Stop Virginia Reptile Ban!
Two companion bills have been introduced into the Virginia General Assembly that would BAN the ownership of countless reptiles under proposed Dangerous Animal Legislation. On January 11, 2012 Senator Louise Lucas introduced SB477 Dangerous Wild Animals into the VA Senate. On January 20, 2012 Delegate Christopher Peace introduced a companion bill, HB1242, into the VA House of Delegates. Although the titles of the bills match, the text does not.
HB1242 would seek to outlaw ALL of Boa, Python and Eunectes. Both bills are standard bill templates written by the Animal Rights Industry. As such, both bills are poorly written by those who have little understanding of the natural history or captive husbandry of these animals. They are designed to be as broad and restrictive as possible, without any regard for the actual people they affect, nor the welfare of the animals they would displace.
Although there is a moderate occupational risk in working with certain reptiles, historically and statistically there is virtually zero public safety risk. Working with traditional livestock and pets presents far more risk than working with reptiles. 35 people per year are killed by dogs in the US. The efforts by the Animal Rights Industry to exaggerate risk posed from captive reptiles, and sensationalize it through the media is reprehensible and irresponsible. No one outside of the keepers facility has ever been killed by a captive reptile. There is only one death in the last 50 years in the state of VA from a captive reptile; and that was in the context of occupational hazard within the keepers facility.
Both SB477 and HB1242 have been assigned to committee. SB477 to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources, and HB1242 to the Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources. USARK members have been lobbying door to door at the Virginia Statehouse. HSUS Lobbyists have been observed doing the same. Get involved TODAY!
***SB477 and HB1242 would completely decimate the responsible and legitimate reptile industry in VA destroying hundreds of small businesses and families, along with thousands of jobs.
The reptile industry in Virginia represents approximately $25 million in annual trade, thousands of jobs and upwards of 100,000 animals. USARK OPPOSES HB1242 and SB477. They are poorly written and demonstrate what poor information the bill's sponsors received from proponents and staff.
USARK asks that ALL reptiles be removed from HB1242 and SB477.
Make sure you send both letters below!
1) Click here to send letter opposing HB1242:
http://usark.org/campaign.php?id=30
Click here to read HB1242:
http://www.usark.org/uploads/VA%20HB1242.pdf
2) Click here to send letter opposing SB477:
http://usark.org/campaign.php?id=29
Click here to read SB477:
http://www.usark.org/uploads/VA%20SB477.pdf
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