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With all this talk about laws I made it a point to get a copy of the state of Massachusetts laws on keeping reptiles, as well as a copy of my city's local ordinance on keeping reptiles.

As far as the state is concerned, I am completely within the bounds of the current laws. Now, my city's local ordinance is a bit of a gray area. It seems that for years it was completely illegal to keep any kind of reptile - ANY kind (even turtles). Then, a couple of years ago a pet store (one of the larger chains) took the city to court so that it could sell reptiles in a store it opened in the city. The pet store succeeded, as far as getting the ordinance amended. BUT, the language is so gray that I'm at somewhat of a loss interpreting it.

Here it is:

Now, are my snakes "wild" or "so-called exotic"? It just isn't defined in the ordinance. How can such vague laws & regulations get passed?

Any comments/thoughts on this?

Thanks,
- Mark
.

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>>With all this talk about laws I made it a point to get a copy of the state of Massachusetts laws on keeping reptiles, as well as a copy of my city's local ordinance on keeping reptiles.
>>
>>As far as the state is concerned, I am completely within the bounds of the current laws. Now, my city's local ordinance is a bit of a gray area. It seems that for years it was completely illegal to keep any kind of reptile - ANY kind (even turtles). Then, a couple of years ago a pet store (one of the larger chains) took the city to court so that it could sell reptiles in a store it opened in the city. The pet store succeeded, as far as getting the ordinance amended. BUT, the language is so gray that I'm at somewhat of a loss interpreting it.
>>
>>Here it is:
>>
>>
>>Now, are my snakes "wild" or "so-called exotic"? It just isn't defined in the ordinance. How can such vague laws & regulations get passed?
>>
>>Any comments/thoughts on this?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>- Mark
>>.
>>
>>-----
>>----------------------------------------------
>>My personal website: www.antegy.com
>>----------------------------------------------
>>My Kingsnake.com Picture Galleries
>>
>> - Labyrinth Burmese Python Gallery
>> - Suriname Boa Gallery
>> - Mexican Black Kingsnake Gallery
>> - Pueblan Milksnake Gallery
>> - Trinket Ratsnake Gallery
>>----------------------------------------------
>>My photography on photo.net
>>----------------------------------------------
>>Me on myspace.com

My primary comment is that I'm amazed that Burms are legal in Mass!

That having been said, the law given the "impression" that it is referring to exotic mammals . . . Though you're right, it's abbhorrent and disgusting that laws should be giving only the "impression" of what is legal and not the actual facts.
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Kitt