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URGENT: Senate Panel approves Python ban, S373

Here's questions that I recommend every one add into the letters and phone calls they make:

What would happen to every python/constrictor that is currently owned if they are made illegal? Are the owners supposed to euthanize them all or set them free? :sidestep:
 
bekers71 said:
Here's questions that I recommend every one add into the letters and phone calls they make:

What would happen to every python/constrictor that is currently owned if they are made illegal? Are the owners supposed to euthanize them all or set them free? :sidestep:
Click to expand...

I think the legislation states that people's pets will remain their responsibility and that intrastate trade is not affected. It's not that the snakes become illegal, it's moving them across state lines that does.

I, for one, wouldn't mind seeing an examination of stricter importation laws. As a general rule, I worry about WC imports (and eggs) and what that's doing to wild populations of animals. But this intrastate transport business is ridiculous.
 
bekers71 said:
Here's questions that I recommend every one add into the letters and phone calls they make:

What would happen to every python/constrictor that is currently owned if they are made illegal? Are the owners supposed to euthanize them all or set them free? :sidestep:
Click to expand...

They won't be illegal, they will be illegal to sell interstate, or import from other countries, you can keep as many as you want. Breed as many as you want, but they can't leave your state.
 
I've posted some of this as my FB status, and have already had some people at least go to the site and vote NO! It might not mean much, but it's at least a help, and I'm glad to see some of my FB friends making an effort (as small as it may seem) to defend something I believe in.
 
RyanR said:
They won't be illegal, they will be illegal to sell interstate, or import from other countries, you can keep as many as you want. Breed as many as you want, but they can't leave your state.
Click to expand...

This is true, but the problem with these types of laws are that the supposed reason to ban these animals is because, 1 there aren't enough shelters for these types of pets & 2 that leads to a lot of them being released. Is making it illegal to take your snake(s) with you when your job tells you to move to another state if you wish to keep that job going to reduce the number of snakes being released?
 
Here's an update I just received in my e-mail. The bold is mine for emphasis.

UPDATE: S373 Python Ban

Today the Senate Committee on the Environment & Public Works (EPW) held a business meeting on S. 373. Committee Chair Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Ranking Member Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) presided. After brief statements the committee held a mark up session on S. 373, to amend title 18, United States Code, to add constrictor snakes of the species Python genera to the Injurious Wildlife list of the Lacey Act. Senator Inhofe expressed concerns about the bill. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) offered an amendment to limit the scope of the bill to only the 9 snakes addressed in the USGS report on large constrictors. Senator Cardin further agreed to work with Senator Inhofe to improve the bill prior to a vote on the Senate floor. The amendment was passed by voice vote. S373 was then voted out of Committee by voice vote with Senator Inhofe registering a NO vote.

S373 has now passed committee. It can not become law until it is voted on and passed by the full Senate and House of Representatives. There is still much work to be done prior to the Python Ban becoming law. S373 in its current form in unacceptable to USARK and the Reptile Nation. We will continue to work with Senator Inhofe, Senator Cardin and the EPW Committee Staff to shape the future of this bill. Please make an appointment to visit with your Senator and express your concerns with S373. Everyone needs to step up and make contact with your Senator. Let USARK know about your meeting. It is time to step up our game and show Washington we are serious about this. Continue the good fight. The Reptile Nation thanks Senator Inhofe for his even handed treatment of our industry.

Following is the statement of Ranking Member James Inhofe (R-OK):

Regarding S. 373, which is designed to ban the import and export of certain constrictor snakes, I believe we need to follow the process already established, which allows stakeholders to have input. Commonsense reforms are needed to prevent the proliferation, importation or breeding of species that would be harmful to ecosystems or human health and safety. We are setting a dangerous precedent of continuing to address these species outside of normal agency channels. Although I will not be offering an amendment today, I will support efforts on the floor to mitigate the negative effects to those snake owners and breeders who legally acquired their snakes, but through no fault of their own now find that their property is worth nothing.

