WV: List of proposed "dangerous wild animals" to be released later this week

http://www.charlestondailymail.com/article/20140609/DM01/140609217/1298

Article is absurd, I won't even comment on the first word in it, I had no idea that dolphins or whales in pools had ever been a problem in this state, and as for putting sugar gliders on the list... sheer idiocy.

Now I know why WV is considered to have the lowest-educated population of all the states.

http://www.charlestondailymail.com/a...140619767/1276

So, the list is now out but no one except the HSUS and the newspapers has managed to snag a copy yet. The claimed link to the list in the article is broken.

My take: HSUS is not happy that WV is stepping outside of HSUS's agenda when creating the ban list.

The link works if you have google drive...Its not a pretty list

If the link is not working for anyone who wants to see it here is is in all its glory...

Class Amphibia (Amphibians)
Order Gymnophonia (Caecilians)
All species
Order Caudata
All species (native species which are covered by Chapter 20)
Order Anura (Frogs and Toads)
Famiy Pipidae (African clawed frogs)
All species
Family Hylidae (tree frogs)
All species (Native species are covered by Chapter 20.)
Family Bufonidae (cane toads)
All species (Native species are covered by Chapter 20.)
Justification
The listed amphibians present threat of disease introduction (chytridiomycosis, ranavirus) and/or
possess invasive characteristics. Some animals also secrete toxins harmful to humans.
Class Aves (Birds)
Monk or Quaker parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)
Cuckoo (Family Cuculidae)
Sky lark (Alauda arvensis)
Fruit thrushes or bulbuls (Family Pycnonotidae)
Red-whiskered bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus)
European blackbird (Turdus merula)
Mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorous)
Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris)
Song thrush (Turdus philomena)
White eyes (Genus Zosterops)
Weaver birds (Genus Ploceus)
Madagascar weaver (Foudia madagascariensis)
Weaver finches (Genus Passer)
Dioch or Red-billed quelea (Quelea quelea)
Cowbirds except native species (Genus Molothrus)
Blackbirds except native species (Genus Quiscalus)
Yellowhammer (Emberiza citronella)
Java sparrow (Padda oryzivora/Lonchura oryzivora)
Spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata)
Starlings (Family Sturnidae)
1
Pink starling (Sturnus roseus)
Justification
These are social species that easily adapt to new environments and become nuisances by developing
large populations, outcompeting native species, and causing agricultural damage.
Class Reptilia (Reptiles)
Order Tuatara (Rhyncocephala)
All species
Order Crocodilia (Crocodiles, caimans, gharials)
All species
Order Testudines (Turtles)
All species (Native species are covered by Chapter 20.)
*Refer to Title 21 CFR 1240.62 (Public Health Services Act) for carapace size restrictions
Justification
Turtles are restricted because they present the threat of disease to humans and introducing disease in
to the natural environment and for the welfare of the animals.
Order Squamata (snakes and lizards)
Family Varanidae (monitors)
Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus)
Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
Family Elapidae (Cobras, mambas, sea snakes,etc.)
All species
Family Viperidae
All species except timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)and copperhead (Agkistron contortix) which are
covered by Chapter 20.
Family Colubridae
Genus Rhabdophis (keelback snakes)
All species
2
Genus Boiga (cat snakes)
All species
Genus Thelotornis (twig snakes)
Genus Dispholidus (boomslang)
Boomslang (Dispholidus typus)
Family Atractispididae (mole vipers)
All species
Family Boidae
Genus Eunectes (anacondas)
All species
Genus Python (Pythons)
Burmese (Indian) python (Python molurus)
North African Rock python (Python sebae)
South African Rock python (Python natalensis)
Reticulated python (Broghammerus reticulatus) P. reticulatus
Genus Morelia
Amethystine python (Morelia amethystine)
Justification
These snakes possess venom and/or extreme size and strength and present a threat to humans and
pets.
Class Malacostraca (Crayfish)
Order Decapoda
Family Cambaridae
Genus Orconectes
Virile crayfish (Orconectes virilis)
Rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus)
3
Genus Procambarus
Red lobster, Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)
Justification
Virile and Rusty crayfish are highly invasive and currently established in West Virginia. Red swamp
crayfish are very highly invasive and established in NW Ohio and the C&O canal but not yet in WV. All
species are sold to schools through biological supply companies.
Class Gastropoda (Snails)
Family Viviparidae
Genus Bellamya
Chinese Mystery Snail (Bellamya (Cipangopaludina) chinensis)
Family Spiraxidae
Genus Euglandina
Rosy wolf snail (Euglandina rosea)
Family Achatinidae
Genus Achatina
Giant African land snail (Achatina fulica)
Gian African land snail (Achatina achatina)
Genus Archachatina
African Giant Snail (Archachatina marginata)
Family Hydrobiidae
