My opinion as to what animals should be banned to own by the average person, I believe that all constricting snakes, such as pythons, + boas, as well as all poisonous snakes should NOT be allowed to be kept in a home. I also believe that all of these type of snakes, as well as gila monsters, or any other poisonous reptiles should not be kept by any average person at home.

The ONLY persons that should be allowed to have these dangerous animals is a herpetologist, a zoo, or a person that milks a snake for it’s venom, to make
antivenin. The only time that these animals should be kept is under strict rules, + only with a permit. These snakes have NO reason to be in someone’s home, under ANY circumstances. They should always be in appropriate secure facility to guarantee prevention of escape.

As to protecting the environment from all foreign animals, if the paperwork was kept as for where, these animals go, + if to a pet shop, the paperwork should also reflect who purchased the animal, so that if the animal is found loose, it will be proof of the owner releasing the animal, + then that owner should be held accountable, + severely fined. If they can afford to purchase such an animal, they can afford the fines, if the animal causes damage to our environment.

It seems we should give each animal a microchip when it is brought into our country, then it will have a permanent no., so it can be kept track of no matter where in the U.S. that it goes.

Yes, we need some restrictions and controls. Yes there are some real issues out there. But why should we all be punished because of the carelessness of a few??

Do your part to save our pets. Please, I love all of ours: 3 UKC registered dogs, 2 cats, 2 different birds, several fresh and saltwater fish, and many reptiles. We do exhibits edcating as well as breeding a few animals that are close to extinction in hopes of reintroducing some species back into their natural habitat. Mind you, it was the human that has destroyed the places where some of these animals live. So what does that say about us?

“Green anoles have a stereotyped set of behaviors. Male anoles perform rituals of dominance and territoriality. They show their dominance by bobbing their heads, usually through pushup-like movements.”

Doesn’t that remind you of some of the guys who showed up at the 9th grade dance without a date?

Comment by Susan Fox — April 10, 2009 @ 5:31 pm

OMFG. I thought I was the only kid who ever did that.

Eighth grade. I thought my English teacher (whom I loved) was going to have a coronary when my “jewelry” moved.

I loved that little guy. I want one.

“any cat (Felis catus), cattle or oxen (Bos taurus), chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), dog (Canis lupus familiaris), donkey or ass (Equus asinus), domesticated members of the family Anatidae (geese), duck (domesticated Anas spp.), goat (Capra aegagrus hircus), goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus),horse (Equus caballus), llama (Lama glama), mule or hinny (Equus caballus x E. asinus), pig or hog (Sus scrofa domestica), domesticated varieties of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), or sheep (Ovis aries)….”

First of all, lovely selective quoting to include dogs and cats when we’ve repeatedly said they’re not impacted by this.

The second part, Gina already said. Read the bill. Creating a “guilty until proven innocent” list is exactly what I’m objecting to here. It’s bad law, and it’s bad science.