Gary,
we walk our animals around west chester every summer, and have been for almost 7 years. We have regulars who always come up to us, and even certain restaurants that support us. We attend most of the cities community days, as well as being known by and supported by most of our local police force. It's just another one of our "free services" we provide to our local community, that also include school assemblies and other public appearances. If you need a nice place to get yours some fresh air, I suggest bringing them down to the town. |
I think its great you want to support your community. A booth at a local community "days" is nice. Especially if its a confined area where people can choose to be exposed or avoid. However, I do not think its a service to anyone to wander through any town imposing your animals on them. I don't appreciate it with people's dogs. I doubt many like it with your reptiles.
You don't need to expose people to the wonderful world of reptiles. They are not secrets. Toddlers can tell you that a snake image is a snake. But most importantly, reptiles have been demonized for THOUSANDS OF YEARS. We aren't going to change the image by force. |
Wow, I can't believe I'm going to actually contemplate on agreeing with Gary here, at least partially. And Chad, if you read this I don't want to hear about it. LOL.
I to think that is a great idea to find ways to both support and educate the public in any way in your local community. I have a strong belief in reptile education, and since 1987 have taken every chance I can to educate many people including children, adults, the elderly, area businesses and so forth about both native and exotic species of reptiles. I educate about captive breeding programs, so that animals are not taken from the wild, so that wildlife habitat is saved not destroyed. About some of the bad myths and bad raps that these animals have gotten and endured over the years. The importance of responsible reptile ownership. Lets face it, it doesn't matter if you are a hobbyist, a breeder, a full time business, or what your involvement in the reptile industry is, if you are the one behind the table making that sale, or the one in front of the computer making that web sale, RESPONSIBILITY starts with you. It is the quality of the product you are selling, your service, and your instructions and advice that you give to your customer (that next person in the chain) that is SOME of how the reptile world is received. As far as carrying your animals around town, that can go both ways as Gary has stated. I can remember back in 1990 after just starting to get into many boa projects, I had an amazing normal boa about 6 foot long. I loved nothing more then to take him out and put him around my neck and walk around town. I to had many on lookers and much support from local businesses, even had a local pizza shop that g to mad when we didn't come around. BUT there was a day where I was approached by a plain clothes detective, who stopped me to talk about a complaint they had received no more then 10 minutes before. It was from a little old lady on the complete opposite side of the street, who was petrified more then anyone I think I have ever seen. It was after that incident, that I do sorta now agree with Gary, I put that lady in a position where she was forced to be i that situation. I now choose to educate by offering educational seminars in a controlled environment where people can choose to be there. Just some thoughts, and sorry for rambling |
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Consider this.....the people willing to approach you and sign your petition, aren't the ones we need to bring awareness too. It is the ones deathly afraid to come near you that we need to educate, and terrifying them isn't the way to go about it. |
Here's the info about who to call and let them know you oppose this bill:
Hon. Gary Haluska 114 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202073 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2073 (717) 787-3532 Fax: (717) 783-7548 Hon. Joseph F. Brennan 25A East Wing PO Box 202133 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2133 (717) 772-9902 Fax: (717) 772-2284 Hon. Mike Carroll 527E Main Capitol Building PO Box 202118 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2118 (717) 787-3589 Fax: (717) 780-4763 Hon. H. Scott Conklin 325 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202077 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2077 (717) 787-9473 Fax: (717) 780-4764 Hon. Peter J. Daley 214 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202049 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2049 (717) 783-9333 Fax: (717) 783-7558 Hon. Gordon Denlinger 211 Ryan Office Building PO Box 202099 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2099 (717) 787-3531 Fax: (717) 705-1951 Hon. Garth D. Everett 430 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202084 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2084 (717) 787-5270 Fax: (717) 772-9958 Hon. Neal P. Goodman G07 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202123 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2123 (717) 787-2798 Fax: (717) 772-9948 Hon. Eddie Day Pashinski 203 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202121 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2121 (717) 783-0686 Fax: (717) 772-2284 Hon. Curtis G. Sonney 149B East Wing PO Box 202004 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2004 (717) 783-9087 Fax: (717) 787-2005 Hon. Jerry Stern 315A Main Capitol Building PO Box 202080 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2080 (717) 787-9020 Fax: (717) 787-2420 this bill is goin to the same games and fisheries committees as 2063 Hon. John R. Evans 107 Ryan Office Building PO Box 202005 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2005 (717) 772-9940 Fax: (717) 772-7099 Hon. Todd Rock 162A East Wing PO Box 202090 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2090 (717) 783-5218 Fax: (717) 260-6505 Hon. Kurt A. Masser 414 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202107 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2107 (717) 260-6134 Fax: (717) 