This is important for all aspects of pet keeping!

[SunshinePuppies]

Please watch this video and sign the petition. If they take one species of animal from us, they'll be taking away everything before long. Fish and inverts aren't even safe. Personally I don't think they should be able to take our rights to have ANY pet away. I know several people who have big and small snakes and they will be permanently ruined by this.They'll eventually target ball pythons (Which I own), fish, hamsters, gerbils, cats, dogs, etc. They don't even want you to be able to have a snail!
Please help us get 25000 signatures! Pass this to EVERYONE you know. It's important to protect our rights to have pets!!

VIDEO: http://www.worldofballpythons.com/videos/maballs-net-nerd-video/415/

PETITION: https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/!/petition/overturn-python-ban/4wGFbc4Y#thank-you=p

 

[petluvr]

Sorry but I believe the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I own a 10 foot boa and a 5 foot corn snake and if the government says I must get rid of them then so be it. I am of the belief that the big 5 should not be as easy to obtain as what they are in the first place.

 

[Somervell]

There are certain states for which I believe some kind restriction is necessary for the good of the natural ecosystem. As far as the Federal Government stepping in with a blanket law governing ALL states, I have a problem with that. How about requiring stringent licensing of the sale and breeding of these animals with steep fines for owners/breeders not abiding by these regulations? As with all things, no regulatory system will be perfect, but it may cut down on some of the impulse purchases/release of these large reptiles. ( Which does not seem to be the major cause of problems in, say, FL, which is caused by rampant breeding of snakes released from warehouses during Hurricane Andrew.)As to the government not "wanting" us to own any pets-- this seems to be a case of overreaching thinking. Would there be a specific reason to ban other pets? Does the government have a vested interest in preventing pet ownership in the United States? By all means, sign a petition if you want to do so. I am as much against federal government control of such things as the next person-- but do not let an illogical conclusion about how far- reaching these laws could become cloud your thinking. Could total ban of pet ownership happen in the U.S.- sure. Is it likely to happen that way? I don't think so.

 

[steffish]

Need more information to properly develop an opinion on this. What bill(s) exactly is this about? It's a shame that we need to protect ourselves from our legislators who are trying to "Protect" us as a pretext for furthering their own interests above what their constituents actually want. Unless this is Florida's brilliant plan to reduce the insane unemployment rate by putting people to work catching all the "Invasive non-native species". That should keep plenty of people very busy. >Insert aggravated sarcasm icon

 

[dundadundun]

Sorry but I believe the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

then please do explain how the current states of infrastructure, economics, unemployment and the housing market are even remotely possible.

I own a 10 foot boa and a 5 foot corn snake

then this should interest you. you should take the time to at least read the bill and know it's history and reasoning. also reference the articles and subsections in which they refer to in the context in which they're rewritten for this bill.

and if the government says I must get rid of them then so be it

thats sheep talk, and quite honestly totally contradictory to your first statement. as americans, the one pride we have is the fact that we fought for our rights. it would be ashamed to see that go down the drain in one generation. oh, wait... too late....

I am of the belief that the big 5 should not be as easy to obtain as what they are in the first place.

while i agree with this, the context you write it in is quite astonishing. it says to me, that you believe that if congress, the usfws and the state of florida can't think of anything better than to make it's citizens outlaws to get their way, you're going to lay down and let them do it to you. even worse... you're going to let them do it to your fellow citizens?a little history for you, Larry... you've started threads about several of your issues on this site. every single time that i can remember, i've been supportive and tried to help where i could. it wasn't until recently that you had an issue i could directly help you out with that you could see the results that you felt compelled to offer a thank you instead of an arrogant, smarmy remark or total ignorance towards me. yet, the one thing i've asked of anyone on this site, you feel compelled to make counter productive statements on something you've not taken (literally refused to) the time and effort to understand? i used to think you were better than this.mind you, this is coming from a thrice confirmed breeder who marched for equal rights with his nancy uncle. your equal rights... that honestly, i could give two craps about. it was the right thing to do and that's all that mattered to me.to set the story straight... this isn't about the big 5. this is about the burmese, period. to add to that, there was 9 (actually 10, really) species on that list until last week (that's for 4 years) that they thought they could easily pass under our noses. the reason i say actually 10 is because red tailed boa was listed as "redtail boa", however it's actually two distinct species with several locales from around the world. so boa constrictor imperator and boa constrictor constrictor were considered one species under this bill (sneaky, sneaky).

