Turtle on a Plane

[thegoalie22]

I would never fly on that airline.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Tiny-t...92999.html?x=0

[jsmorphs2]

While I do feel very bad those poor girls had to get off the plane and "get rid of" their turtle, I do think it is common sense that they or their parents should have known you can't bring animals on the plane without special arrangements. They could have easily shipped it home. Plus, it seems that the airline did ship it back to them after they located it.

I saw the mom wrote PETA...GREAT!! *sarcasm* Now they will lobby that air travel is horrible for ALL animals and try to ban that too.

[joepythons]

Oh yea great idea get the PETA idiots involved .I bet they turn on the girls for throwing the turtle in the garbage you watch.

[j_h_smith]

Two wrongs don't make a right. The father should have declared the animal before leaving the airport and his children on that plane. I feel for the child, but the grown ups around her didn't do their part.

Now, I've got to be the Scrooge on this part. Isn't it a Federal law that a turtle has to be 4 inches long before it can be owned as a pet? I'm pretty sure, the turtle was illegal for the girl to have in her possession.

The airline as well has violated the Federal law too. They transported the animal without proper authority and are in volation of interstate shipping of a turtle less than 4 inches.

The airline employee that took the turtle home also violated this same law.

So, basically, bacause of a 2 inch turtle, a corporation can be fined big money, and at least 3 people also face some kind of fine.

I hope it doesn't come to this, but if PETA gets involved, I'm sure the Feds will make an example of all concerned due to PETA's involvement.


Jim Smith

[thegoalie22]

Two wrongs don't make a right. The father should have declared the animal before leaving the airport and his children on that plane. I feel for the child, but the grown ups around her didn't do their part.

Now, I've got to be the Scrooge on this part. Isn't it a Federal law that a turtle has to be 4 inches long before it can be owned as a pet? I'm pretty sure, the turtle was illegal for the girl to have in her possession.

The airline as well has violated the Federal law too. They transported the animal without proper authority and are in volation of interstate shipping of a turtle less than 4 inches.

The airline employee that took the turtle home also violated this same law.

So, basically, bacause of a 2 inch turtle, a corporation can be fined big money, and at least 3 people also face some kind of fine.

I hope it doesn't come to this, but if PETA gets involved, I'm sure the Feds will make an example of all concerned due to PETA's involvement.


Jim Smith

True about the size of the turtle, but you see that all the time with beach shops selling to kids.

And to a previous poster, can you imagine shipping a turtle? Especially one that small?

My problem was that they said it was a health risk. To my knowledge, salmonella can't be transmitted through the air. If it was, every herp in America would be infected.

[jacob985]

even so ive been catching wild turtles all my life and never once have i gotten sick from one. and i doubt they offered to ship it later. that is just cruelty

[mainbutter]

Now, I've got to be the Scrooge on this part. Isn't it a Federal law that a turtle has to be 4 inches long before it can be owned as a pet? I'm pretty sure, the turtle was illegal for the girl to have in her possession.

Wrong wrong wrong.

Federal law restricts the SALE of turtles under 4 inches long, with a number of loopholes that actually makes the law moot for those who want a baby turtle.

There is nothing in there about possession. If that were true, then anyone who breeds turtles would be violating federal law.

[jacob985]

Wrong wrong wrong.

Federal law restricts the SALE of turtles under 4 inches long, with a number of loopholes that actually makes the law moot for those who want a baby turtle.

There is nothing in there about possession. If that were true, then anyone who breeds turtles would be violating federal law.

you are also allowed to sell the babys if you have paperwork stating that the turtles were treated for any diseases.

[MarkS]

Two wrongs don't make a right. The father should have declared the animal before leaving the airport and his children on that plane. I feel for the child, but the grown ups around her didn't do their part.

Now, I've got to be the Scrooge on this part. Isn't it a Federal law that a turtle has to be 4 inches long before it can be owned as a pet? I'm pretty sure, the turtle was illegal for the girl to have in her possession.

The airline as well has violated the Federal law too. They transported the animal without proper authority and are in volation of interstate shipping of a turtle less than 4 inches.

The airline employee that took the turtle home also violated this same law.

So, basically, bacause of a 2 inch turtle, a corporation can be fined big money, and at least 3 people also face some kind of fine.

I hope it doesn't come to this, but if PETA gets involved, I'm sure the Feds will make an example of all concerned due to PETA's involvement.


Jim Smith

This is all pretty much wrong. There are NO laws against owning, possessing or shipping a turtle of any size. It is unlawful to SELL a turtle under 4 inches unless it is used for educational purposes, scientific purposes or for export. Possession is perfectly legal, transporting it across state lines is perfectly legal, giving it to someone is perfectly legal. According to US postal regulations It is unlawful to send any turtles through the US postal service, any other form of shipping is perfectly legal.

[Beardedragon]

I just wish the girls would not even HAVE a RES. To give you a clue as to how much they cost, you have to have 10 gallons for every inch long that they are, now imagine filters, water treatment, and care they they require. A 10 inch long RES HAS to have a 100 gallon tank. They can get stressed out and stop eating in anything smaller. Not to even mention UVB lighting, I bet if they do keep the turtle it will get shell rot and die soon after if the little sister is truely the only care for it, but seeing how the dad just sent her off with just the little carrior and turtle Id say impulse buy.

Now, there may be something better waiting at home for the little turtle, but I doubt that.

Like it was said before, basicaly the law states its illegal to sell a turtle, but not to buy one. And the law is mute because all the buyer has to say, to make it legal both ways, is that they are using it for a school project or something like that, in order to legaly sell it for Educational purposes.

All turtles carry salmonella, its not something you can get rid of, because it benifits the turtle. I think its in their Digestive track, but its more of a threat to humans than in other reptiles because they swim in their own poop. However, the reason the law states nothing under four inches is so little kids do not go around putting the little turtle in their mouths.