U.S. set to approve python ban

[Wild West Reptile]

I wrote several letters. I tried soapboxing this issue on here with Laney, Marcia and Kelli but I didn't see a real big response as I did on other forums. Like I said before, just because this was a proposed ban on constrictors, that doesn't mean the rest of you who only keep geckos should have sat on your rear end and let the "snake people" write letters. This WILL eventually trickle down to the geckos and who knows where it will stop. If theres any good that comes from this ban, maybe it will open other reptile keepers eyes and make them take a stand with the rest of us. It will take effort from everybody associated with any type of reptile to hopefully stop the government madness.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Take a look at this well written report. Much of this information was used in USARK's efforts to provide legitimate documentation to argue on the behalf of the reptile keepers, breeders, and other businesses and how legislation of this nature would impact the industry. Agree with it or not, it is VERY compelling when you at least take a look at the tables and those figures:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/oira_1018/1018_04182011-3.pdf

I think where the biggest problem lies (other than government and special interest groups' covert agendas) is most of the people here on this forum are reptile keepers, and don't see how this could have any impact on them individually. Being apathetic in regard to a hit in the industry such as this will sooner than later trickle down to what we are allowed to keep as pets, and what we are not.

 

[Wild West Reptile]

That's a great read Marcia. Thanks for sharing that.

 

[KelliH]

What scares me is that now it will be against the law to ship any of these large snakes across state lines. We all know that some people are going to do it anyway, and what might happen when it becomes known by the government that these animals are still being shipped across state lines in violation of the law? Well, the government might just tell Fed Ex, UPS, etc. that they will be held responsible if any "accidents" happen, and then the shipping companies might just decide they don't want to allow ANY reptile shipments at all.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

GREAT point, Kelli. This is something we all need to realize.

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

Kelli, that is the same point I was making with my wife a few minutes ago. This is a HUGE hit on reptiles and amphibians as a whole. It is only a matter of time before this hobby as we know it becomes something of a past and only spoken of.

 

[Wild West Reptile]

What scares me is that now it will be against the law to ship any of these large snakes across state lines. We all know that some people are going to do it anyway, and what might happen when it becomes known by the government that these animals are still being shipped across state lines in violation of the law? Well, the government might just tell Fed Ex, UPS, etc. that they will be held responsible if any "accidents" happen, and then the shipping companies might just decide they don't want to allow ANY reptile shipments at all.

Exactly. The problem though is that people will still do it. There's still people who ship USPS! They need to realize that no matter what laws they put in place, people will find ways around them. Do you really think that if the government says no more shipping reptiles of any kind that it will stop? There's far too many packages shipped everyday for them to check every one. They don't even ask what's in them now when you drop it off at FedEx. I guarantee that if you want a snake or a gecko shipped it will be no problem. It's scary, but it's the truth.

My Point is that the government needs to decide whether they want to fight another battle that's not worth fighting. I believe stopping people from shipping reptiles will be about as successful as stopping people from bringing drugs into our country. It won't work no matter what they think. They may catch one or two here and there but for every one they stop there will be 500 that make it. They're idiots if they think any different.

Of course this is a worst case scenario, let's hope it never happens.

 

[KelliH]

Exactly. The problem though is that people will still do it. There's still people who ship USPS! They need to realize that no matter what laws they put in place, people will find ways around them. Do you really think that if the government says no more shipping reptiles of any kind that it will stop? There's far too many packages shipped everyday for them to check every one. They don't even ask what's in them now when you drop it off at FedEx. I guarantee that if you want a snake or a gecko shipped it will be no problem. It's scary, but it's the truth.

My Point is that the government needs to decide whether they want to fight another battle that's not worth fighting. I believe stopping people from shipping reptiles will be about as successful as stopping people from bringing drugs into our country. It won't work no matter what they think. They may catch one or two here and there but for every one they stop there will be 500 that make it. They're idiots if they think any different.

Of course this is a worst case scenario, let's hope it never happens.

I cannot disagree with you.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

If we don't do a better job or regulating ourselves, the government is going to come in and do it for us.

 

[Dimidiata]

and pythons have become another white powder on the street

 

[Russellm0704]

What bothers me is that the people who make the herp laws have never had anything to do with reptiles.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

I made this comment in one of my fb groups and would like to share it here as well:

I would encourage children to write letters as well. Every legal citizen of the United States has a right to contact their lawmakers expressing their concerns and opinions. Kids will be losing out on the chance to be an active participant in a hobby that keeps them connected with responsible adults, which keeps them off the streets. Also, an opportunity to be part of a multi-generational family business would be lost to them. They could be forced to see their parents involved in an illegal activity. Another thing- my comment was promptly removed from Ken Salzar's fb page, asking can he tell We The People where the money will come from to enforce this new regulation. Will it come from states who already don't have money to properly fund education programs for their children? Or will it come from the federal government who has been operating at a deficit? China?