Genus Potamopyrgus
New Zealand Mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum)
Family Bithyniidae
Genus Bithynia
Faucet snail (Bithynia tentaculata)
Justification
4
These snails are introduced through pet stores, biological supply companies, and in ship ballast. They
present health risks to humans, threaten wildlife habitat, and potentially threaten aquatic life.
Class Bivalvia (Bivalves)
Order Veneroida
Family Dreissenidae
Genus Dreissena
Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)
Quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis)
Family Corbiculidae
Genus Corbicula
Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea)
Justification
Zebra mussels, Quagga mussels, and Asiatic clams invade, occupy, and degrade vast areas of aquatic
habitat. They colonize and impair navigation structures, water control structures (e.g. locks), and water
intake pipes.
Class Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Order Cyprinodontiformes
Family Poeciliidae
Genus Gambusia
Mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis)
Order Tetraodontiformes (trigger fish, file fish, puffer fish)
All species
Order Perciformes
Family Gobiidae (Goby family)
All species
5
Family Channidae
Genus Channa (snakehead fish)
All species
Order Cypriniformes
Family Cobitidae
Genus Misgurnus
Oriental weatherfish (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)
Order Characiformes (piranha fish, tiger fish)
All species
Order Siluriformes (candiru catfish, walking catfish)
All spec ies
Justification
These species present health (toxin) and safety risks to humans or have invasive abilities that threaten
native fish populations.
Class Mammalia (Mammals)
Order Primates
All species except those in family Hominidae
Order Edentata (sloths, anteaters, armadillos, etc.)
All species.
Order Didelphimorphia (marsupials or pouched mammals)
All species.
Order Insectivora (shrews, moles, hedgehogs, etc.)
All species.
Order Dermoptera (gliding lemurs)
6
All species.
Order Chiroptera (bats)
All species.
Order Monotremata (spiny anteaters, platypuses)
All species.
Order Pholidota (pangolins, scaly anteaters)
All species.
Order Lagomorpha (pikas, rabbits, hares)
All species, except domesticated races of rabbits and those subject to Chapter 20
Order Rodentia (rodents)
All species, except domesticated golden hamsters, also known as Syrian hamster, Mesocricetus auratus;
domesticated races of rats or mice (white or albino; trained, dancing or spinning, laboratory-reared);
and domestic strains of guinea pig (Cavia porcellus).
Order Carnivora (carnivores)
All species except domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) and domestic cats (Felis catus) and species subject
to Chapter 20. Hybrid crosses between two species in Order Carnivora (including domestic species) are
also prohibited.
Order Tubulidentata (aardvarks)
All species.
Order Proboscidea (elephants)
All species.
Order Hyracoidea (hyraxes)
All species.
Order Sirenia (dugongs, manatees)
All species.
7
Order Perissodactyla (horses, tapirs, rhinoceroses, etc.) except domestic horses, mustangs,
donkeys, and mules.
All species except those of the family Equidae.
Order Artiodactyla (swine, peccaries, giraffes, camels, deer, elk, moose, antelopes, cattle, goats,
sheep, etc.) All species except: domestic swine of the family Suidae; except elk, deer, American bison,
which are subject to Chapter 20 and domestic cattle, sheep and goats of the family Bovidae;
Order Afrosoricidae (golden moles, tenrecs)
All species
Order Diprotodontia (sugar gliders)
All species
Order Cingulata (New World armadillos)
All species
Order Macroscelidae (elephant shrews)
All species
Order Pilosa (3 toed sloths)
All species
Order Macroscelidae (elephant shrews)
All species
Order Scandentia (tree shrews)
All species
Order Soricomorpha (shrews)
All species except those species addressed by Chapter 20.
Order Dasyuromorphia (Tasmanian Devils, numbats, etc.)
All species
Order Peramelemorphia (bandicoots, bilbys)
8
All species
Order Erinaceomorphia (African pygmy hedgehogs)
All species
Order Microbiotheria (monito del monte)
All species
Order Cetacea (whales, dolphins)
All species
Order Notoryctemorphia (marsupial moles)
All species
Order Paucituberculata (shrew possums)
All species
Justifications
Mammals of the orders Primates, Edentata, Didelphimorphia, Insectivora, Dermoptera, Chiroptera,
Monotremata, Pholidota, Tubulidentata, Proboscidea, Perissodactyla, Hyracoidea, Sirenia and Carnivora
are restricted for the welfare of the animals, except animals of the orders Lagomorpha, Rodentia, and
Artiodactyla, and of the families Viverridae and Mustelidae in the order Carnivora are restricted because
such animals are undesirable and a menace to native wildlife, the agricultural interests of the state, or to
the public health or safety.
9

Well it looks like CA. and WV are friends now. I know that CA doesnt have all the same animals on its list but wow. I didnt know that tree frogs posed a threat to me or my other pets, you know the ones not on the list. To any WV natives, this is a low blow to any and all with a passion for animals.

