Reptile & Amphibian Forums

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2005/Bills/Senate/HTML/S1032v1.html

Another one bites the dust.

Al
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Save a Rattlesnake...Skin a Sweetwater Resident!

It's a permiting system, not a ban.

Phillip Higgins

It's the same piece of legislation that the API proposes across the country.

I see it says permits can be acquired, but that no new animals will be allowed after the bill passes. If I'm reading it right, the permits seem pretty silly as they will be irrelevant as the animals in-state die from whatever causes until there are none left.

Maybe I'm missing something, but it looks like NC just joined the ranks of the "cold" states.

Doug T

I asked about this in the Law Forum, and apparently, this is simply a bill (the Garwood bill) that has NOT be approved yet and has not gone before any legislative body yet. If there are enough keepers in NC that oppose this bill, perhaps it can be killed before it becomes law.

I inquired via private email if there's anything that non-residents of NC can do to voice opposition, and am still awaiting a response.

Of course, if herpers in NC are like they are in the rest of the country, they'll probably just sit on their hands and whine on this forum about oppressive laws...They won't really do anything about any legislation because they're too busy bickering amongst themselves about venomoids and other nonsense....Meanwhile, the REALLY IMPORTANT stuff (like venomous bans that affect us all) are passed and we all suffer and wonder what happened....

Pardon the cynical overtones, but I believe the majority of the hot-keeping community has proven itself just quite apathetic enough not to care. If anyone disagrees, I'd love to hear it.

-AzAtrox

Y'all need to just read the first three paragraphs under the title INTENT. If, after digesting that, you still feel this is not meant to be a ban on private possession of dangerous animals, you have a different understanding of the English language than I do.

~~Greg~~

Sure the bill states you can get a permit...too bad you also have to get 100,000 dollars in liability insurance to boot.

A lot of people think that exotics are illegal in GA, however, from my understanding, one can get a permit to keep exotics, however they need to get some ridiculous amount of liability insurance as well, which effectively makes it impossible for anyone other than millionaires and zoos to acquire exotic hots.

Anybody know the statistics of dog bites and deaths in North Carolina that can be shared with those that wish to protect us? We then can compare that to each animal listed above for comparative numbers. To my knowledge Gilas and Beaded lizards have never been responsiible for a death--what about the others? You constantly see reports of people/kids being attacked and killed by dogs on the news never a Gila or monitor. Why not make dogs illegal? It would be interesting to post and everybody should write to block this bill. Does someones have addresses they can post? I saw something in the press sometime back that the animal responsible for the most human deaths in the U.S. is the deer, mostly from car accidents. Seems like a waste of yet more tax dollars let's fight it and write to block any new bills.

I don't feel like looking it up right now, but I recall reading of one or two fatalities..from captive lizards, all involving alcohol. To the best of my knowledge, there have been no fatalities to sober humans from beadeds or gilas.

~~Greg~~

I can't find any known fatalities. Please take time to check your records.

Greg posted some articles for me a few years ago. I don't know the sites off hand, either.

Keep that crap out of South Carolina please!!!! Sean M. Kelly

Venomous reptiles...page 62. "There have been several reports of fatal gila-monster bites, but only one is accompanied by adequate medical details. The victim in this case was a carnival barker with a bad heart and a history of alcoholism and drug addiction. In two other fairly well-authenticated fatal cases, highly inebriated individuals set out to test the venomous powers of the gila monster in the most simple and direct way possible--by sticking a finger within reach of its jaws."

I have read a lot of herp books..I have several shelves of them now, & have read all of them. I am about to turn 60, & have been studying snakes & snakebite since I was nine. I have worked with venomous snakes on a professional basis, as well as keeping a private collection for over thirty years, using the snakes in lectures on snakes and snakebite. Bear this in mind the next time you have doubts about anything I post up, please.

~~Greg~~
The Venomous Snakes of Florida

Greg....

I never realized that you were so OLD!!!!! That makes me feel young all over again! Thanks!

