Do you think it's right for the US Government to take away our Pets?
By AShraderJr
@AShraderJr (156)
United States
January 13, 2010 11:45pm CST
I am a reptile enthusiast and breeder. I have kept and loved reptiles (particularly snakes) my entire life. The US Gov is trying to Ban Boa Constrictors and Large Python species because of the ignorance of some. Florida has become the star of the show in the Boa and Python ban. Many of us have heard of large snakes injuring or killing people. It's very unfortunate and in many cases very sad. Large pythons can be very dangerous when not handled properly. But so can horses, Buffalo, and Dogs if you aren't responsible in their training. The fact that they are contemplating this does not surprise me. Although the fact that many americans like myself make our living breeding Boa Constrictors and Pythons for the reptile community should be enough to make them rethink their decisions. And in a down economy the last thing on their minds should be eliminating more jobs. I want to know your opinion on whether or not Boa Constrictors and Large Pythons should be banned. And how would you feel if they took away your Horses, or Cat?
3 responses
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
16 Jan 10
I think the ban on them has as much to do with the effects they have on the ecology when they escape. In Florida after one of the hurricanes lots of them got away into the swamps where they're thriving & pushing out the native wildlife. Horses wouldn't be very much of a problem if they escaped.
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
16 Jan 10
Destroying what they already have is ludicrous. If they said that they could no longer be offered for sale that would be different. Then you wouldn't have new ones being breed & offered to the public. Of course like everything the government does it has to be done to excess. While I find it a valid concern someones trying to take it way to far.
@AShraderJr (156)
• United States
16 Jan 10
I am totally FOR controlled sale of large Pythons. They are VERY large, and can be VERY dangerous. But Boa constrictors are not. They are small enough that they can be controlled by one average size human, and they do not have the aggression that the larger pythons like the Reticulated Python do. I do understand the dangers. I breed them. I KNOW. I will not sell large snakes to ANYONE that cannot show extensive knowledge in their care. Thanks for your responses, I do appreciate your views!
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
16 Jan 10
Now we just need to set up a program where you train & monitor all the breeders. There are a lot of irresponsible breeders out there who are simply in it for the money. They'll sell to anyone whether they're qualified or not. That goes for lots of species, not just snakes. Even when you catch one of the poor puppy peddlers it's so hard to get anything done about it.
@jb78000 (15139)
•
31 Jan 10
i agree with most of the other responders here - i don't think they should be banned but licenses certainly should be introduced. it might be more so with large snakes but an awful lot of all kinds of animals are bought by people who don't have a clue what they are taking on, and have no idea what to when they discover they can't cope. i would actually advocate some kind of license for all animals (doesn't need to be paid for, something like a test would do), maybe starting off with dangerous or exotic ones but including all the others at some point.
@Gladi472 (82)
• Romania
16 Jan 10
They should make some sort of license for exotic pet users and only the ones that are competent should own such a pet.Now seriosly i understand your love for reptiles but personaly i'm very scared of them and by any chance one gets away and 2 days later you find on the news that your favorite pet injured someone what do you do?
