Nevada Exotic animal ban

[ER12]

Chimps' escape prompts push to ban exotic animals in Nevada

Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Long before Buddy and CJ escaped from their cage at home in Las Vegas, moves were underway to ban private ownership of exotic animals in residential neighborhoods.

According to State Senator Michael Roberson, "The Humane Society contacted me. They wanted to see this kind of legislation in Nevada based on what happened in Ohio last year when you had 50 or so wild animals intentionally set free."

Roberson says last week's episode highlights the need for legislation he's working on now.

He says, "Right now. you can have a wild animal that can be incredibly dangerous anywhere in Southern Nevada as long as you get a permit from Clark County. I'm going to try to stop that."

Wild animals ranging from primates to lions live in at least 14 county neighborhoods.

Until about a month ago, six tigers lived at 6775 Whispering Sands in the northwest part of the valley, but the next door neighbor says she was ok with that. She does not think private ownership of exotic animals should be banned.

The woman did not want to be identified, but tells Action News she was not afraid of the wild animals. She says, "They were locked down. There were several cages that they were into. It wasn't just one door that got in and out of there."

But cages are a concern.

There are no rules on what types of enclosures should be used for specific wild animals. Only animals involved in commercial ventures fall under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's purview. Buddy and CJ performed as Chimps-R-Us.

Even then, according to U.S.D.A. spokesman David Saxe, federal inspectors only check for health and safety under the Animal Welfare Act. Saxe says, if a private citizen wanted a tiger or a chimp as a pet, the U.S.D.A. would not be involved.

Roberson says he plans to have a draft of his exotic animal ban ready for the public to view within a couple of weeks. The U.S.D.A. will investigate Chimps-R-Us, and have a report ready for public view within 21 days of an inspection.
www.ktnv.com/news/local/162664626.html

[Kodieh]

I would be interested to see the specific language and net he casts with the legislation.

I wouldn't put it past him to write a general term like "all non-domesticated animals" or something, honestly.


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[Navy]

But-but-
Las Vegas.

Although I think certain animals shouldn't be kept as pets, I don't think they pose that big of a threat as people make them seem.

Instead of a ban, why not confiscate these animals that aren't properly housed?

There's too many people who want to ban things just because they don't understand them.

This goes for reptiles, wild cats and dogs, monkeys, and more.

It's a shame.

[Dragoon]

I personally don't like chimps as pets, but hell if they vote against reptile regulation I'll give them benefit of the doubt. The legislation in the first draft WILL be crap, it always is. the hope is for a second draft that is better. Since the democrats have control of the state senate and assembly and small business argument is unlikely to fly. The governor may agree with that argument especially if the draft effects the casinos.

[wolfy-hound]

Chimps have killed zero people in the US this year.

Dogs on the other hand....

Exotics do not pose the huge danger that the media and politicians and AR extremists want to imply. Even big cats... apes... venomous reptiles.. the bigger threats that people keep, when have you heard o them actually killing a member of the public?

The guy who owned those chimps has owned chimps for many years and hasn't had any issues... now they get loose and suspiciously no one can say HOW they got loose... so it's time to outlaw all exotics and gee, look who happens to be right there ready to push this law? HSUS. You can bet that a ban on exotics doesn't get written up overnight... so this wasn't a sudden "Oh no, loose chimps, we should draft a law!" incident.

[Kodieh]

Saying people shouldn't own chimps on your personal opinion is what USFWS did when they wrote up the reptile ban. Everyone has the right to do as they wish on their own homes as long as it abides by the current social norms. In their circle of friends, or forums, chimp keeping is a social norm.

But you are right, if they're willing to say no then they're an ally.


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