse, placed into a center with inappropriate facilities, to properly care for them.

For the love of your iguana, for the love of your reptile, for the love of your exotic.

http://www.PhoenixExotics.org

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Phoenix_Exotics/

It is being pushed by animal rights groups. They are heart breaking to good owners and only a little annoying to the bad owners. They also don't work. Look at NYC!!!! Most of the city does not know there is a ban. AND... the carnivals give out iguanas as prizes in a city where ownership is not legal.

Write a letter to the editor and bring attention to WHO and the fact that these laws don't work.

Cindy

I just finished up the letter, and faxed it to the newspapers and the people trying to push this bill. I hope it helps.