SB 917 - California. Signed to law.

[anatess]

Here's the language of the bill:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/...ed_sen_v97.pdf

It makes it illegal to sell any live animal in public places - like parking lots, roadside, etc. There are some exemptions for shows but I'm not sure if it includes reptile shows - it all seems to just cover dog/cat/bird/farm shows.

But then, I haven't read the thing carefully since I don't live in California.

Anybody has some more info on this bill?

Here's a pro reaction: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...entry_id=94119

Here's a con reaction: http://redbirddog.blogspot.com/2011/...s-nearing.html

[Raptor]

I really wonder how they're going to enforce that.

[anatess]

I really wonder how they're going to enforce that.

In the bill, it states that any police officer, animal control officer, and <something else, I can't remember>-officer can arrest a violator. Basically, if somebody wants to buy your snake, you can't meet them at a public place to perform the exchange anymore because one of these officers can arrest you. I guess you're going to have to let them in your house or mail it to them.

I wonder if you can say "I'm not selling the snake, I'm rehoming the snake" and get away with it like that.

[JLC]

I haven't read it...but I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the law was written to prevent all the curb-side puppy and kitten vending you see. How many times have you driven past a Wal Mart parking lot, and out at the far corner, there is an SUV with the tailgate up...and beside it, a wire pen filled with puppies?

Always makes me grind my teeth to see stuff like that.

As for someone wanting to meet a buyer somewhere to sell a single snake, I seriously doubt they would be impacted by something like this. They're not sitting out there with a big "For Sale" sign waiting for customers to wander by.

[The Bears]

I wonder if you can say "I'm not selling the snake, I'm rehoming the snake" and get away with it like that.

[Skiploder]

I haven't read it...but I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the law was written to prevent all the curb-side puppy and kitten vending you see. How many times have you driven past a Wal Mart parking lot, and out at the far corner, there is an SUV with the tailgate up...and beside it, a wire pen filled with puppies?

Always makes me grind my teeth to see stuff like that.

As for someone wanting to meet a buyer somewhere to sell a single snake, I seriously doubt they would be impacted by something like this. They're not sitting out there with a big "For Sale" sign waiting for customers to wander by.

That was the "stated" intent Judy - to stop the curbside sale of kittens and puppies and the sale of unweaned animals at pet stores.

However, it is so ambiguously written that the jury is out as to whether or not it could affect reptile shows. Also the exemptions written into the Bill make it fairly clear that it probably will affect reptile shows if HSUS and PETA decide to direct the State at them. Anyone who cares can take a look here:

http://e-lobbyist.com/gaits/text/292678

It specifically exempts:

(1) The sale of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses on consignment at any public sales.

(2) Live animal markets regulated under Section 597.3.

(3) A public animal control agency or shelter,

(4) The sale of fish or shellfish, live or dead, from a fishing
vessel or registered aquaculture facility, at a pier or wharf, or at
a farmer's market by any licensed commercial fisherman or an owner or
employee of a registered aquaculture facility to the public for
human consumption.

(5) A cat show, dog show, or bird show, provided that all of the
following circumstances exist:

(A) The show is validly permitted by the city or county in which
the show is held.

(B) The show's sponsor or permittee ensures compliance with all
federal, state, and local animal welfare and animal control laws.

(C) The participant has written documentation of the payment of a
fee for the entry of his or her cat, dog, or bird in the show.

(D) The sale of a cat, dog, or bird occurs only on the premises
and within the confines of the show.

(E) The show is a competitive event where the cats, dogs, or birds
are exhibited and judged by an established standard or set of ideals
established for each breed or species.

What cracks me up is that it appears that the powerful bird lobby was able to get an exemption for their shows, but the Mighty Reptile Nation was not.

I've been following this bill since it's inception. Senator Lieu's office informed me that they had heard nothing from the reptile lobby. The bird lobby screeched their concerns, the dog lobby howled in protest, the cat lobby yowled in anger - even the coral frag swappers apparently salted the office with calls.

But all of you reptile owners, who can take the time to post your whines and gripes about regulation and unfair laws all over the internet, couldn't pull your asses away from the keyboard long enough to make a call or to organize enough of concerted protest to get an exemption - or worse even register on the radar of Senator Lieu's office.

That's the killer here - while I don't support the bill in it's current form, the Senator's office was worried about it's effect on legitimate businesses - hence the exemptions. The fact that they were in the dark about the reptile hobby should concern everyone on this forum. We were not heard - we had no voice.

I don't buy or sell at reptile shows...........to the rest of you who do and missed this..........better hope that HSUS doesn't decide to take notice of you. The penalties under this bill are absolutely draconian and vicious.

[Skiploder]

Hmmm.

Doesn't look like it was on USARK's radar...........

http://www.usark.org/statelaws.php

[anatess]

Hmmm.

Doesn't look like it was on USARK's radar...........

http://www.usark.org/statelaws.php

Probably because it was made to look like a dog and cat bill...

Okay, about JLC's comment on curbside puppy sellers. They're already covered by other state laws. For example - you are required to have a permit to sell domestic animals. Public vending is covered by local ordinance - so, unless you got a city sales permit, you can't even sell girl scout cookies on public property, let alone a dog. Some cities even disallows selling on your own private driveway if your house is on a busy street.

So yeah, what this does is putting the act of selling an animal on the same animal cruelty category as dog fighting. The venue of the sale is a concession to the dog and cat lovers and private enterprise.

This is what you would consider a giant slick slippery slope. And yes, HSUS knew exactly that the first thing that comes to people's heads regarding this bill is "those hideous puppy mills!". They got you there! Hook, line, and sinker.

[Skiploder]

Probably because it was made to look like a dog and cat bill...

Don't think so.

It used to be AB 112.

USARK was aware of it. They were very aware of it. They even mentioned it on their forum.

We discussed it for awhile on this forum. There was no excuse for us not getting an exemption. No excuse at all.

For what it's worth, PIJAC supported the bill.

[anatess]

For what it's worth, PIJAC supported the bill.

Yeah, which is kinda screwy. PIJAC's position is about supporting rehoming efforts instead of sale. But, PIJAC never supported any ban on animal sales so... their position is confusing on this one.