Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Almost half this forum is about it. So let me ask a few questions. When I signed the NY petition to try to stop the ban there were only 200 and something names on it. Why is that? It took me 3 minutes to go to the link and sign the thing and I'm not even from NY! And lets be honest, most people would keep hots anyway, regardless of any laws. Tons of people in states where they are prohibited keep them anyway. Any new laws would just drive it underground and create a black(er) market. Everybody is quick to acknowledge the fact that they will be outlawed eventually and very quick to acknowledge the fact that there is no organization in the hot society to do anything about it. So we stand by and watch our rights vanish like a fart in the wind? With all the complaing, how hard would it really be to walk the walk? I don't even keep any hots, but I'd like to. By the time I feel I'm ready I might not have the option anymore and that kinda of pisses me off.

I have posted where Kansas is proposing bans on venomous and large constrictors as well as exotic animals. I have very little faith in petitions having trying to do so in other states in other years due to what you are saying EXACTLY ! But let's examine why people don't want to sign petitions : One BIG reason is that they think they are putting a foot in the door to be looked at by wildlife, city codes ( if living in city/township). The next BIG reason is insurance ! While I have my hots in an outbulding under lock and key, this was MANDATORY by my homeowners policy. In fact other than a few turtles and species of lizards, it WAS suggested that all reptiles be not in the home and my insurance company is one of the largest of the midwest. NOW they could of told me that they WOULD NOT even carry me on homeowners as other large companies did if known that i kept what i do. How about health or life insurance policies. I know of at least 3 hot bites that the insured wasn't paid out because of the knowledge that of keeping of hots. Try to get coverage at decent price ( if you even can ) after a $30,000 paid out claim for a venomous snake bite. The last state that I lived in had the clause of having to report the keeping of venomous and now large boids and pythons to the local law enforcement agency where you live. While I thought for awhile that this was a very good idea, I found out the reason/s. It was for ( at least suppose to be the reasons ) emergency medical, fire departments, and other agencies including natural disaster responders. But wait, several of my friends said that they were told there might be " hesitaion " on executing such a response if the known home had venomous and other exotics of size. I'm not ( as they also said ) saying the agencies were serious. But there IS a little concern here when you hear of that even if it is said in jest. I was told the same thing where I live because everyone knows that i have venomous including law enforcement, fire department ( in the country we all have a all volunteer fire department )and wildlife. I don't know if this would make for a good lawsuit or not if they didn't respond or in a timely manner, but I keep coming up if the condition arises that by keeping certain animals, it may put someone in harm or jeopardy themsevles by trying to save you or your dwelling ?

Some very good points. You run into the same problems with some breeds of dogs as well. And we've all heard the dog vs. venomous debate, and I have read articles talking about the ban of pitbulls and other "dangerous breeds." But nothing comes of it. When it comes to man's best friend people line up and fight. The problem with the hot keepers is half seem so full of thier own machismo they just don't care. They're too caught up impressing thier friends or the guy in the bar stool next to them that any legal recourse is of no concern. The other half are responsible professionals that want nothing to do with the other half due to the bad name they bring on them. Hot keepers know the risks they take. Whetehr it be the risk of a bite or home owners insurance issues or whatever. The fact that they still choose to keep hots says they don't care. It's a risk they are willing to take and that is thier right. Put a stop to cigarette sales tomorrow and see what kind of petitions and lawsuits start flying around.

While I understand your point, some of us probably wouldn't bother with an internet petition, because we know it's unreasonable to expect people to take it sersiously. Like you said, you're not even from NY and you were able to sign it. I don't take internet polls/petitions seriously, why would I expect somone else to.