Wv hb 4393

This is copied from a fb status, please help spread the word...please...I dont want my snakes to be illegal...please

To all friends W.V. in its ignorance has passed HB 4393 the exotic animal ban and it will now go to the Governor to either sign it into law or be smarter and veto it. So I am reaching out reaching out asking for you to call the Governor office and vote against it. They will ask you are you for or against all you have to say is against. You will not be asked if you live in WV or you shouldn't be. Number to call is 1-304-558-2000

While I know this is a great and worthy cause, maybe the original author on facebook should have taken the time to proof read their work. That fb post reads like it was written by a 3rd grader. Is this really what we want to portray to the non-herping world?

You can also comment online at http://www.governor.wv.gov/Pages/Sub...eGovernor.aspx

This bill sped through the Senate and then the House today, so things are moving quickly enough that proofreading alerts was less important than getting the word out that calls were desperately needed. USARK can't be everywhere.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

You can also comment online at http://www.governor.wv.gov/Pages/Sub...eGovernor.aspx

---

I left a comment.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

proofreading alerts was less important than getting the word out that calls were desperately needed.

---

I whole heartedly disagree. Words ALWAYS matter, and the key element of communication is that the message sent must be understood by the receiver. The manner in which a message is sent is every bit as important as the message itself, on every level. Our cause is not furthered when we present ourselves as uneducated.

The governor signed HB4393 into law today.

What a sad day for the animals.

Well now the game begins... Run under the radar for a bit and hope that when he gets out a person open to reason gets in.

All boa species, retics, rocks, and hots (somehow they skipped burms...guess I need to get a few of them before they get added)All I have to say is some of my pets are the same as family members....try to come to my house and take a family member and things might get pretty hairy pretty quick

West Virginia HB 4393 was signed by Governor Tomblin today and will now go into law. Species will not be listed until the newly-created “Dangerous Wild Animals Board” (consisting of Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources and Director of the Division of Natural Resources, or their representatives) comprise a detailed list. As of right now, there is only a list of categories of animals that may or may not be included:

The list below is not final or illegal, just categories that were proposed:

(A) Bears;
(B) Big cats;
(C) Canids;
(D) Primates;
(E) Constrictor snakes greater than six feet, and venomous snakes; and
(F) Alligators and caimans;

The DWA Board will propose rules for legislative approval, including a list of prohibited species and caging standards. A “dangerous wild animal” (DWA) must be dangerous to humans, other animals or the environment and capable of doing significant harm.

A good lawyer could argue that our individual captive breed animals are not, and never have been wild. Lawyers make a living in the grey area created by non-specific language.

Depends on what your definition of "is" is...

http://www.journal-news.net/page/con....html?nav=5006

As a native west virginian i am outraged. this bill is ridiculous i wonder how much permits will be

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KING JAMES

Well now the game begins... Run under the radar for a bit and hope that when he gets out a person open to reason gets in.

---

"It is the responsibility of every citizen to ignore dumb laws."

You see it all the time with ball pythons in NYC, apparently. Like with what's going on with marijuana, the more people who are unable or refusing to follow the draconian law, and harder it is to enforce it, the more lawsuits and protests that are made (seriously, go downtown and make your voice heard) the more the law will be tampered with to suit the citizen's needs if you actually make it out to be a big deal for everyone. It's about time the pet community got together and caused some ruckus anyway. Let's all get organized nationwide for a change - what else are we going to do as our rights are peeled away from us?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eazyyyb

http://www.journal-news.net/page/con....html?nav=5006

---

David is a good guy and I've been to his store often. Got a few snakes - king and garters - from him also. I don't doubt this will affect his business.

The fun of it is that most of us dont give two :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:s about what they want to call a law...come to my house and try to take what is mine and the last sound you will hear is a firing pin hitting a primer ( I assume they have good hearing)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

David is a good guy and I've been to his store often. Got a few snakes - king and garters - from him also. I don't doubt this will affect his business.

---

ive been there a few times to this will hurt a lot of reptile-based pet stores

There's a public meeting in Flatwoods, WV on April 12th to determine the appointees to the board. We'll have a better idea of how things will go for exotics once we find out who these people are, and their backgrounds.

Do you happen to have the location and time on that. Would be interested in going.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KING JAMES

Do you happen to have the location and time on that. Would be interested in going.

---

Not yet, it'll be posted in the "WV Reptile Watch" FB group.

My husband also wants to go, maybe you could car pool b/c it'll be about a 4 hour drive from us.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

Not yet, it'll be posted in the "WV Reptile Watch" FB group.

My husband also wants to go, maybe you could car pool b/c it'll be about a 4 hour drive from us.

---

Update: we're not going. What was described to me initially as a public meeting/info session has turned out to be a PETA-phile convention that requires pre-registration and a $65 entry fee to attend.