787-9463 Hon. Bryan Cutler 147A East Wing PO Box 202100 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2100 (717) 783-6424 Fax: (717) 772-9859 Hon. Joe Emrick 160B East Wing PO Box 202137 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2137 (717) 260-6159 Hon. Garth D. Everett 430 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202084 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2084 (717) 787-5270 Fax: (717) 772-9958 Hon. Keith Gillespie 45 East Wing PO Box 202047 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2047 (717) 705-7167 Fax: (717) 772-9869 Hon. Marcia M. Hahn 402 A Irvis Office Building P O Box 202138 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2138 (717) 783-8573 Fax: (717) 783-3899 Hon. Doyle Heffley 423 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202122 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2122 (717) 260-6139 Hon. Mark K. Keller 5 East Wing PO Box 202086 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2086 (717) 783-1593 Fax: (717) 705-7012 Hon. David M. Maloney Sr. 6A East Wing PO Box 202130 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2130 (717) 260-6161 Hon. Dan Moul G32 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202091 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2091 (717) 783-5217 Fax: (717) 772-5499 Hon. Michael Peifer 153A East Wing PO Box 202139 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2139 (717) 783-2037 Fax: (717) 705-1948 Hon. Jeffrey P. Pyle 147B East Wing PO Box 202060 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2060 (717) 783-5327 Fax: (717) 260-6511 Hon. Mike Reese 163A East Wing PO Box 202059 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2059 (717) 783-9311 Fax: (717) 260-6502 Hon. Edward G. Staback 225 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202115 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2115 (717) 783-5043 Fax: (717) 787-1231 Hon. Kevin P. Murphy G01 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202113 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2113 (717) 787-8981 (877) 841-1450 Toll Free Fax: (717) 705-1958 Hon. Gerald J. Mullery 115B East Wing PO Box 202119 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2119 (717) 783-4893 Hon. Angel Cruz 528E Main Capitol Building PO Box 202180 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2180 (717) 787-1407 Fax: (717) 780-4769 Hon. H. William DeWeese 331 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202050 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2050 (717) 783-3797 Fax: (717) 772-3605 Hon. Marc J. Gergely 325 Main Capitol Building PO Box 202035 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2035 (717) 783-1018 Fax: (717) 780-4779 Hon. Gary Haluska 114 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202073 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2073 (717) 787-3532 Fax: (717) 783-7548 Hon. John Hornaman 27B East Wing PO Box 202003 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2003 (717) 772-2297 Fax: (717) 780-4767 Hon. Deberah Kula G05 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202052 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2052 (717) 772-1858 Fax: (717) 780-4784 Hon. Tim Mahoney 324 Main Capitol PO Box 202051 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2051 (717) 772-2174 Fax: (717) 780-4786 |
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I've done displays which were well advertised, including big signs at the entranceways - or when approaching, in the case of more open/outside events - and witnessed physical injuries (and property damage) when people attempt a quick detour/redirect upon seeing a reptile. Personally, I find it difficult to believe that you've taken reptiles out in public - to the extent that you've claimed - and never had a negative reaction.....and somewhat disturbing if you can say that you've never noticed. |
I just called an spoke with Haluska. He is really down playing what this bill could mean. I explained that it is absolutely absurd to place the same restrictions on a person trying to own a corn snake as someone who wants to own a bear. He claims to base his stance upon reports in his area of animals reported as running at large. I asked directly if he knew of any reports of reptile based attacks in PA and he replied "no". I ended the call with the concept that a Bull Mastiff was bred to fight lions. They grow extremely large and have know records of attacks on humans. In PA, they do not require an inspection of their enclosure to own and their license is under $15 to own. How would this be fair? He didn't seem very convinced.
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Everyone makes wonderful points. And to say we haven't had people who were afraid, or upset by them, would be ridiculous. We do occasionally get people who don't want to come near them, but in no way do we force them to be near them. Having talked to our local police chief years ago his words were this, and I thank him for being so unprejudiced to our animals, "If we were to ask you to take your animals home, or write you up for disturbing the peace in some way, what is to stop you from protesting every person who walks their dog down the street." He has stood by us tremendously, often bringing this up should someone mention something. We have a general area we stick to when walking with them, and West Chester is not an enormous town in itself. The first year we took them with us for a stroll through town was the summer of 2005, and I don't think we have missed a summer since.
I feel like I'm moving this thread off topic though from the original points I was trying to make about getting a petition signed and getting in contact with your local government as well as state to prevent this bill from being passed, so I invite anyone to continue the conversation on reptiles in public either in a new thread in the general discussion form or via PM! |
From what you wrote, I read it as your officer feels you'd be more headaches if he bothers you than ignores you. It doesn't mean he likes what you are doing or agrees with it. Leave your animals at home.
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