I sent the writer a letter to the hack of a writer cause jesus that was horribly written. What do people in West Virginia smoke?

I think that there needs to be control in your office as far as quality assurance. My head hurts after reading the nonsense WV comes up. Add upon that ignorance your lack of post inpsection of your writing makes for a terrible read.

Example :

You wrote - "Airing on the safe side"
What is should be - "err on the side of caution"
You wrote - Monday it’s probably best to recommend residents can’t keep pet whales in their pools.
What it should be - Monday that it is recommended to residents, they not keep pet whales in their pools.

WHO THE F@ck KEEPS WHALES IN THEIR POOLS.

What do you smoke in West Virginia. Jesus H. Christ.

Feel free to send me proofs of what you would like to publish next time. At least then someone can ensure proper grammar is utilized.

Horrifying.

As more and more laws are being piled up, I think it's time that some start looking into seeing what we can do to alter or remove them as what was done in Illinois before we're eventually locked in an animalless society. While an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure, sometimes it's obviously too late to focus on prevention so we must start planning on how to tackle it with the cure. Whatever it is, if you're like me and you hate seeing this load of bull-honky, it's worth it to try something as opposed to sitting around and doing nothing.
However, as I do not live within WV, my recommendation would be for residents to meet up at local herpetological societies to discuss some sort of game plan as opposed to complaining and accepting a loss.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pythonminion

...my recommendation would be for residents to meet up at local herpetological societies to discuss some sort of game plan as opposed to complaining and accepting a loss.

---

We have a group on Facebook called "WV_Reptile Watch" where information on the date/time/location of the public meetings is now being disseminated - information on prior meetings wasn't publicized. People are also organizing car pools to the meetings.

Once the public comment period is open there will be info on where to send it as well as talking points.

We have also reached out to groups that were also affected but didn't have this bill on their radar when it was introduced because the way it was being discussed/debated - lions and tigers and bears, OH MY!!! - no one really thought the list would include alpacas, turtles, parakeets, hedgehogs, catfish, or sugar gliders. I am honestly surprised that boas did not make the list.

As was pointed out, the Board met last month and created a list of species to include in the ban. It is huge and available at http://www.ronedmedia.com/wvaquarium...ptile2014.html

The public comment period started 7/2 and ends at the end of this month. USARK posted the official proposed rule/regulation listing dangerous wild animals for WV on their web page for easy access.
http://www.usark.org/wp-content/uplo...nd-Comment.pdf

Not only do you need to send in a public comment, but this is an election year. The list of who voted for/against the law is available at http://legiscan.com/WV/bill/HB4393/2014. If your Senator and Delegate voted correctly, then thank them and plesae help get them re-elected. If they didn't, go help the challenger.

I've also submitted a LTE in my local paper to alert people. It should be printed in the next few days.

Address for written comments is:

WV Department of Agriculture
1900 Kanawha Blvd East
Charleston, WV 25305

Quote:

---

Family Boidae
Genus Eunectes (anacondas)
All species
Genus Python (Pythons)
Burmese (Indian) python (Python molurus)
North African Rock python (Python sebae)
South African Rock python (Python natalensis)
Reticulated python (Broghammerus reticulatus) P. reticulatus
Genus Morelia
Amethystine python (Morelia amethystine)
Justification
These snakes possess venom and/or extreme size and strength and present a threat to humans and
pets.

---

this is crazy.

Quote:

---

Order Insectivora (shrews, moles, hedgehogs, etc.)
All species.

Order Erinaceomorphia (African pygmy hedgehogs)
All species

---

this is also crazy.

the whole list is just totally over the top. you could open a zoo using only species from the list, and people would not realize that there is something special about the way the animals in the zoo are selected.

Wtf...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah, nobody's going to follow this piece of garbage law. They're banning cattle, tree frogs, and all turtles? Yeah, they can have fun with that.

Smh.

Congratulations, there's actually a state going above and beyond the restrictions already in place in California.

By the way, that was sarcasm. These restrictions ARE going above and beyond what's in California currently, but that's no cause for congratulations.

Quote:

---

These snakes possess venom and/or extreme size and strength and present a threat to humans and
pets.

---

amethystene python.... yeah right, **** you very much. (i recently got trouble for leaving the first letter intact and following with 3 stars, i hope this works better).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sorraia

By the way, that was sarcasm. These restrictions ARE going above and beyond what's in California currently, but that's no cause for congratulations.

