Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The bill to ban exotics, including Snakes, is one step away from being put in place in New York State. All the governor has to do is sign it.

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=613489,613489

Check the herp law forum for more and act now by contacting Governor Pataki. Even if you aren't in NY state, it still helps. We need action now. http://www.state.ny.us/governor/

It's too bad most of these laws are based on old feelings about snakes and such...all emotion, but no real information.
However...
We who post here, need to realize our posts are out here for the entire world to see. It does'nt help our cause that pictures are posted of large snakes eating cute l'il bunnies, and fluffy rats. Animal lovers will just use that against us.
Please sont say that wont happen. Most animal laws are instigated through the animal rights groups.They have money and the means to push legislation through.
Please think twice before posting a pic of your burm or retic or rtb etc, eating.
Here is a scenario for you. New legislation makes keeping snakes legal, but not the food. Or not able to buy food. You get the picture.
Sort of like keeping your guns, but making the ammo illegal.
Dont think for a moment it cant happen. I spend a lot of time working against the animal rights groups. Anything they can use they will...and I have no doubt they would use the feeding aspect as animal cruelty.
Have'nt other countries already done this?
Ok...I'll step down from my soapbox now...lol

I would be willing to bet that if animal rights groups were to attempt to outlaw the feeding of rodents to reptiles, it would be a more subtile attempt to cripple the reptile trade as a whole. Like you said, they will try anything to achieve their aims.

The issue they are having is not animal cruelty for the rodents being used as food, but rather the threat that they think certain reptiles pose to humans trying to keep them as pets.

I would have no objections to a law which required permits for people who wanted a Burm, a Retic, an Anaconda, or other big snakes. This isn't because I'm worried about the snakes killing innocent people -- it's because I'm worried about the animals.

I see nothing wrong with saying "before you buy this snake, you need to have a license which says that (a) you know that s/he is going to get really large; (b) you have adequate housing for your snake; (c) you understand how to feed this snake safely; (d) you know what's involved in caring for this snake and you are capable of providing that level of care." At the very least, this might result in a few less Burmese pythons being euthanized or put up for adoption when they get past 10 feet... and would mean less snakes suffering from the incompetence of their owners.

Right now I'm keeping my baby Burm with a friend in Boston because she's illegal in the five boroughs ... and soon will probably be illegal in New York state. I would gladly pay a licensing fee for her, and would gladly attend a class on Responsible Care of Large Reptiles.

Unfortunately, it's easier for politicians to cater to hysterical reptile-phobes than put laws in place which penalize idiots and recognize responsible pet owners.

...that a python can get loose and everyone is so quick to put a ban on all exotic pets so something like this doesn't hapen again. And they'll really enforce it because snakes are so dangerous but...the irresponsible jacka-- who drives drunk, gets into an accident and kills innocent people has rights and if one little thing is overlooked in the trial, gets off free even though he was clearly guilty! Or the pedophile who doesn't have enough evidence against him gets released then rapes a little kid! Or the spouse abuser or the crooked CEO who ruins thousands of peoples lives and lives like a king. But a snakes gets loose and even found soon causes a ban. Man, we had better be real careful in how we care for our animals or we won't even be able to see them in a zoo. Doesn't matter that there are actually snakes native to America that actually belong outside, live around our houses. People kill themselves quicker with cigarettes and their worried about captive snakes! Sometimes I can't stand people!
-----
DZ
1.0.0 Burm, Moses
0.0.2 Ball, Chico & Chewy (rescue, many scars)
0.2.0 Cats, Merideth & Hannah
1.0.0 Black Chow, Pivo RIP Oct 23
Lotsa fish
1.4.0 Rats
0.2.0 Humans (a little obnoxious though)

I'm with you...I have a sign that reads...
The more people I meet, the more I love my dog.
I do understand the gist of the law at hand...however...
What we need to realize is, it is not always politicians that come up with these ideas.It's called lobbying.
With this particular law, maybe the animal rights lobby is not behind it. But if the law fails, they might be behind the next attempt. Such as banning of feeding rodents, or using the excuse that bringing in rodents, dead or alive is not good.
We must be wary of any attempt to kill our hobby.
If the all encompassing law of banning reptiles does'nt work, maybe a back door attempt will.
Dont like the law thats proposed. Use the power of the pen.
Politicians dont like 5000 or so letters dumped on their desks.
I fight these fights often in the sporting world, particularly hunting.There have been many attempts to ban the sport.
Outlawing the use of dogs, bait, certain ammo, certain guns.
The problem is, there are more against a certain activity, than those that are involved.
They are also more organized. All we can do is continue to fight.
And again, let's use common sense. We all know what a big constrictor feeding looks like. No need to post to post a pic of it happening.
Remember...the entire world is reading these forums...not just you and I.