S373 has been amended to include ONLY:

1. Python molurus
2. Broghammeras reticulatus
3. Python sebae
4. Python natalensis
5. Boa constrictor
6. Eunectes notaeus
7. Eunectes deschauenseei
8. Eunectes murinus
9. Eunectes beniensis
Click to expand...
 
If this passes, you can bet we're going to see news stories about upstanding citizens being arrested for moving their collections/ and or trading etc... across state lines. What a complete waste of tax-payer money, police, courts etc... not to mention the damage it will do to the people just want to keep snakes.
Of course I'm sure no one on the other side is voicing the ramifications of this bill being passed.
 
I feel sorry right now for people in the high-end boa business. As hopeful as I am that this gets shut down or re-written, I'm worried that the natural fear of snakes most Americans feel is going to win out over whats right. This is going to cost a lot of people a lot of time and money possibly... :(
 
starsevol said:
Robbie, I think you should. You are attractive, articulate and responsible. IMO a perfect person to speak out for this hobby and put a face to those of us who would be affected.
Click to expand...

*blush* Wow, thanks, Beth! I would definitely need to have a prepared speech. I'm not that good at winging it on camera.


EDIT: I just e-mailed one of the local news stations that covers all of central Florida. I sent it in as a "breaking news" tip, because I couldn't find out where else to contact them. And for the reptile nation, this IS breaking news. Heartbreaking, but still breaking.

The current legislation, S373, being pushed forward by Senator Nelson that would effectively take away American families livelihood. The bill would ban the import and interstate trade of the 9 large constrictor snakes, including the Burmese python, anacondas, and boa constrictors. The bill is trying to be pushed through at the federal level because of radical special interest groups (PETA and HSUS). These animals pose no threat in the hands of responsible, proper keepers. For more information, you can visit http://www.USARK.org . Thank you for your time.
Click to expand...
 
starsevol said:
Robbie, I think you should. You are attractive, articulate and responsible. IMO a perfect person to speak out for this hobby and put a face to those of us who would be affected.
Click to expand...

I would just like to second this! I have only known you a short time but I have read your posts, you seem to be very knowledgeable, reasonable, and all around nice. As a fellow Floridian, I think you would be a great example/representative. But definitely have a clear idea of what you want to say because while I don't know which news stations are out by you, I have to say I have not yet found any news station around me that isn't mostly hype, so that would be my only advice to choose your station carefully because obviously if you decide to do it, and if you can find a station that wants to cover it, you are going to want a station that will give you a fair story. If you decide to do it I wish you lots of luck.
 
starsevol said:
Robbie, I think you should. You are attractive, articulate and responsible. IMO a perfect person to speak out for this hobby and put a face to those of us who would be affected.
Click to expand...


Beth I could not have said it better if I had tried. Robbie you should consider it strongly. :)
 
I signed up on that open congress website. But every time I try to vote, it makes me log in again and is not registering my vote nor letting me "write to my senator". It is a perpetual loop of login/back to home page/try to vote/login again.
 
An outright ban is ludicrous.

However, I think that there probably should be some stricter limits on the larger snakes: burms, retics, etc. These animals grow to incredible sizes and can be extremely dangerous. I'm not so sure that just anyone and everyone should have access to them.
 
ArpeggioAngel said:
I signed up on that open congress website. But every time I try to vote, it makes me log in again and is not registering my vote nor letting me "write to my senator". It is a perpetual loop of login/back to home page/try to vote/login again.
Click to expand...
It did that to me too on the laptop..but then let me vote on the PC upstairs. Maybe just try again later.
 
ArpeggioAngel said:
I signed up on that open congress website. But every time I try to vote, it makes me log in again and is not registering my vote nor letting me "write to my senator". It is a perpetual loop of login/back to home page/try to vote/login again.
Click to expand...

I had that same problem. If you log in and go to the page to vote, look and see if you're logged in at the top. If you're not, refresh and see if that helps. It did the same thing for me, but I refreshed, and it had me as being logged in and let me vote. I hope that helps. :)
 
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