Reptile & Amphibian Forums

New York State is trying to push a bill through that will ban all boas, pythons, hots, crocs and certain monitors. This is very similar to the ordinance we stopped in Chicago last year. This Bill has passed the assembly and the senate, its currently waiting on the governor to sign off on it and make it a law. If passed January of 05 NY State can kiss the bulk of their reptiles good bye. Yes this includes your hypos, motleys, sunglows etc. There is a clause that THEY MAY grant NY residents a permit to keep any animals acquired prior to this law being enacted. However any permits THEY MAY POSSIBLLY grant are for pets only! You are not allowed to breed. But do you really want your $5000 sunglow boa you just invested in to be a pet only? How about your spider ball python? If not we need to get active and stop this!!! I urge anyone and everyone whether you’re a NY resident or not to voice their opinion and denounce this bill. I personally ship a lot of stuff into NY, I know I am not the only one, if your just starting out in business you need to think about this because if this passes this is an entire state you’ll loose the opportunity to ever do business in. I also urge everyone to spread the word to anyone and everyone they can. Contact show promoters, breeders, supply dealers hobbyists etc. Pressure these people, they have huge mailing lists they can spread the word faster then any of us. Make them realize they need to get involved soon enough their may be no one left for them to sell their cages, light bulbs etc to. Let NY know that we will not stand back and allow them to take away our rights as responsible herpers with their blanket laws. NY is one of those states the other states look up to when it comes to legislation so you can bet money on the fact if this bill passes it WILL spread like wild fire. The ordinance we fought in Chicago last year was verbatim the one passed in NYC a couple years back. So if your sitting their thinking I don’t live their so I don’t have to worry about it. There’s your proof you better worry about it.

Below is the link to the internet copy of the bill awaiting the gov’s signature.
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A02684&sh=t
The below link is to a page where you can email the Gov.
http://161.11.3.75/

To Write To The Governor:
Governor George E. Pataki
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Below is a phone number where you can all and let them know your opposition to this bill. Tell them your calling in reference to bill A02684. You’ll then be asked if your for or opposed and asked for your zip code. I called today and gave them my zip and they logged my opposition to the bill even though I am a IL resident. If your moving there give them the zip your moving to.
518-474-8390

Many of you may remember some of you may not. Last year an ordinance came through Chicago as a knee jerk reaction to monkey pox that is pretty much the same thing as the current Bill in NY waiting for the Governor to sign off. This ordinance in Chicago we stopped last year, I was told by more then one person that we would never be able to stop it. Apparently the Aldermen who sponsored the bill is a powerful person within Chicago. I was told he has been known to push ridiculous things through and make them law just out of spit for people he doesn’t like. The people I spoken to who told me we would never be able to stop him or that city wide ban, deal with him on a regular basis and have done so for years. Very best they hoped that with all our support we could get the Aldermen to at least lisen and make the ordinance somewhat sensible. Well our support did the unthinkable and we stopped him from pushing the Chicago ban on reptiles through. When I spoke to these people they made a point that they didn’t think we could win, NOT because they didn’t believe in us, they didn’t think we could win because of the people and their tactics that we were up against. They were wrong, They were in awe, all they could say was thank you and how much they appreciated what WE had done. I know they spoke for the tens of thousands of reptile people within Chicago. My point of all this is two things, number one, we can do it, we don’t have to just roll over and take it from these people. There is enough of us and when we unit we CAN change things. #2 I was told last year that these politicians wouldn’t care what anyone who didn’t live within their district thought. Well they did, whether they cared because some of them realize you or I may become a voting resident in their district, prior to the next election or because of the over whelming response we gave them, I don’t care, all I know is WE got the job done and we need to do it again for NY State.

