Say NO to Ohio Reptile Ban TODAY!

HB 352 sponsored by Representative Debbie Phillips and introduced in Ohio would BAN most all snakes, and all crocodilians. HB 352 is a jerk knee reaction to a recent suicide andsubsequent animal release of lions, tigers and bears in Zanesville Ohio. It is the result of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) exploiting this tragedy to further their agenda of endingall animal ownership and use by providing Ohio Legislators and Department of Natural Resources with misinformation regarding reptiles. There were no reptiles involved in the animal release atZanesville.

Although there is a moderate occupational risk in working with certain reptiles, historically and statistically there is virtually zero public safety risk. Working with traditional livestock andpets presents far more risk than working with reptiles. 35 people per year are killed by dogs in the US. The efforts by HSUS to inflame this situation in Ohio, and sensationalize it through the mediais reprehensible and irresponsible. No one was actually hurt in the incident and NO reptiles were involved. HSUS is engaging in scare tactics in an attempt to force their ideology into law inOhio.

The reptile industry in Ohio represents approximately $30 million in annual trade, thousands of jobs and upwards of 100,000 animals in Ohio. USARK OPPOSES HB 352. It is poorlywritten and demonstrates what poor information the bill's sponsor has received from HSUS. USARK asks that ALL reptile be removed from HB 352.

Click here to OPPOSE HB 352 TODAY and send an email to the Bill Sponsor: http://usark.org/campaign.php?id=27

Click here to read HB 352: www.usark.org/uploads/Ohio-HB352.pdf

USARK says NO ON HB 352!

I sent the email...im not from ohio though, hope i helped anyways!

Email Sent :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mues155

I sent the email...im not from ohio though, hope i helped anyways!

---

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH !

I wish for you much peace , happiness !
Shalom,
Yosef ....in Ohio

I just sent my e-mail ! I don't want my pet taken from me !!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by YOSEF

I just sent my e-mail ! I don't want my pet taken from me !!!!

---

I sent the e-mail as well. I hope we make a difference and they don't try to take away your pets. :tears:

Thank You to anyone who sends in there e-mails! :salute:

Sent.
Even if I am from Wa, anti reptile legislation is harmful to all who wish to keep reptiles, this needs to be fought, and not allowed to set further example to other states and localities.

Done, and done.

Let's hope we continue our successful streak against these rediculous bills.

Both my wife and myself sent him emails. We will also be posting this on our Facebook pages.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by YOSEF

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH !

I wish for you much peace , happiness !
Shalom,
Yosef ....in Ohio

---

of course! If this was happening in my state I would love the support from everyone. Even though our pets are scaley they are still FAMILY!

I also posted this on my facebook!
Good luck guys!
Keep us posted

Sent email, stupid politicians need to be educated about reptiles before being allowed to make these kind of laws <.<

Email sent with threat to take my tax dollars into Michigan (Just don't tell them we were planning on moving there anyways). Also posted on my facebook!
Thanks to all who are showing their support!

I sent an email as well, not from Ohio, but this community needs to stick together through this, whether it directly affects us or not. Let's hope this speaks loudly...

:salute::salute::salute::salute::salute::salute:I understand whats going on in the everglades. But to both people in Ohio? Proves they ran out of real stuff to do...

Working Group Executive Summary to restrict all Boidae and Pythonidae:
http://ohiodnr.com/downloads/restric...-framework.pdf

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ER12

Working Group Executive Summary to restrict all Boidae and Pythonidae:
http://ohiodnr.com/downloads/restric...-framework.pdf

---

So, I guess we can't own boas or pythons in Ohio past June 30th 2014.

This is absurd. I know what state I'm not living in. Ever.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wh00h0069

So, I guess we can't own boas or pythons in Ohio past June 30th 2014.

---

It's not over yet ! After talking with a friend of mine recently, he informed me that the bill goes to be signed / rejected on the 30th of this month.....

The bill could undergo further revision ( hopefully for us ! ) that MAY allow some pythons and some boas to still be kept.

However, I was also informed that if this bill passes we will lose every python / boa no matter what size they can grow to.

I asked about permits and was told that permits were not going to be for private ownership, only for institutions deemed acceptable by the state.

I HATE HAVING TO FACE THE POSSIBILITY OF LOSING MY BELOVED PET !

That is all the info I have at this moment.

Shalom
Yosef.....in the illogical state of Ohio !

