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Florida state law issues

Concerning the Daytona Beach Expo

Just in case everyone interested did not get this email from Wayne Hill:

To All Expo Vendors:
I have recently been contacted by Lt. Rick Brown of FL Wildlife Commission informing me of a new enforcement plan. This new plan will be implemented starting with the Breeders' Expo in August and continuing for all other shows in FL thereafter. The plan is that any non Florida resident who does not possess the proper permits at the show will no longer be issued a citation to appear in court, but will be taken to the county jail and offered the opportunity to post a $250 bail. This is in response to out of state vendors displaying reptiles without permits at numerous smaller shows around the state who, when cited to appear in court at at later date, do not show.
I will remind you that the application for a permit to sell and display reptiles in the State of FL is always included in the vendor's package. You must have the permit or a copy of it with you at the show since it is subject to inspection by agents of the FL Wildlife Commission. The Expo has been chosen to begin the new enforcement plan because so many herp vendors are present. Let's show the FL Wildlife Commission how professional our vendors are by having 100% compliance with the permitting rules.
Look forward to seeing you in 2 weeks.
Wayne Hill
Click to expand...
 
Tampa, Florida will try for REPTILE BAN TOMORROW, Wed. 10/15/03

The Hillsborough County Commission (Tampa) will discuss ways to ban reptiles and exotic pets tomorrow, Wednesday, October 15, 2003. The matter is scheduled to be brought up at 10:15 am. The ban was publicized only 24 hours prior as far as I know. This ban which is specific to stop the breeding and selling of exotic pets is being talked about as a template for the rest of Florida. It is designed by the Commission and various Humane Society, Animal Rescue, and County Animal Control Persons to circumvent the Florida State Permits that Reptile Persons and other exotic animal people hold. They will also require warning signs in your front yard and a public list of all the animals you own which will be gathered by and for the the government. The meeting will take place on the 2nd floor of County Center, 601 East Kennedy Blvd. in downtown Tampa. The exotic pet ban is scheduled to be discussed at 10:15 am; however, I would get there early in case in case they try to run it through quickly.
May God help the reptile people in Tampa, the rest of Florida, and rest of the country.
 
ALERT!! Hillsborough County, Florida

Posted by Bruce Stephenson:
The Hillsborough County Commission (Tampa) will discuss ways to ban reptiles and exotic pets tomorrow, Wednesday, October 15, 2003. The matter is scheduled to be brought up at 10:15 am. The ban was publicized only 24 hours prior as far as I know. This ban which is specific to stop the breeding and selling of exotic pets is being talked about as a template for the rest of Florida. It is designed by the Commission and various Humane Society, Animal Rescue, and County Animal Control Persons to circumvent the Florida State Permits that Reptile Persons and other exotic animal people hold. They will also require warning signs in your front yard and a public list of all the animals you own which will be gathered by and for the the government. The meeting will take place on the 2nd floor of County Center, 601 East Kennedy Blvd. in downtown Tampa. The exotic pet ban is scheduled to be discussed at 10:15 am; however, I would get there early in case in case they try to run it through quickly.
May God help the reptile people in Tampa, the rest of Florida, and rest of the country.
Click to expand...

You can e-mail the Hillsborough County Commissioners at www.hillsboroughcounty.org Thanks, Bruce Stephenson.
Click to expand...
 
Not that I doubt your word WebSlave :), but has anybody seen a news article anywhere on this?
 
Today is Wed, 15 Oct 2003








Today is Wed, 15 Oct 2003



































A database that keeps track of exotic animals is a possibility in Hillsborough County Tuesday, October 14th

Are there any large felines in your neighborhood?
Aurora the tiger currently resides at the WildLife on East Street sanctuary in Tampa.

Believe it or not, the impressive feline was once the pet of a Bay area resident. Scott Lope, one of the managers at the sanctuary, says having a cat as large as Aurora as a pet is not as unusual as you might think.

"I think it would surprise some people to know that they have tigers or cougars living next door," Lope said.

Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners
Click here to access their web site.
Hillsborough County Commissioners are considering ways to regulate wild and exotic pets in their communities. Bill Armstrong, Hillsborough's Animal Services Director says he's concerned about the danger that these animals can pose to their owners and neighbors.


Lope says more needs to be done to regulate the sale of exotic pets.
"We're dealing with a different level of potential danger in the community other than just your average dog or cat," Armstrong said.

Because the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has exclusive jurisdiction over setting rules for wildlife, he is exploring other ways to regulate exotic pets.

One possibility would require their owners to post signs. There could also be some tinkering of local zoning laws to regulate pet containers such as cages. The County Commission has been discussing the possibility of compiling a public database to keep track of exotic pets.

It would be a great way for emergency responders to locate areas where the animals live so they are no what they are getting themselves into before they respond to a call.

Lope says unfortunately is would be virtually impossible to keep track of all exotic pet owners in Hillsborough County. He does offer a solution suggesting that the county keep track of people who breed wild animals in order to sell them.

"The people putting these animals out there, the need to be held liable for the animals they create," Lope said. "The animals [usually] wind up in the wrong hands, unqualified hands."


Hillsborough is considering a number of proposals.
In any case, Lope and Armstrong agree that something needs to be done to keep just anyone from acquiring an exotic animal. When it comes to regulating such things as pet ownership, officials with animal services say it's a balancing act between the rights of the individual owner and public safety.

Armstrong is optimistic that the county can find a happy medium.

"It's going to be a challenge," he said. "We need to protect the privacy of [the owners] and at the same time look out for the welfare of all the citizens."

That's a notion that might even receive a roar of approval from Aurora.





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©2003 Bay News 9
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A database that keeps track of exotic animals is a possibility in Hillsborough County Tuesday, October 14th

Are there any large felines in your neighborhood?
Aurora the tiger currently resides at the WildLife on East Street sanctuary in Tampa.

Believe it or not, the impressive feline was once the pet of a Bay area resident. Scott Lope, one of the managers at the sanctuary, says having a cat as large as Aurora as a pet is not as unusual as you might think.

"I think it would surprise some people to know that they have tigers or cougars living next door," Lope said.

Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners
Click here to access their web site.
Hillsborough County Commissioners are considering ways to regulate wild and exotic pets in their communities. Bill Armstrong, Hillsborough's Animal Services Director says he's concerned about the danger that these animals can pose to their owners and neighbors.


Lope says more needs to be done to regulate the sale of exotic pets.
"We're dealing with a different level of potential danger in the community other than just your average dog or cat," Armstrong said.

Because the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has exclusive jurisdiction over setting rules for wildlife, he is exploring other ways to regulate exotic pets.

One possibility would require their owners to post signs. There could also be some tinkering of local zoning laws to regulate pet containers such as cages. The County Commission has been discussing the possibility of compiling a public database to keep track of exotic pets.

It would be a great way for emergency responders to locate areas where the animals live so they are no what they are getting themselves into before they respond to a call.

Lope says unfortunately is would be virtually impossible to keep track of all exotic pet owners in Hillsborough County. He does offer a solution suggesting that the county keep track of people who breed wild animals in order to sell them.

"The people putting these animals out there, the need to be held liable for the animals they create," Lope said. "The animals [usually] wind up in the wrong hands, unqualified hands."


Hillsborough is considering a number of proposals.
In any case, Lope and Armstrong agree that something needs to be done to keep just anyone from acquiring an exotic animal. When it comes to regulating such things as pet ownership, officials with animal services say it's a balancing act between the rights of the individual owner and public safety.

Armstrong is optimistic that the county can find a happy medium.

"It's going to be a challenge," he said. "We need to protect the privacy of [the owners] and at the same time look out for the welfare of all the citizens."

That's a notion that might even receive a roar of approval from Aurora.





Story Synopsis
E-Mail to a friend
Watch On-line
High Speed|Dial-up
High Speed|Dial-up




Want to win tickets to the Rockettes' performance in Tampa? Click here to enter our contest.