You don't have to be a registered voter to write letters!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

It states in the press release that those already owning them can keep them as long as it complies with state laws. It does state that those that already own them are allowed to keep them but not sell or transport them over state lines.

So what happens if someone has to move to another State? What happens to all the businesses who ship these snakes over State lines? States like Florida are having Amnesty days for people to turn in their pets for mass euthanasia. Seems to me that people would be more inclined to turn them loose in the Everglades than hand them over to the DFW or DOI to be destroyed. Nothing like getting 'bit in the ass'.

 

[marauderhex]

So what happens if someone has to move to another State? What happens to all the businesses who ship these snakes over State lines? States like Florida are having Amnesty days for people to turn in their pets for mass euthanasia. Seems to me that people would be more inclined to turn them loose in the Everglades than hand them over to the DFW or DOI to be destroyed. Nothing like getting 'bit in the ass'.

If you move, you are committing a felony. That's right, violating the Lacey Act is a felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison. I wish I could destroy whoever came up with this act and the punishment.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

So what happens if someone has to move to another State? What happens to all the businesses who ship these snakes over State lines? States like Florida are having Amnesty days for people to turn in their pets for mass euthanasia. Seems to me that people would be more inclined to turn them loose in the Everglades than hand them over to the DFW or DOI to be destroyed. Nothing like getting 'bit in the ass'.

Marcia, pet amnesty days in FL asks local rescues and animal clubs like herp societies to participate, in order to save all these animals. My group (Jacksonville Herpetological Society) takes in anything but venomous, which we are not permitted for. IF this new law does indeed go into effect in 60 days, we will no longer be able to take in the burms due to not being able to transport across state lines. There aren't enough licensed institutions to keep the ROC (reptiles of concern) in state.

I'm certain that possible crimes are being planned as we speak..............

 

[animeavatar]

Why do people hate on snakes anyway? Apparently according to some people only furry animals are cute. Isn't that discriminating? I don't see them trying to ban cats. Feral cats can also affect the native animals.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Marcia, pet amnesty days in FL asks local rescues and animal clubs like herp societies to participate, in order to save all these animals. My group (Jacksonville Herpetological Society) takes in anything but venomous, which we are not permitted for. IF this new law does indeed go into effect in 60 days, we will no longer be able to take in the burms due to not being able to transport across state lines. There aren't enough licensed institutions to keep the ROC (reptiles of concern) in state.

It's good to know that there are local groups making every effort to re-home these snakes. I know of a lottery system in place in one of the counties to place them. I really think this is the means to the end for trying to help the environment in the Everglades (which EVERYONE is wanting to preserve), but I can foresee a lot of big constrictors being turned loose as opposed to turning them over.

Why do people hate on snakes anyway? Apparently according to some people only furry animals are cute. Isn't that discriminating? I don't see them trying to ban cats. Feral cats can also affect the native animals.

It's true that other feral animals pose a much larger threat to our ecosystem than these snakes. Wild pigs are MUCH more destructive and dangerous to the environment than these constrictors are.

I have a theory about why people hate snakes, but it may ruffle a few people's feathers. I'm not sure how many of you know that I am an Ordained Minister, and hold my Doctorate in Divinity. (A true contrast to my BS and MS in Materials Science and Chemical Engineering!) I honestly think much of the fear of snakes is conditioned by Biblical teachings, that Satan presented himself to Eve in the guise of a beautiful serpent to tempt her into going against God's commands. I am certainly NOT opening a discussion on religious doctrine, but snakes have been seen as the epitome of evil since the first century!

 

[Dimidiata]

i always assumed that people had a base instinctual fear of snakes, something more automatic.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

i always assumed that people had a base instinctual fear of snakes, something more automatic

This very well may be true. Anthropological studies do show us that many upper primates are afraid of snakes. My experience is that fear of snakes is a learned behavior, as my children, grandchildren, and great nieces and nephews are fascinated with them when they are very young, and then develop a fear later.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

"The fear of snakes is cultivated. We are not born with it. Children love snakes as naturally as they love dogs and cats. Don’t be afraid of a reptile’s tongue. The only animal that can hurt you with its tongue is the human being." - Grace Olive Wiley (1883–1948)