SPZOOLOGICAL
New member
alvaro said:Maybe some of you followed Kevin Smith’s thread and the heated debate on the unlawful shipping of venomous snakes that happened a few weeks ago. It would’ve been extremely important for more people to get involved in that discussion and voice their opinion.
It is clear there are irresponsible venomous snake keepers/dealers that dismiss the relevance of adhering to the law when shipping their animals. Thanks to this forum most of us know now who some of these individuals are. But it would be important that those who have information on who is shipping illegally also come forward and let the rest of the herp community know.
Non-compliance with the Lacey Act and shipping venomous snakes through non-approved carriers are both ways of breaking the law. The difference is that sending an unlabeled box with a corn snake will not put lives at risk, whereas sending a mamba will. Let’s put our efforts on trying to stop the illegal shipping of poisonous snakes. Maybe we should even start a thread about it.
One final thought though, there wouldn’t be sellers shipping illegally, if there weren’t buyers willing to receive poisonous snakes illegally.
Best regards.![]()
I 2nd it. It seems that there is an increased frequency of hobbyists shipping venomous reptiles illegally. This problem is not just a problem for the venomous reptile hobbyists, but all reptile hobbyists as well. Currently, there are reptile bans of some sort in NY, ND, LA, and recently 1 bill introduced in WA in the past year. How as a group should we deal with these problems? When is enough finally enough? Enough will be enough when someone gets hurt. First, and foremost, this is the reason for the post. Should we take a stand here and now and say, “If you’ve done it in the past, we forgive you, but NO MORE!”??? What do you guys think? How should we deal with those who violate this law? Should we bring them on here and chew their ass? Or should we adopt a self policing “Snitch Program”, and refer ALL those who break the law to authorities? I’m not sure how to deal with this issue, honestly. I’ve never been one for “snitching”, but I’m also not in favor of anyone innocent getting hurt, and jeopardizing my hobby either. Personally, I would be in favor of the “Snitching Policy” I can’t seem to recollect anyone I know ever enjoying going to jail and paying a fine. When a venomous reptile is shipped through anything but the airline, it puts carriers at significant risk. Nobody can guarantee the integrity of the cardboard box isn’t going to be compromised while en route. Think for a moment. Can you imagine the terror some innocent currier would feel if they were “pin pricked” through a bag that started to move, and had no idea what the hell it was? Not knowing the ID of an offending snake may also mean life or death for someone. With some of the horror stories I have heard about exotic venomous shipments passing through unapproved curriers, it’s safe to speculate that it is only a matter of time until something bad really happens and someone gets hurt. Legal issues aside, the hobby aside, none of it will matter when someone dies or gets hurt because some reckless herper wants to save a few bucks on shipping. It only takes once. Considering a stricter self-policing policy, let us also take into consideration the following:
Currently, Delta and Northwest are approved curriers for venomous reptiles.
Delta links w/ Skywest. Skywest DOES NOT accept venomous reptile cargo. You must be a “known” shipper before you can ship through Delta. It’s very easy. Call your local representative and arrange to meet w/ them.
Northwest links w/ Continental. Continental DOES NOT accept venomous reptile cargo. I have been told by a representative of NW that I must be verified to use them. I never use them, so I don’t know for sure. Conflicting reports seem to indicate otherwise.
Anyone know anyone else?
The animals should be “humanely” packed and not “stuffed” during transport. It’s your obligation to humanely transport all animals in your care. Also, if you don’t…..you’re breaking the law.
SEC 2. Section (b)(2) of the Animal Welfare Act
SEC. 2. Section 1 of the Act of August 24, 1966 (80 Stat. 350, as amended by the Animal Welfare Act of 1970, 84, Stat. 1560; 7 U.S.C. 2131-2155) is amended to read as follows:
"Section 1. (a) This Act may be cited as the `Animal Welfare Act'.
"(b) The Congress finds that animals and activities which are regulated under this Act are either in interstate or foreign commerce or substantially affect such commerce or the free flow thereof, and that regulation of animals and activities as provided in this Act is necessary to prevent and eliminate burdens upon such commerce and to effectively regulate such commerce, in order--
"(1) to insure that animals intended for use in research facilities or for exhibition purposes for use as pets are provided humane care and treatment;
"(2) to assure the humane treatment of animals during transportation in commerce; and
In my opinion, SEC 2 Section 1. (b) (1) of the Act is basis for argument against the venomoid trade.
Now everybody knows.Title 18. Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Part I Crimes; Chapter 3. Animals, Birds, Fish and Plants (Lacey Act)
§ 3372. Prohibited acts
(a) Offenses other than marking offenses. It is unlawful for any person--
(1) to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any fish or wildlife or plant taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any law, treaty, or regulation of the United States or in violation of any Indian tribal law;
(2) to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce--
(A) any fish or wildlife taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any law or regulation of any State or in violation of any foreign law, or
(B) any plant taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any law or regulation of any State;
(3) within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States (as defined in section 7 of title 18, United States Code [18 USCS § 7])--
(A) to possess any fish or wildlife taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any law or regulation of any State or in violation of any foreign law or Indian tribal law, or
(B) to possess any plant taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any law or regulation of any State; [or]
(4) to attempt to commit any act described in paragraphs (1) through (4) [(3)].
(b) Marking offenses. It is unlawful for any person to import, export, or transport in interstate commerce any container or package containing any fish or wildlife unless the container or package has previously been plainly marked, labeled, or tagged in accordance with the regulations issued pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection 7(a) of this Act [16 USCS § 3376(a)(2)].
I encourage anyone who has been shipping venomous reptiles illegally to stop this immediately. If you know of anyone currently using this method, please come forward (or at least inform them of this thread), let’s get them in here, and lets talk about it. This crap needs to stop.
Sean Palmer
[email protected]