There is a petition concerning Florida Fish and Wildlife's proposed new Rules and Regulations, and the possible reintroduction of Bill 990 concerning reptiles. If you agree with what we've written, I ask that you sign it and also pass it along to as many people as you can that may also want to sign it. There is a Sept 13 deadline for the public to voice its' concern.
YOU CAN SIGN THIS PETITION ONLINE AT the FOLLOWING LINK!
Just a quick note to let everyone know that the Reptile Petition is now available on our web page at
www.jaxherp.org
Thanks For listening.
Petition to Stop Proposed Laws and Regulations concerning Reptiles of Concern
We, the undersigned Florida residents are appalled that a few select groups, or powerful person(s) are able to without due scientific study, or even legitimate studied facts are attempting to effect legislation both locally and statewide. Further, that those same person(s) and groups are asking for laws to be passed on their own views and without study and without correct verifiable proof.
“Currently there are an estimated 7.3 million reptile-owning households in the US. There are 50-55 million households with dogs and cats as pets (Doug Mader, DVM, DABVP).” From HSUS “there are 6-8 million cats and dogs entering shelters each year.” Based on a study completed by UF Gainesville Florida; “there is an estimated of 40-60 million feral cats in the US, and some 15 million cats in Florida which spend all or part of their time outside preying on wild life. It is estimated that cats kill as many as 271 million small mammals and 68 million birds each year in Florida with many of these members of threatened and endangered species (Hatley)”
Yet based on a sensationalized story and actual numbers per Skip Snow, a wildlife biologist at Everglades National Park ….. Between 1995-2005 a 10 year period an actual 212 Burmese pythons were captured and removed from the park. That is not 212 million or 212 thousand. Just 212 total over a 10 year period, or 21 a year. Or could that number have been 210 in 1995 and 2 in 2005 …. I think you get the point. It took 10 years to have a number.
Yet, there is 15 million cats preying on Florida’s wildlife.
Included in the legislation also is a recommendation of Pit tagging the proposed Reptiles Of Concern (ROC) and all non-indigenous venomous reptiles. This recommendation must have come from someone without any medical knowledge, and without concern with the humans that would have to come in full contact with these venomous animals. More than one vet has stated that it will most likely will harm or kill the smaller venomous species of reptiles. This is an unnecessary risk when there are other methods such as photography. And, who will be paying those kinds of costs for not only the animal but the humans possible death risk because of having to provide the proposed pit tagging per legislation? There has not been a problem with venomous reptiles in Florida. Based on the numbers provided there isn’t a problem with non-venomous reptiles either. What animals that have escaped due to hurricanes or mishandling are such miniscule numbers compared to the real threat to our environment…. That being both domesticated and feral cats and dogs, and humans laying waste via chemical poisoning, fertilizers, pesticides, and chemically treated waste water, sewers, and septic tanks poisoning the environment we live in. So, should we be spinning our wheels wasting tax payers’ monies on useless and ultimately unenforceable laws that arose out of certain persons groups or media sensationalizing and twisting facts. We implore Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and our public representatives to be prudent in its efforts to regulate. We suggest that the laws we already have are sufficient but require funding to enforce. We do not need more laws. Further, we recommend that our legislators and FWC form a working group including industry members, to develop, determine, establish and promulgate a specific set of standards to consider and review a species before adding it to a list that will affect so many Floridians in so many ways. This study should have not only a verbal but scientific basis before legislating what should happen. If we can’t afford the study, then we can’t afford the laws, rules and regulations either past, present or proposed future.
THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN HERE. PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO HAVE THEM SIGN IT. I PERSONALLY DONT WANT TO INSERT A LARGE MICROCHIP INTO ANY BABY SNAKE!
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER.
SINCERELY,
BETH & PAUL MOODY
SIMPLY SNAKES
WWW.SIMPLYSNAKES.COM
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