Reptile & Amphibian Forums

GRAND FORKS HERALD (N Dakota) 15 March 05 Senate endorses ban on ownership of poisonous snakes
Bismark, N.D. (AP): North Dakotans shouldn't be allowed to keep poisonous snakes unless they have a license from the state veterinarian, the state Senate decided.
The legislation was introduced after an incident in Bismarck last summer, in which two men used the Internet to acquire four exotic, poisonous snakes, which they kept in their apartment and took around to show off.
"People were possessing, in an unsafe way, very seriously venomous snakes, for which there is no antivenom available in this state," said Sen. Connie Triplett, D-Grand Forks. "If someone had been bitten, they would have died."
The new law bans possession of poisonous snakes unless the handler is licensed, has demonstrated he or she knows how to handle snakes, and is using them for educational purposes.
A violation would be a misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. The legislation also bars releasing a poisonous snake.
Senators voted 46-0 on Tuesday to approve the bill. It now returns to the House, which earlier approved an almost identical version of the measure.
Senate endorses ban on ownership of poisonous snakes

"Senators voted 46-0 on Tuesday to approve the bill. It now returns to the House, which earlier approved an almost identical version of the measure."

This gives everyone an idea of how legislators feel about this hobby. If there were not some very strong people fighting for the privelage of the serious keeper to keep...this would have been a complete ban. Period.

The only hope for the serious keeper, is to individually police each other and weed out those that are obviously not qualified!
Of those their are many!
-----
It's what you learn AFTER you know it all that counts!

Terry Phillip
Curator of Reptiles
Black Hills Reptile Gardens
Rapid City, SD.

www.reptilegardens.com

Hi Terry:

Yes, those points were not lost on me. It really shows us how united they are against the keeping of HOT Snakes by the general public. I found out if you point out people are being careless or even reckless, then you're the "Bad Guy" and kicked around.
Hell, we can't even agree and take a stand that "Venomoiding" a snake is a bad thing.

The State lawmakers will end up settling that along with the privalage of keeping hots.

Al
-----
Save a Rattlesnake...Skin a Sweetwater resident alive!

well Al.,
you know how I feel about all that. If you/I/we have to be bad guys in order to enjoy what we do responsibly....then so be it. I love new fresh blood (young people) in the hobby/profession, but if it's not the right blood type than I am not that supportive.
-----
It's what you learn AFTER you know it all that counts!

Terry Phillip
Curator of Reptiles
Black Hills Reptile Gardens
Rapid City, SD.

www.reptilegardens.com

Strangely, I find myself in agreement with you TA (the date should likely be made a national holliday).(lol)

I have been saying for the last thirty years that if we don't police ourselves...the state will.

Just the other day I was admonishing yet another 'Bright Light' who was thinking about keping the Coral that he had caught. In Fla of course there are license requirements-and this idiot didn't want to do the thousand hours or pay the $100.

The good news is that the coral is back where he belongs.

Frank
-----
"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Is this what the future holds for all of us who do what we so love to do,it only takes a few iresponsible individules who screw up to get theses laws put in place, i take the responsibilty of my actions in keeping snakes, i know the outcome if i get taged, but i do all i can to keep my family and the public out of this, i have a secure room,locked cages and dont go around bragging that i have snakes, bottom line I dont think i need someone telling me what i can or cannot do as long as i donot endanger anyone els! just my take on this issue.atrox182 ( If we dont get organized on this issue we are gona be common criminals for doing what we are so passionate about doing )