We need to stand up and let the government know that they have over stepped their bounds. Were Americans and we have rights as private responsible citizens and I for one am tired of seeing them stripped away!
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Jason & Danica
Well, I'm off my rocker, I fell out of my tree, I've been standin' on shaky ground, There's no helping me, yeah, I can't remember my number, I can't remember your name
I can't remember all the trouble I'm in, child....... Well, I'm insane(Ratt, Im Insane)
Classic Dums frozen feeders

We as herpers must unite, and contact the the govenor, new york state resident or not! And somewhere in this forum it has been suggested that there should be a national organization of herpers that should be created...somewhat like the N.S.S (National Speleological Society) (Im shure one of us could come up with a catchy mnemonic that would fit us) Development should start, but there would have to be officals, president of such an organization, and it could not be biased towards the business end of reptile keeping, but towards the hobbiest end of the practice. Well lets get the ball rolling. Perhaps there are some local area specific herp successful herp societies that already are in existance that we can use as a successful models?

Matt

I have made this letter in response to the many reptile ban issues that I respond to. I change the names and the cities but you can get the general idea. Please feel fee to use this letter as a template if you wish, to send a letter to the Governor of NY State. I am currently addressing the letter as you read it to send out to him.
Please, we have beaten this in the past and can do it again. Unfortunatley, NY had alot of bad press with the dummy keeping the Tiger and alligator in his apartment and this has already gone very far through the legal channel. I beleive that this is the first time a State has tackled this issue, it is normally handled on a city level..... The name and address are from the last guy I sent the letter to, please change it to be current LOL

To: President: Russell Brandt
300 Slinger Road
P.O. Box 227
Slinger, WI 53086-0227

June 30, 2004

Dear Sir,
I feel compelled to contact you in regards to your pending amendment in regards to keeping reptiles and other exotics as pets. I must first give you some of my back ground and why I feel compelled to contact you. I neither live in your community or for that matter in your beautiful state. However, such legal restrictions tend to have a rippling type effect and do effect us all. You see, I am a hobbyist Herpculturists. I raise and breed several different types of snakes, including Boa Constrictor Sub-species, Corn and Kings Snakes and several Pythons species.

I am a father of two (two girls ages 17 and 13) and a husband. I am also a professional Law Enforcement Officer, I am Deputy Sheriff in Collier County FL. I own my own home and live a very responsible life. I make a good living, save for my children to go to college and I am well respected in the community. However if the legislation, that you and your members are considering, is passed in your community, I would be considered a violator of the laws in which I am sworn to up hold, if I lived in your town.

My question to you good folks would be, what is the benefit that you hope to achieve? Most legislation of this type is born of fear and misinformation. I can almost certainly be assured that your town is not crawling with thirty foot long man-eating snakes? More often then not, such legislation is because a local teenager had a Ball Python that became loose and scared someone.

The Ball Python happens to be the most common type of pet exotic snake and does not normally attain a length of more then four feet. Even some of the larger reptile species that are kept tend to be very docile and pose little to no threat to anyone. Boa Constrictors are one of the most tame snakes that can be kept (they can grow to lengths of 12 feet, but are more commonly seen at about 6’). There are more then 100 times the number of dog bites each year in the United States then there are snake bites, the number is increased again ten fold when you consider only pet or exotic snakes in the equation. I could certainly understand restrictions on venomous reptiles and even a permit type of requirement on non-venomous reptiles or other exotics. But an out right ban of these animals is of little to no use. They are a common pet that poses no danger to the public at large and they provide no complaints from noise they make (such as dogs do barking).
My concern is that you, as a law making council, are deciding on a law with out truly researching the facts. A law based on unfounded fears is of no use to anyone and provides nothing but costly enforcement and future litigation based on constitutional grounds. I would be glad to provide (via telephone, or e-mail) any needed information to truly make an informed decision on this issue.

If you have any questions until then feel free to contact me.
Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

James Hopkins
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Jim Hopkins "Hoppy"
Hopkins Holesale Herps
Hopfam1@aol.com