They're banning ALL species of boas and pythons! Thats ridiculous!

I also saw felines. Did they ban cats?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by YOSEF

It's not over yet ! After talking with a friend of mine recently, he informed me that the bill goes to be signed / rejected on the 30th of this month.....

The bill could undergo further revision ( hopefully for us ! ) that MAY allow some pythons and some boas to still be kept.

However, I was also informed that if this bill passes we will lose every python / boa no matter what size they can grow to.

I asked about permits and was told that permits were not going to be for private ownership, only for institutions deemed acceptable by the state.

I HATE HAVING TO FACE THE POSSIBILITY OF LOSING MY BELOVED PET !

That is all the info I have at this moment.

Shalom
Yosef.....in the illogical state of Ohio !

---

Maybe they should ban politicians. I would vote for that.

eMAIL SENT

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kittycatpenut

I also saw felines. Did they ban cats?

---

Yeah, I was wondering that too. I don't know squat about cats, but I know a LOT of people who have them. Normally I would say I can't believe they would ban house cats and dogs, but now I really don't know.

If this ban goes into effect, we will be buying some land in Wyoming before Jan 1st, 2014. See ya Ohio! :mad:

E-mailed them as well from out of state, sending the link to family/friends so they can do the same. Good luck fighting the lame propaganda.

Just sent it. It really surprises me that so many americans are willing to give up their freedoms at the drop of a hat.

Only & first response I've gotten to-date:

Quote:

---

Dear Ms. Gath,

Thank you for writing to share your thoughts on HB 352. As I stated to the media, and to local stakeholders, including owners and breeders of reptiles, I view the Strickland executive order language as a good starting place, and I am open to recommendations for improvement. I enjoyed the opportunity to participate in a meeting of Governor Kasich's workgroup, and appreciate the direction those recommendations are taking. I do intend to make some changes to the bill as it moves through the legislative process, and I welcome your suggestions on ways to improve it. Thanks again for taking the time to get involved, and help work toward good public policy in Ohio.


Sincerely,
Debbie Phillips

Representative Debbie Phillips
Ohio House District 92
77 South High Street, 11th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 466-2158 (office phone)
(614) 719-6992 (fax)
District92@ohr.state.oh.us

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sgath92

Only & first response I've gotten to-date:

---

I just got the same response.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kinra

I just got the same response.

---

x2 I just got the same exact message but with my name. She's sending mass emails like we did.

I responded to that same email asking if she was also going to propose banning all dogs then try to tell pet owners that it's okay "We'll probably change the law before it passes so it only bans certain dogs..."

It's ridiculous and they always try to say "Oh we'll revise it so YOU won't be affected" in hopes that everyone will shut up and let them pass the full ban laws whole.

I personally think someone should propose legislation banning ALL DOGS and see how outraged pet owners get, then use that outrage to bring attention to the unfairness of banning so many pets just on the basis of one or two small incidents that did not involve any human deaths.

The email does list her phone number, it's harder [but not impossible] to pretend to care on a phone call. But if you really want to get her attention someone could go meet her in person. Go to the office in person and book an appointment. Insist on it, and don't let them say no.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

I responded to that same email asking if she was also going to propose banning all dogs then try to tell pet owners that it's okay "We'll probably change the law before it passes so it only bans certain dogs..."

It's ridiculous and they always try to say "Oh we'll revise it so YOU won't be affected" in hopes that everyone will shut up and let them pass the full ban laws whole.

I personally think someone should propose legislation banning ALL DOGS and see how outraged pet owners get, then use that outrage to bring attention to the unfairness of banning so many pets just on the basis of one or two small incidents that did not involve any human deaths.

---

We need to be careful in what we say to politicians because sometimes the things we say actually hurt us more than they help us. We need to be very professional about this or we are going to hinder our efforts.

Please be careful with the e-mails you send.

Edit: That was directed at everyone not just you wolfy-hound.

Don't worry, I phrased it in a professional manner. But the content was the same, pointing out that most domestic pets cause more deaths per year than all deaths from exotics.

I'm pretty good at pointing out that someone is a mouth breathing idiot without sounding rude.

I sent my email. Lets keep this bumped, everyone on this forum should be sending this email regardless of where they live. It could be your state next!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

I responded to that same email asking if she was also going to propose banning all dogs then try to tell pet owners that it's okay "We'll probably change the law before it passes so it only bans certain dogs..."