---

Don't worry, I got the sarcasm.

We have a Facebook group - WV_Reptile Watch - where we're sharing information, talking points, etc. One member got a quote for the liability insurance mandated by the law. She could only find one company that even offers that insurance (Lester Kalmanson Agency in Florida).

The mandate is for liability coverage of at least $300,000 with a maximum deductible of $250 per incident. The premium she was given was $705 per year... for two sugar gliders.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bcr229

Don't worry, I got the sarcasm.

We have a Facebook group - WV_Reptile Watch - where we're sharing information, talking points, etc. One member got a quote for the liability insurance mandated by the law. She could only find one company that even offers that insurance (Lester Kalmanson Agency in Florida).

The mandate is for liability coverage of at least $300,000 with a maximum deductible of $250 per incident. The premium she was given was $705 per year... for two sugar gliders.

---

I just joined the group to keep tabs on what's going on to combat this nightmare. I have been trying to spread the word here in KY to help raise awareness but no one believes it is real... they think the government wouldn't do such an invasive act. I printed out tons of informational packets but I am not sure what to do because no one wants to speak up.
I fear this will spread to other states and eventually be proposed as federal if none of the other states stand up for the idiocy that just took place in that law.

Is there anything we can do to help your state's decision, if we aren't apart of it? I would love to protest, but I don't even know if they would read my letters because I am not a WV resident. If you all have a march or anything please let me know. I may not be a WV resident, but this is cruelty and abuse of power. If people are going to raise up against it, I want to be there. Thanks for providing all this information Bcr229. You are always so helpful and in the know of what's going on in new legislations. I am really sorry you are located in the state they decided to practice test this law against. I hope this gets resolved. Keep us updated <3 I am spreading those packets out around petshops here in KY, today.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Painted

Is there anything we can do to help your state's decision, if we aren't apart of it? I would love to protest, but I don't even know if they would read my letters because I am not a WV resident.

---

Unfortunately the people on the DWA Board are barely acknowledging input from in-state experts; many have been told to sit down and shut up, including a few exotic vets and herpetology professors.

What I've been doing is trying to spread the word on Facebook and other discussion forums for the exotic species listed, so that folks who keep ferrets, turtles, sugar gliders, fish, rabbits, etc. are aware of what's going on. Many had no idea as it's only being reported in one newspaper that the public comment period is open. I put a LTE in my local paper about it.

Someone just needs to sue the state....love the fact that they are telling the actual experts to sit down and shut up....smh

Wow. This is why exotic pet owners are losing - as long as it's not my ox being gored, it's ok to ban the exotic animals I don't keep!

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/x7203...enty-of-debate

But I want a MANATEE!!!!!!! I can keep in in our pool....

Update: Thanks to public comments received so far PLUS complaints made to elected officials, the original broad list was tossed out and the DWA Board is now working on a new list. They are starting with Ohio's list and expanding/fitting it to match WV law.

The problem is that the new list isn't published anywhere as it's a work in progress. So, please keep sending in comments!

http://wvmetronews.com/2014/07/17/pr...ll-be-revised/

Update! The revised list of "dangerous wild animals" is available as an embedded link in this article: http://www.wowktv.com/story/26094651...-charleston-wv

USARK has sample letters for both residents and non-residents at http://usark.org/2014-blog/west-virginia-dwa/ - the deadline is this Friday 8/1 at noon. The email address for submissions is at the link.

"Modeled off ohios list". Ohios list is stupid too. I hope something can help turn these tables for the better.

The WV Chapter of USARC posted this on their Facebook page:

PLANNING SESSIONS Re Proposed Rule 61-30 (DWA Rule)
The West Virginia Chapter of USARC is hosting planning sessions for anyone opposed to the Proposed Rule. Our lawyer, some biologists, hobbyists and breeders will share information. We will discuss strategies. Participation is not limited to owners of reptiles and amphibians as many of the issues we have raised in our comments apply to any animal currently on the list. If you would like to participate, please send us your contact information here at FB or via wvusarc@gmail.com as soon as possible. Once we know the number of interested individuals, we will plan our method of communication accordingly.

The DWA List, as finalized by the Board, and submitted to the Legislative Rules Committee, along with all public comments, is at:
http://apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/readfile.aspx?DocId=26112&Format=PDF[/URL]

Note that on page 988, Summer Wyatt, the WV Director for HSUS, calls for boa constrictor species to be added to the list. Since the DWA Board is supposed to meet annually to review the list, WV residents need to expect this fight to continue for the forseeable future.

"The ignorance is strong with these ones" said everyone who owns a pet.