Heres a list of people, Ive contacted who are lending a hand by contacting their costumers and letting them know they need to get involved. I have permission from each person on here to post their names.
Bob Clark
Exotic Jungle, Jay
Mark Lucas
Larry Kenton Maryland reptile farm, Harve De Grace reptile show
Casey Hulse Nature Spirits
Ben Seigel
The Lizard King Mickey Hinkle
Chicago Herp society
Lee Watson Streamwood Reptile show
There’s a bunch more people that I have spoken to, big name breeders and businesses alike that are not on the list, that as well are contacting their costumers and anyone they can think of to oppose this bill. I will update this list in time as it is growing by the hour. Many of these people are not even from NY, so if you see these guys or talk to them let them know you appreciate them going out of their way and standing up for all of us.
Please if you are placing an order today for something tell them what’s up. The company you are placing the order with stands to loose a whole state of potential costumers. Contact your favorite supply company tell them to get involved, post this on your fav forums, contact other breeders ask them to touch base with their costumers. It doesn’t matter if your from NY or not it helps, I live in IL. To those who have already taken action THANK YOU!!!!
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Jason & Danica
Well, I'm off my rocker, I fell out of my tree, I've been standin' on shaky ground, There's no helping me, yeah, I can't remember my number, I can't remember your name
I can't remember all the trouble I'm in, child....... Well, I'm insane(Ratt, Im Insane)
Classic Dums frozen feeders

>>Heres a list of people, Ive contacted who are lending a hand by contacting their costumers and letting them know they need to get involved. I have permission from each person on here to post their names.
>>Bob Clark
>>Exotic Jungle, Jay
>>Mark Lucas
>>Larry Kenton Maryland reptile farm, Harve De Grace reptile show
>>Casey Hulse Nature Spirits
>>Ben Seigel
>>The Lizard King Mickey Hinkle
>>Chicago Herp society
>>Lee Watson Streamwood Reptile show
>>There’s a bunch more people that I have spoken to, big name breeders and businesses alike that are not on the list, that as well are contacting their costumers and anyone they can think of to oppose this bill. I will update this list in time as it is growing by the hour. Many of these people are not even from NY, so if you see these guys or talk to them let them know you appreciate them going out of their way and standing up for all of us.
>>Please if you are placing an order today for something tell them what’s up. The company you are placing the order with stands to loose a whole state of potential costumers. Contact your favorite supply company tell them to get involved, post this on your fav forums, contact other breeders ask them to touch base with their costumers. It doesn’t matter if your from NY or not it helps, I live in IL. To those who have already taken action THANK YOU!!!!
>>-----
>>Jason & Danica
>>Well, I'm off my rocker, I fell out of my tree, I've been standin' on shaky ground, There's no helping me, yeah, I can't remember my number, I can't remember your name
>>I can't remember all the trouble I'm in, child....... Well, I'm insane(Ratt, Im Insane)
>>Classic Dums frozen feeders
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Jason & Danica
Well, I'm off my rocker, I fell out of my tree, I've been standin' on shaky ground, There's no helping me, yeah, I can't remember my number, I can't remember your name
I can't remember all the trouble I'm in, child....... Well, I'm insane(Ratt, Im Insane)
Classic Dums frozen feeders

I made the call...
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www.chrisolsonreptiles.com

Heres the letter I sent in please dont get all nit picky on me over the grammer I know mine sucks, I hated english class. We dont all have to be english majors to be taken seriously.

Hi I am writing in regards to bill # A02684. I would like to oppose this bill and let you know why

I am a responsible herper(reptile owner) I have been doing this for 15yrs . I have owned anything from corn snakes(small and harmless) to 16ft 200pound Burmese pythons. I have also owned large monitors some that topped out over 5ft in length and rattlesnake and puff adders. I no longer keep any venomous animals or monitors as I have two children ages 1 and 2.5yrs. Never have I endangered the safety or health of others. safety has always been the key word with me. I have always had proper handling equipment and caging. My caging has always been costum professional built cages with locks. This caging in most cases the individual cage cost me several hundred more then the animal residing in it. I spent the extra money as I felt it was necessary as a responsible owner. Never in my 15yrs have I or anyone else been harmed by any of my reptiles. Most of the caging I currently own were purchased from a company in Buffalo NY. Ive spent thousands over the years on supplies(light bulbs, handling gear etc) with companies located in NYC. All of that money your wonderful state collected taxes on. If ths bill is enacted as law the state will loose hundreds of thousands of dollars every year in revenues, possibly millions. In times like these where the economy is not at its best neither the state nor private citizens who responsibly own and sell reptiles or products can afford a blow like this.