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

News from Beyond the Bay

Keep up with the latest national and international news from CNN.com.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

$10 Off 1/2 Hr. Massage or $20 off any service over $55

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bay News 9 en español 24-Hour Spanish News & Weather.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Become a Bay News 9 Traffic Watcher! Click here to request more information.




©2003 Bay News 9
A Bright House Networks exclusive
 
Please scroll down on my prior post to read the article. Sorry, I am on a learning curve with computers. I am a stone age person at the age of 43. Bruce Stephenson.
 
hehe No problem, we're all still learning something about something, so you'll pick it all up in no time :)

Would you happen to have the URL handy for the originally published article at Bay News 9's site?
 
Get involved folks.

I just finished a letter to the commissioners. I was sure to include the facts that I am a public school teacher in FL, and a member of the board of directors for the Central FL Herpetological Society. We need to make sure we let these people know that any such ban, will effect thousands of their constituents not just a few "weirdos" who don't vote anyway.

If you do decide to become involved DO NOT berate these people. Educate, involve, and interest them. Nothing hurts our cause more than emails full of curse words telling them how stupid they are. Let your leaders know that your right to keep reptiles is just as important you, as someone elses right to keep a dog or cat.
 
Great start Brian - where can we send correspondence? thanks, Joe Rollo

'soon i'll have to register and license and vaccinate and warn the whole neighborhood about my goldfish!'
 
Plan to Ban Reptiles in ALL OF FLORIDA IS REVEALED BY COUNTY ATTORNEY

A friend who is a very long time, nationally known reptile dealer and breeder spoke to the Hillsborough County Attorney by phone today 10/15/03. The County Attorney said that while the State of Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission had constitutional authority over wildlife that this is a limitation on all the Counties in Florida's abilities to impose Countywide bans on exotic pets.
Therefore the Hillsborough County Attorney was going to start contacting all the other County Attorneys in Florida to find a method of removing the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission's Authority over the regulation of exotic pets.
After seizing this authority by a statewide vote to change the Constitution, or some other legal manuever, all the counties and cities in Florida could then ban all exotic pets and issue their own permits, licenses, and regulations.
I have doubly questioned my friend and he has assured me that this interview took place and is truthful. I leave it for everyone to decide for themselves, as he did not wish his name to be published at this time.
 
As soon as I hear of an outcome of the Hillsborough County Commission meeting to ban reptiles and exotic pets, I will put it here on the BOI.
It is extremely interesting to note that on that day 10/15/03, The television stations began contacting various reptile breeders and dealers to get TV interviews on what they thought of the upcoming ban. Most, like myself, were stuck at work because of the lack of notice about the ban. However, I promise to gather in-depth information and provide it to everyone here.
Thank You ALL for your help and interest, Bruce Stephenson
 
I might be jumping the gun since we don't know the full story about the mamba envenomation, but I have to respectfully disagree with both the assertion that this will result in both the banning of herps in FL and the insinuation that Mr Anderson is grossly irresponsible.

1) What would lead you to think that this event will result in the banning of herps? This isn't exactly the first time that a person has been envenomated by a captive snake. Is there something special about this case that makes it different from all the rest?

2) From the article, it appears that Mr Anderson has a Venomous Reptile License. To obtain this license, he had to show 1,000 hours of hands-on experience with venomous reptiles, have at least two references, and be inspected by Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. From this, it could be a reasonable assumption that his enclosures and snake room met, at the very least, the state requirements.

3) If the state requirements for housing venomous reptiles were met, then there was no danger to his wife and children. Also, having children doesn't necessarily preclude one from responsibly keeping hots.
 
Ken, I acknowledge the points you've made.
However, I have some reasoning behind my statement. I have some disturbing news. Mr. Anderson has claimed to a friend of mine and his that he has filmed two documenteries recently.
They are reenactments filmed by National Geographic, and one for Animal Planet.
My friend claims that Mr. Anderson stated that he swallowed some powerful prescription drugs for the documenteries to duplicate the medication he was on at the time of the mamba feeding.
What treatment will these shows give to their narrations?
Will there be a state or national backlash?
We can only hope for the best. And I hope that you are the one who is right. And I hope that my friend is completely mistaken.
 
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