 

[dundadundun]

the bill is s373https://www.google.com/search?aq=f&gcx=c&sourceid=chrome&client=ubuntu&channel=cs&ie=UTF-8&q=s.+373

 

[Jill-O]

In general, I think less government intervention is better, however... people can be so irresponsible! I think there do need to be some limits regarding what can and cannot be kept. I mean, a couple years ago just down the road from me, some criminals were keeping tigers! In addition to their drug trafficking activities... How many cats and dogs are put to sleep each year because of irresponsible owners? Yes, I do think some regulations are for the best.

 

[nerdyrcdriver]

My dad has always wanted a snake and my friend has a ball python (I think). Personally, I think that certain snakes should be hard to obtain and should require special licenses and training to own or care for them. On the other hand, some more common snakes that people can take care of should still be allowed. I can see the risk of some fish as well. There are so many stories of people who even had the training and licenses being killed by the very reptiles they loved and cared for. One time I was at some show thing, idk what it was for but I believe it was at Navy Pier in Chicago. One of the small stages had a guy with several dangerous (and not so dangerous) snakes. He also had camen (however you spell those smaller crocs or alligators or whatever they are). He also brought along his big one. Sure the big one was in a trailer with live video feed going to the stage to take out some of the risk. But if some of those snakes or even one slipped away from him it could have easily killed somebody. There was nothing set in place to keep that from happening. Sure there was a cop with a gun there, but hitting a moving snake isnt an easy task. Plus he could have been anywhere in the room. Could take him 5 min to get to where the snake was if it were to escape. Thinks like this and people being killed are what is starting this law. Snakes are wild animals, they may act tame but they can still hold onto their animal instincts. Such as, my dog is an old nice dog that has never harmed anyone (other than my cousin trying to pull food out of his mouth). We gave him one of those pig ears for only about 1 min. My mom (our dogs favorite person in the house. He will let go of anything if she tells him to) tried to take it away from him. He growled and snapped at her defending his treat. This went on for about 5 min before I got tired of it, grabbed his collar and dropped a piece of bread on the floor. He let go of the ear, my mom took it. I held him back and we threw the bread away. But something like that probably wouldnt work on a snake. Sorry snake lovers, but I agree with the law.

 

[the wizard]

To those of you that think each new legislation is just going to stop at what it initially states, look at history. Once the foot is in the door they reach for more. How much depends on the resistance initially. They are doing it with guns, smoking, etc. It doesn't stop. It seems that the Government has forgotten a very important document that states,"the government that governs least governs best". The reason these infringements continue to go on is because we don't want to get involved unless it directly affects us. We have lost sight of what it cost us to form this nation and gov't. We have forgotten what it means to do the right thing and seem to think there is a gray area between right and wrong. Freedom isn't free. We have to fight for freedom and most think that it is only the military in times of war that fight for freedom. Wrong, sometimes it is civilians in courts that must do the fighting. If we continue to not care unless we are directly affected, one day we will awaken to find all of our freedoms are gone. It cost our forefathers great sacrifices and many battles to forge this nation. It will cost us even more to keep it.

 

[dundadundun]

quick fact... on average, 20 people are killed by horses in the US every year, yet, since 1980 there's only been 13 death attributed to pythons. that's 480 to 13.dogs kill 31 people on average... that's 743 deaths attributed to dog ownership.rattlesnakes (which are indigenous and aren't going anywhere) kill on average 5.5 people per year in the U.S..the dangers on these animals is blown way out of proportion due to irrational fears and responsible owners, keepers and breeders are going to suffer for it.i can get a permit to own a mountain lion. why can't the same restrictions apply and a permit be licensed for a large non-venomous snake?nerdy... a snake would let go regardless if there was a steak on the ground unless it's killing for a meal. yes, they can wrap a person, but any responsible owner of these big guys knows not to take it out for a stroll without enough manpower to unwrap it. keep in mind that if you cannot fit in it's mouth whole, it's not even going to attempt to eat you. it would suffocate and die if it did.