Reptile & Amphibian Forums

There is a bill submitted which is now in committee which will severly prohibit the ownership of specific types of herps and exotic pets. The bill introduced by Sen. Thomas of Greenville, SC will prohibit ownership if it passes after July 1, 2006 and require those who do own before this date to register and pay a licensing fee of $50 per herp or animal and also carry liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 per animal or incident. This is very serious and we have to join forces to prevent this bill from getting out of committee. We have set up a discussion group where we can get together and pool our resources and do some research in order to not only get the word out but get the bill killed in committee. If you would like details or would like to get involved, please e-mail me and I will send you the link so you can read the bill (SC bill 959) and also a link of the Senator's who sit on this committee. E-mail me at Lv2fishgal@aol.com.

http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/bills/959.htm
Bill 959

You can see by clicking on this link and reading this proposed bill that herp and exotic owners will be in big trouble if this passes. I think it all came about from someone who was bitten by a cobra in Laurens County and had to be flown to Florida for the anti-venom. We need to nip this bill in the bud before it is too late.

I agree we need to get rid of this as fast as possible and we need as much help as we can get. I would not know what to do with out my animals lol. So please any way i can help please let me know

First off i don't live in SC. But I believe this bill has its pros and alot of cons. I don't think its a bad idea to register your animals or even have identified by markings, photo ro even a chip. This I believe would help herp hobbyist and help punish those who abandon their herps. But paying for permit and insurance, thats a bit much. Is there such a thing as herp insurance? What about so called domesticated dogs and cats, Iis there insurance for them too. I was once bitten by a collie when I was 7. The owner left the gate open, then the collie ran out the gate bit me chased his tail then ran back in the house. I wonder if they had to keep insurance for 100,000 dollars per animal or incident. I do support the fact venomous animals do not belong in homes, only zoos or institutions, people liscensed to keep and care for them. And what about true dwarf retics and burms, it 6Ft fully grown I see how they are potentially dangerous. This bill was created by people how fear animals and things they don't know, but I believe the irresponible should be punished. It is important that you fight these bill or at the very least make those lawmakers do their research and revise that bill.

Good Luck to you all in South Carolina.

I contacted all of my local reps and sen...as well as anyone i have contacts with. I am going to talk to a local firm next week...as well as a couple other people who sit throughout the senate.