-AzAtrox

Greg the intention was not to insult but to find some solid information. Did the person actually die from the bite/venom or from the shock of the bite (heart attack as a result of his poor health and being startled by the pain)? Sounds questionable, you tell me. I think all of us should defend our right to our own personal interests in this case reptile keeping and breeding. If they pass this bill here in NC it will undoubtably be used again in another state--we all lose. All of us should write/email our legislature and at least try to have an impact. Can anybody tell me if they have followed this route and had any success? What was said, written or sent? Please post. I'll look for Minton's book locally. Thanks, TK

I think we need to stop this before it gets past. It is a permit system............but not for any normal herper.Also allows your " city or county may adopt an ordinance governing inherently dangerous animals that is more restrictive than this Article. Such an ordinance may apply to animals not covered by this Article," So anyone who would like to call or e-mail a North Carolina Senator here is a list for you. Please ANYONE that wants to help PLEASE write or call.Your state could be next!THANK YOU !!!
Senator James Forrester (Rep)
Joint Republican Caucus Leader
2005-2006 Session
(919) 715-3050
Email: Jamesf@ncleg.net
District: 41
Counties Represented: Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln

Senator Austin M. Allran (Rep), Phone: (919) 733-5876, Email: Austina@ncleg.net
Counties Represented: Catawba, Iredell.
Senator Tom Apodaca (Rep), Deputy Republican Leader, Phone: (919) 733-5745, Email: Toma@ncleg.net.
Counties Represented: Buncombe, Henderson, Polk
Senator Phil Berger (Rep), Phone: (919) 733-5708, Email: philbe@ncleg.net
Counties Represented: Guilford, Rockingham

Senator Stan Bingham (Rep), Phone: (919) 733-5665, Email: stanb@ncleg.net.
Counties Represented: Davidson, Guilford
Senator Harris Blake (Rep), Phone: (919) 733-4809, Email: Harrisb@ncleg.net
Counties Represented: Harnett, Moore
Senator Andrew C. Brock (Rep); Phone: (919) 715-0690, Email: Andrewb@ncleg.net.
Counties Represented: Davie, Rowan

Senator Harry Brown (Rep), Phone: (919) 715-3034, Email: Harryb@ncleg.net
Counties Represented: Jones, Onslow
Senator Don East (Rep), Phone: (919) 733-5743, Email: Done@ncleg.net.
Counties Represented: Alleghany, Stokes, Surry, Yadkin
Senator John A. Garwood (Rep), Phone: (919) 733-5742, Email: Johnga@ncleg.net
Counties Represented: Alexander, Ashe, Watauga, Wilkes

Senator W. Edward (Eddie) Goodall (Rep), Phone: (919) 733-7659, Email: Eddieg@ncleg.net
Counties Represented: Mecklenburg, Union
Senator Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr. (Rep), Phone: (919) 733-7223, Email: Fletcherh@ncleg.net
Counties Represented: Cabarrus, Iredell
Senator David W. Hoyle (Dem), Phone: (919) 733-5734, Email: Davidh@ncleg.net
Counties Represented: Gaston

Senator Neal Hunt (Rep), Phone: (919) 733-5850, Email: Nealh@ncleg.net
Counties Represented: Wake
Senator Jim Jacumin (Rep), Phone: (919) 715-7823, Email: Jimja@ncleg.net
Counties Represented: Burke, Caldwell
Senator Robert Pittenger (Rep), Phone: (919) 733-5655, Email: Robertp@ncleg.net
Counties Represented: Mecklenburg

Senator Keith Presnell (Rep), phone: (919) 733-3460, Email: Keithp@ncleg.net
Counties Represented: Avery, Haywood, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Yancey
Senator Fred Smith (Rep), Phone: (919) 733-5748, Email: Freds@ncleg.net
Counties Represented: Johnston, Wayne
Senator Richard Stevens (Rep), Phone: (919) 733-5653, Email: Richards@ncleg.net
Counties Represented: Wake

Senator Scott Thomas (Dem), Phone: (919) 733-6275, Email: scottt@ncleg.net
Counties Represented: Carteret, Craven, Pamlico
Senator Jerry W. Tillman (Rep), Phone: (919) 733-5870, Email: Jerryt@ncleg.net
Counties Represented: Montgomery, Randolph
Senator Hugh Webster (Rep), Phone: (919) 715-0706, Email: Hughw@ncleg.net
Counties Represented: Alamance, Caswell