Reptile & Amphibian Forums

That's it...my town have made a step further toward intolerance and ignorance...they pass a decree forbiding the posession of domestic snake! Grrr ... I was thinking about writing a letter to our local newspaper or starting a petition, but i'm not sure of the usefulness of these thing, snake owner are not legion and most people say yuck when they hear you have one...and beside it identify me as a snake owner. I intent to keep my snake anyway. Anybody had similar experience with that kind of nonsense ?

Mizar

Fortuneatley you own a nerodia! Here in BC, Thamnophis and almost all other wildlife is also protected. I'm not sure but I think everyone has rights except the individual or natural resources are for everyone except the citizens.
Since this act seems so specific it does appear to be an attempt to protect rather than restrict. If you have a local Herp Society they may be able to explain more as to what the intent is.
In the meantime, breathe, deep, slow breaths.
Michael

If only it was to protect wildlife it would be ok. But no this is to simply restrict the ownership of snakes. it all start with the guy who have the contract of getting loose cat and dog (dont know the name of the job in english). That guy was call once to get a snake that some people cant care for anymore and he was biten by the snake so he complain and made pressure on the town council arguing that snake are dangerous and mean. So the "law" was passed and no snake anymore... What's the most shocking is that that guy breed german shepperd (who in my opinion are much more dangerous than python or Nerodia !). Anyway...i'll do as you say...take long deep breath....

By the way, in a year, how many kids get to hospital badly maim by a snake ??? and by a dog ??? i guess that if they look at this statistic, its not the snake that would be banned.

Mizar

If it's strictly to prohibit dangerous animals, it has no foundation and cannot stand up in court. The "dogcatcher" (Animal Control Officer)needs to get another job or at least become more responsible to his position. However, if your town is having trouble with ferral garter snake packs, perhaps all the people in town that have pet worms lobbied the government to pass this law! It would explain a lot, if the citizens in your town have worms!!
Michael