Pennsylvania state law issues

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

Originally Posted by Heart and Soul Reptiles

Once weather warms up a little more we will be walking our animals around town as we do every year.

If you really want to promote our hobby, keep the animals at home. You are doing our hobby far more harm than good, and it is troubling that you don't see that.

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

Originally Posted by Heart and Soul Reptiles

If you need a nice place to get yours some fresh air, I suggest bringing them down to the town.

In addition to the comments that have already been made, it should also be pointed out that, in many localities, you could get a ticket/citation....and possibly have your animal confiscated. It's great that your efforts have been so well received, but I suspect your own feelings might have blinded you to some less favorable reactions.
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.

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.

Originally Posted by suzuki4life

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.

I gotta agree with that, dogs are one thing to take outside, but reptiles are a whole other story since we as reptile keepers are not considered a norm in society. Plus i could see reptiles stressing out when being forced into public situations.