Also I want to point out that with my track record I don’t think your very concerned with my self and others like myself who make up the bulk within the reptile industry/hobby. Your concerned with the minority and few people who put peoples health and lives at risk with irresponsible actions. Legislation such as this doesn’t effect the people you are most concerned about. Odds are that if you are concerned with them now they are already breaking the law in some way and will continue to do so in the future whether this is passed or not. When laws like this are passed the only people they effect are responsibly law abiding, voting, citizens such as myself. In most cases the people they are directed at will go “under ground” with their irresponsible actions which only costs the state more money in time and effort that must be spent to catch them. Also if this is passed You need to be aware of the thousands of businesses that will be put in jeopardy. When the sate looses those tax revenues who will float the bill for enforcement. I am sure NY state law enforcement is stretched thin enough as is. My suggestion is this instead of taking away the rights of responsible citizens such as myself why not enact legislation that would be helpful? To the state and the public as a whole. If someone with a dangerous animal puts other citizens lives and safety at risk make mandatory stiffer penalties. Lets say someone who owns a large python or a big cat that houses the animal in a flimsy homemade cage. If this animal were to escape and bite someone The owner faces a fine of no less then $2500. Also you could make it mandatory that any animal on the dangerous animals list be implemented with a pit tag. It’s a microchip inserted under the skin of an animal about the size of a piece of rice This can be done in less then 2 minute’s by any vet. You hold a little handheld device within 10 inches of the animal and it will read a number much like the SS# every person in this nation has. That way these dangerous animals could be traced back to the owner. These are just a couple ideas that would allow you to protect your citizens without interfering with the rights of responsible people and at the same time both of these ideas would draw more revenues for your wonderful state. Stiffer fines means more money for the states law enforcement and if people were required to pit tag all dangerous animals that means more revenues for the states through the taxes collected from vets. Also once an animal is tagged their could be a $10 registration fee per animal. If there is anyway I can help please contact me. Please I urge you to rethink this bill and veto it and request the sponsors right a bill that doesn’t interfere with the rights of people such as myself.
Sincerely
Jason Sweigart
A concerned possible future resident of the great state of NY
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Jason & Danica
Well, I'm off my rocker, I fell out of my tree, I've been standin' on shaky ground, There's no helping me, yeah, I can't remember my number, I can't remember your name
I can't remember all the trouble I'm in, child....... Well, I'm insane(Ratt, Im Insane)
Classic Dums frozen feeders

Jason,

I greatly respect what you are doing by trying to drum up support for opposing this ridiculous bill. You must know that I mean absolutely no disrespect whatsoever when I mention the following:

As a medical student at an "elite" medical school in New York City, I frequently get incredulous looks from fellow classmates when they discover my passion for keeping and breeding snakes. These typically are from children of great privilege. I come from no such background. My background is very blue collar, lower-middle class, no college graduates before me. There is a stigma there, a prejudice, if you will, toward reptiles and their keepers. "Snake people," or indeed, reptile keepers in general, are often seen by those in power as stupid people. I'm sure many of you out there have experienced others' notions that reptile keepers are supposed to be loud-mouthed, heavily tatooed motorcyclists. I am in no way opposed to loud-mouthed, heavily tatooed motorcyclists myself, but this is how many people perceive our hobby. Reptile keepers, some think, are undereducated, low-income, non-voters. After all, what "civilized" people would want anything to do with something so....icky?

I therefore urge all of you to first type your emails to Governor Pataki in a word processor with spell-check before sending it. Then copy and paste the spell-checked text into the web page or email program. The more well-written the emails he receives, the more our collective cause will be taken seriously.

Again, Jason, I thank you very much for taking your time and dedicating it to this effort. Good luck to all of us.

By taking a little extra time to check what we've written, we show respect for the person we're writing to and we show respect for ourselves.

Makes a world of difference.

Bill

I've already called the number you posted to oppose the bill!
Amanda Burke
Burke Reptiles

I hate the government when they do stupid stuff like this. I (an OH resident) emailed the governer way before I saw this post.