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Re: legislation needed or needless?
Posted by Simon R. Sansom on April 21, 2003 at 15:40:01:
In Reply to: legislation needed or needless? posted by jld on December 03, 2002 at 16:35:03:
:For the record I keep retiles, birds and mammals. I am also 1/2 of the team that runs a well respected reptile rescue & educational program in NH. I do not consider myself an expert, in fact, I hate the term. I am however, considered to be a reptile professional for whatever that is worth.
:I hate to see posts like the one that started this thread. Not because I think that people don't have the right to have their own ideas, thoughts and opinions, because they most certainly do, but because more often than not posts like encourgage incomplete thought and mob mentality. What I mean by that is that everyone involved is usually so passionate about their position that they neglect to listen to the other side. I also hate to admitt that I hate seeing posts like that because it is rare that anything productive comes out of them.
:Whether anyone likes to hear it or not, there is a need for legislation when it comes to ALL animals. Without legislation, there would be no animal cruelty laws and no laws to protect animals from inhumane treatment in assorted fields of business.
:I find it interesting that you talk about a 10 foot Burmese Python. For the record, for those folks that do not know, a Burmese Python has the potential to reach 20 feet or more in its adult stages. So, the issue with Burmese Pythons isn't that they can reach 10 feet, it's that they can reach numbers far exceeding that and the AVERAGE owner doesn't usually have the resources to properly care for the animals when it gets that large. Reviewing our records, the average size of a Burmese Python we are called to rescue or foster is 10-12 feet in length. Placement for these animals is a problem because zoos do not want them and more experienced reptile hobbyists realize they do not have the proper resources to care for them in their homes. So what becomes of a giant snake when no one wants it?
:When it comes to legislation and bans there are several issues to consider.
:1.)Most of the time, the people passing reptile legislation have no direct reptile knowledge, they rely on professionals in the animal field, be it humane, zoo, veterinarian for their information. If those groups posess no direct reptile knowledge or have no one on staff has direct reptile knowledge, this is where the problem can start because these people often rely on sources for their information which can be outdated or just plain wrong. We encourage responsible, well educated reptile hobbyists to participate in the process of assisting to educate those that make the laws and those who consult on making the laws. Screaming, yelling and crying "it isn't fair" won't get anyone very far. Instead, take the time to write a well thought out, professional letter to the government or other agencies involve sharing your knowledge in a productive manner.
:2.)Speaking from a humane aspect, there are major problems in the reptile industry not the least of which is over saturation of some animals in the market place, terrible importation practices, reptile mills (just like puppy mills although not as many), a general lack of respect for the life of a reptile and not enough reputable, properly educated, licensed humane services for reptiles. There simply aren't enough blanket animal cruelty laws to help save many reptiles from the horrible situations that many of us encounter in pet stores.
:3.) There are some animals, no matter how much you try to convince me or other humane people, that just do not need to be companion animals available to the masses. These animals include crocodillia, giant snakes, venemous snakes and lizards, as well as other types of exotic animals. Most of these animals require care that far exceeds what the average home can provide. Do I think there should be an outright ban? No, but I do think there needs to be heavy legislation and a strict permit system in place to monitor these types of animals.
:Everyone likes to run around and talk about their right to keep reptiles and point fingers at everyone else. No one seems to want to take accoutability for their own place in all of this. Yes, you may think that you are a responsible reptile owner but for every one of you I can find 10 who are not. Responsible isn't trading your reptile for another like it is a baseball card, responsible isn't selling, giving away, trading or surrendering to a rescue or releasing into the wild, the animal you bought because it is now too large for you to deal with. (AND PLEASE REALIZE I AM NOT PICKING ON YOU SPECIFICILY I AM USING THE WORD YOU AS A GENERAL TERM.) Yet things like what I have mentioned happen every day. Just a few months ago we were called by local PD to come pick up a 10.5 foot strat Burmese Python! Think that is rare? Think again because we get atleast a dozen stray reptile calls a month, sometimes more if the weather is particularly balmy up here.
:Trust me, you want legislation, you just want the right kind of legislation and the only way for that to happen is to be involved in the process.
:Regards,
:Jenna
Hi Jenna,
I've been keeping reptiles all my life, snakes in particular.
I'm afraid that I must disagree with the need for legislation in regards to the keeping of certain types of snakes.
Any idiot can procreate and produce children without need for any screening process or license, and look at some of the EVIL things done to children these days.
While I agree that animals must be afforded a certain amount of respect and deserve proper care, we must be careful that we don't become overly sentimental towards them and lose sight of reality, and not put their welfare before that of defenseless members of our own species.
As wonderful as they are, they are still only animals.
Simon