It's ridiculous and they always try to say "Oh we'll revise it so YOU won't be affected" in hopes that everyone will shut up and let them pass the full ban laws whole.

I personally think someone should propose legislation banning ALL DOGS and see how outraged pet owners get, then use that outrage to bring attention to the unfairness of banning so many pets just on the basis of one or two small incidents that did not involve any human deaths.

---

You are 100% right ! Try banning dogs , cats and watch the insanity start.....but it won't happen because they are " cute "......

It also helps to point out that these "exotics" are our PETS, not some object in legislation. Just like they love to come home to their cocker spaniel, we love our snakes and other exotic pets. Just because it's not a dog or cat, doesn't mean we don't care about it or care for it properly.

Received a reply.

Quote:

---

Dear Mr. Brown,

Thank you for writing to share your thoughts on HB 352. As I stated to the media, and to local stakeholders, including owners and breeders of reptiles, I view the Strickland executive order language as a good starting place, and I am open to recommendations for improvement. I enjoyed the opportunity to participate in a meeting of Governor Kasich's workgroup, and appreciate the direction those recommendations are taking. I do intend to make some changes to the bill as it moves through the legislative process, and I welcome your suggestions on ways to improve it. Thanks again for taking the time to get involved, and help work toward good public policy in Ohio.

Sincerely,

Debbie Phillips

Representative Debbie Phillips

Ohio House District 92

77 South High Street, 11th Floor

Columbus, OH 43215

(614) 466-2158 (office phone)

(614) 719-6992 (fax)

District92@ohr.state.oh.us<mailto:District92@ohr.st ate.oh.us>

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Maixx

Received a reply.

---

I received the same exact reply from the same person :rolleyes: I'm considering making phone calls. Here's a list of Ohio reps who are for the bill if anyone is interested :)
Debbie Phillips (614-466-2158)

Nickie Antonio (614-466-5921)

Mike Ashford (614-466-1401)

Nancy Garland (614-644-6002)

Tom Letson (614-466-5358)

Dennis Murray (614-644-6011)

Sean O'Brien (614-466-3488)

Dan Ramos (614-466-5141)

Matt Szollosi (614-466-1418)

Teresa Fedor (614-644-6017)

Jay Goyal (614-466-5802)

Here is a link to the Final Report.
[URL="http://www.ohiodnr.com/downloads/FINALREPORT-113011.pdf"]http://www.ohiodnr.com/downloads/FINALREPORT-113011.pdf[/URL

I don't really know how to properly respond at this point. We took a hit, but avoided some damage.

Blah...Just blah.

Here's a quoted post from another forum.

Quote:

---

here's a link to the workgroup's final report. from here, legislation will be drafted that (hopefully) adheres to the recommendations in this report. HB352 will likely be dropped in favor of a new bill.

ohiodnr.com/downloads/FINALREPORT-113011.pdf

the EXTREMELY broad definition of "dangerous exotic animal" has been narrowed down some in this final report. boas and most pythons are no longer on the list, however burms, retics, rocks, anacondas are still on it. there is a caveat to that, though... the workgroup recommended that the OH dept of ag be given authority to add WHATEVER ANIMALS THEY DEEM NECESSARY to the list after it's finalized. THAT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS for ALL of us.

once the bill hits committee, there will be a couple of committee meetings to discuss the bill and any changes that the committee deems necessary. these meetings will be OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, and PUBLIC TESTIMONY will also be permitted provided notice is given in advance to the committee chairman.

simply put, WE NEED TO FLOOD THESE MEETINGS, and the more eloquent of us need to prepare testimonies. there will be relatively short notice of when the new bill(s) will be presented in committee, so if you're nearby you may need to burn a sick day at work or whatever, but we NEED people to be there when this happens! i cannot stress the importance of this enough!

once the new bill is submitted and assigned to a committee, i'll post it here. from there, you can get onto a notification list that will give you about 4 or 5 days warning about when the bill will be discussed.

if you have any questions, let me know. stay tuned...

reptiles do NOT belong on this list. PERIOD.

---

-dangles

What happened to USARK page?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Virus

Here's a quoted post from another forum.



-dangles

---

That's Great!!

Exotic-animal ban may have too big a bite for lawmakers
A proposed ban on private ownership of exotic animals in Ohio beginning Jan. 1, 2014, ran into legislative opposition as soon as it arrived yesterday.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stor...ig-a-bite.html

So far still no 2nd response, not even another automated one.