hhmoore
tired & cranky shadow
While the article does state that An injurious wildlife listing would prohibit the importation into, or transportation between, States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States by any means, without a permit, the terms of that permit are would would create the problem. As listed, permits MAY be issued for scientific, medical, educational, or zoological purposes. May be...as in not guaranteed. Further, most private keepers cannot meet the criteria for scientific, medical, or zoological (at least based upon my previous permit experience here in NYS). The educational permit was simple enough to obtain; but there were requirements, and the department could request proof of adherence at any time (and it was generally needed when renewing the license annually). It does not, however, cover "because I want one", "because I have always been interested in snakes", or, conversely "because since they bred I have too many", "I need the money", "because I can't take care of it anymore" (or the ever popular: my mom/landlord won't let me keep it, my girlfriend is afraid of it, we are having a baby, can't find food for it, etc).
Maybe they will not put extraordinary stipulations in place, or charge outrageous permit fees...then again, maybe they will. We won't know that part until it is too late - the decision to add these groups to the injurious wildlife category will likely already have been made before they address the fine points (why worry about the terms and cost of the permit until you have decided that there will be a permit).
It does seem that a large number of people are misreading an important part - it is not for ALL pythons and boas...it is for snakes contained within the 3 listed genera: Python, Boa, and Eunectes. SO, any boa or python not included in Boa or Python is not included...ie Morelia, Liasis, Aspidites, Anteresia, Corallus, Acrantophis, Eryx, etc. A number of States (and localities) already have regulations in place covering the INTENDED targets of this proposal - large constrictors. That this model includes the precious ball python will likely create significant attention - that can be good, or bad, depending on the manner of the responses. I suspect for every intelligently written and informative comment they receive, they will get many that serve no real purpose except to strengthen the stereotype of reptile keepers.
Yes, this demands our attention, and, as I (and others) have stated before - the issue that actually exists is relatively isolated and legislation has already been passed to address it....but, while pondering the implications, I found myself wondering if realization of the number of people that breed the aforementioned genera on any scale, and the quantities in which they are bred and imported would serve as a positive or negative influence on the decision.
Maybe they will not put extraordinary stipulations in place, or charge outrageous permit fees...then again, maybe they will. We won't know that part until it is too late - the decision to add these groups to the injurious wildlife category will likely already have been made before they address the fine points (why worry about the terms and cost of the permit until you have decided that there will be a permit).
It does seem that a large number of people are misreading an important part - it is not for ALL pythons and boas...it is for snakes contained within the 3 listed genera: Python, Boa, and Eunectes. SO, any boa or python not included in Boa or Python is not included...ie Morelia, Liasis, Aspidites, Anteresia, Corallus, Acrantophis, Eryx, etc. A number of States (and localities) already have regulations in place covering the INTENDED targets of this proposal - large constrictors. That this model includes the precious ball python will likely create significant attention - that can be good, or bad, depending on the manner of the responses. I suspect for every intelligently written and informative comment they receive, they will get many that serve no real purpose except to strengthen the stereotype of reptile keepers.
Yes, this demands our attention, and, as I (and others) have stated before - the issue that actually exists is relatively isolated and legislation has already been passed to address it....but, while pondering the implications, I found myself wondering if realization of the number of people that breed the aforementioned genera on any scale, and the quantities in which they are bred and imported would serve as a positive or negative influence on the decision.
