Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Received paperwork from KY today - looks as if the ban is inevitable. Congrats. to Mr. Harrison from KYRZ for what I believe he would consider a "win". Interesting to see how few people wrote in opposition to the ammendments banning all HOTS (inc. Crotalids)!! I'd like to thank the few people who did (as they were listed) - esp. the members of the SHHS.

WE live in the state of Kentucky. We have searched the legislative records and cannot find any information on this. Do you have a link or where did you get the information from so I can see what it says exactly. Thanks!
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Matt & Nicci Turner
www.selectiveorigins.com

Kentucky is considering a statewide ban on exotics and will be voted upon June 14.

Jim Lane

Wildlife Program Coordinator

Fur & Turkey Resources

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
#1 Game Farm Road

Frankfort, KY 40601

Phone: 800-852-0942 ext. 410

Fax: 502-564-6508

Email: Jim.Lane@ky.gov

Dowd Bruton

Regional Wildlife Biologist
P.O. Box 184

Traphill, NC 29685

Phone: 336-957-5023

Email: cdbrutonnwtf@wilkes.net

Area of Responsibility: Kentucky

Link to Text: http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/301/002/082reg.htm

I am going to sound stupid, but voted on by the Fish & Wildlife Dept., right?
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Matt & Nicci Turner
www.selectiveorigins.com

...supporting this ban, that many of the zoos and institutions supporting this ban, are the same HYPOCRITES, who don't hesitate to call me when they are looking for certain species!!!!

I think the real issue here is that 99% of private collections are more diverse and contain rarer species than are held in the zoos. Of course, the truth is, most zoo keepers keep animals at home, no differently than private individuals===AND if you asked them personally, they would not support the legislation, but the AZA, HSUS and API (AND MOST BUREAUCRATS) wants NO private individuals keeping venomous animals. In some cases, I agree with them....there's a good portion of private keepers out there who have no business keeping them...but to ban them entirely is assinine!!

If there is a ban it should apply to STATE ZOOS as well as private collectors. Keepers with the monopoly and arrogance of government behind them can be the most irresponsible keepers of all. When I hear of all the various antibiotic resistant bacteria that
"got loose" on some in some internet sites because government people think they know what they are doing simply BECAUSE they are government people I would almost trust a rank amateur over a "government" institution with "hots".

Matt, I disagree with your statement that:

"I think the real issue here is that 99% of private collections are more diverse and contain rarer species than are held in the zoos."

Near or next to impossible.

Maybe more diverse due to the availability of reptiles today, but not rarer!(due to U.S.D.I regs).

For example, how many "privates" that you know have Crotalus unicolor here in the states? How about San Francisco Garters, Virgin Island boa's, Komodo Dragons, and a myriad of crocodilians?
The list goes on and on. Diverse, probably, but hardly rarer!
As you know, I am a zoo keeper and I have a private collection, but I DO NOT support ANY ban, from ANY state, that considers an out-right ban of reptiles, be it venomous or not.

Randal

Actually these "bans" on hot reptiles, reptiles in general, "assault weapons" or whatever are not bans at all. They are nothing but a legislative grant of MONOPOLY for the STATE over the animal or thing being "banned".
This BASIC TRUTH should be used against the anti herpers wherever they show their face weather the objects of their "bans" are hot or not.

..you're correct in the cases of many of those species.

Funny how people get a big head. A permit system would have been a much better option for his support....but what better way to squash the competition?...I will make it a point NOT to visit or support the particular "zoo" you may (or may not) be referring to, especially if its in "KZ". Importers and private keepers in legal states should refuse to sell animals to them as well. Lets see if they can keep up venom sales without replacement animals for the production line.

Sierra

...my friend, also is a PRIVATE KEEPER and had just moved to KY for the very reason that it was a herp friendly state. He's not in favor of the ban at all. He was simply informing me of what was going on.

NOR, do I think KRZ, was totally for this ban either but more so for a permit system. Of course, there isn't a politician alive who's going to give two rats about the handful of hot keepers. We don't constitute a significant fraction of the registered votes, therefore, its easier to ban something altogether.

That's how it is, plain and simple. Funny, how most of those getting bitten these days, don't have their own serum.....hmmm, gee, me thinks most of these bites would stay out of the press if people were better prepared to deal with the consequences.

Bullseye, Sierra. If we close our eyes and wish real hard, maybe the next snake he buys will be a paramyxovirus carrier.

Bill Huseth
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Venomous snakes---best hobby on earth!
Bill Huseth

You are right on about that. All private keepers, commercial dealers, and sellers of equipement need to boycott sales to any zoo or other institution that has in any way supported a ban. When a ban is proposed these institutions are the ones that lawmakers contact for consultation. You may loose sales but you will loose them all if you dont. A blacklist needs to be started and circulated. Seattles Woodland Park zoo was partially behind a municiple ban (that includes constrictors), they can go on the list. If this is or has happened in your area, post it so everyone knows not to sell to them.

I live in a city with a ban, so I no longer am able to keep venomous snakes. I could move, but I shouldnt have to. Once this list gets large enough here we can take it to other forums, dealers, importers, etc. I think they will see our perspective on this. Its about time that this behavior backfires on them. Its hard to run a serpentarium without any snakes or equipement. Breeders of other exotics may get behind this as well since they are often lumped in with these laws.

The deadline is Tuesday June, 14th with a possible 30 day extension. The contact number is 1-800-372-7181. Ask that your comments go to the Reg. Regulation Committee and specify to each of the eight congressman. The hearing is
6-14 at the Franfort, Ky Annex .

I think it is important to mention that a permit system is acceptable while a ban is not.