Anaheim CA exotic animal ban

The Issue:
The Anaheim, California City Council has proposed an ordinance, adding a new chapter to the Anaheim Municipal Code, prohibiting the possession and sale of certain exotic animals. This ordinance does provide a specific list of these animals. The proposal was formally introduced at the September 25th meeting of the City Council and could be on the agenda for a public hearing at the Council’s next meeting on October 9th.
The Impact:
The proposed ordinance defines a “wild and exotic animal” as “a non-domestic animal” and includes the orders and families of animals described in the act. Of special note to pet owners are venomous snakes and snakes over 8 feet in length. The Board plans to ban any Anaheim resident from possessing or displaying these animals. The proposal exempts the following persons or entities from the ban:
 Reptile Shows held at the Anaheim Convention Center
 A veterinarian (for the purposes of providing medical treatment to exotic animals); or
 A public zoo or aquarium accredited by the AZA;
Anyone found in violation of this ordinance is subject to imprisonment of not more than six months and fines up to $1,000.
PIJAC Position:
PIJAC supports reasonable regulation of animals that may pose a threat to public health or safety, but does not believe absolute bans are sound public policy. However, PIJAC opposes this legislation because it will stop pet owners from enjoying their pets that pose no meaningful risk to the public.
PET INDUSTRY JOINT ADVISORY COUNCIL (PIJAC)
1146 19th Street, NW, Ste 350, Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 452-1525 / (800) 553-PETS, info@pijac.org
Sept. 26, 2012
(CA – Anaheim Exotic Animal Ordinance)
It may be appropriate in rare cases to restrict ownership of certain species not generally kept as pets to persons with the specific knowledge and facilities to properly maintain them. Furthermore, such bans drive business underground, thereby depriving the government of effective regulation, and eliminate the safe and responsible ownership of animals by those with the knowledge and resources necessary for such ownership.
Recommended Action:
Call or write the Anaheim City Council and tell them to vote “NO” on the pet ban ordinance.
Anaheim City Council
Tom Tait – Mayor
Harry S. Sidhu, P.E. – Mayor Pro Tempore
Lorri Galloway – Council Member
Gail E. Eastman – Council Member
Kris Murray – Council Member
All City Council Members may be reached by calling (714) 765-5247 or by email at: citycouncil@anaheim.net.
Correspondence to City Council Members should be addressed to:
Anaheim City Hall
200 S. Anaheim Blvd. – 7th Floor
Anaheim, CA 92805
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact PIJAC’s Bambi Nicole Osborne at 202-452-1525, ext. 105 or via email at Bambi@pijac.org.
http://pijac.org/_documents/ca_anahe...al_ban_alt.pdf

Hmm..lets ban sale and ownership of snakes....except when the big money making event comes to our city.

Greediest BS. I hope the NARBC show moves because of this

ANAHEIM -- The councilwoman who proposed a ban on the use of elephants and other exotic animals for entertainment pulled the proposal at the last minute Tuesday, saying that more time is needed to study the issue.

The proposal gained widespread attention -- the city received more than 3,000 emails and phone calls, predominantly from animal-rights advocates -- because it would have meant an end to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus annual run in Anaheim.

Councilwoman Lorri Galloway, who had requested the ban, said at the start of the 5 p.m. council meeting that some leading advocates of the prohibition urged her to pull the proposal until they could ensure it would have the desired effect.

"I don't do this -- stand up for something -- and then back off," Galloway said. But, she said, she did so with "deep regret," because more time is needed to refine the law.

It's unclear if the issue will come back for consideration. Galloway's term on the City Council ends in November, and she is termed out.

Galloway's announcement disappointed many in the crowd who came to support the ban, driving to Anaheim from as far as Pasadena and Thousand Oaks. More than two dozen still spoke to the council and said they will continue to push for a ban in Anaheim.

"Anaheim would be making a powerful statement by implementing a ban on exotic animals," said Teri Huff of Pasadena. "I hope they'll still go forward with it, and other cities will follow suit."
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Animal rights advocates say that training elephants, tigers and other animals to perform is inhumane. Circus officials deny those charges and say animal care is closely watched and heavily regulated.

Officials from the Honda Center came to speak against the proposed ban. City leaders estimated that the circus brought $1.3 million in gross revenue to the city during its 10-day run last year and provides a valuable source of employment for hundreds of employees. About 140,000 people attended the circus in Anaheim last year.

Others who came to speak said they think the proposed city law is a bad idea.

"Yes, the animals need to be treated right," said Chris Gollans, 54, of Anaheim. "But get veterinarians and health officials to make sure that happens. Not an all-out ban. That makes no sense."


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49173218.../#.UG1O8VEt2Sq