Help! My Municipality has passed a bylaw BANNING EXOTIC ANIMALS.

[WingedWolfPsion]

eracer: No irresponsible people released the pythons that have naturalized in the Everglades. That happened when an importation holding facility full of Burm hatchlings was destroyed and blown into the swamp by Hurricane Andrew. There is no evidence a breeding population existed before then, and the genetics of the wild snakes point to a single population of normal-type animals as the origin. It was a natural disaster, not dumb keepers. Should South Florida be an importation hub for tropical exotics? Probably not, but that was a decision that Florida should have made a long time ago, and they still haven't made it. No one broke the law. As far as I'm concerned, Florida is responsible, if the blame can be laid anywhere. It certainly can't be laid at the feet of private snake owners.

Savage, in that situation, I would prepare to move, then request an exemption. If denied, I would move out of the affected area, and write a scathing mockery of the people who passed the law, and send it in to the local paper, along with the fact that the law made me move. It may or may not achieve anything, but I would certainly feel better after publicly humiliating them.

[The Hedgehog]

I would keep them on the down low personally. If you think they are going to come into your home busting through the door with a warrant, probably not. However if you are in fear, you may want to look at moving.

It's pretty easy to keep animals on the down low. That's all I'm going to say.

[wilomn]

eracer: No irresponsible people released the pythons that have naturalized in the Everglades. That happened when an importation holding facility full of Burm hatchlings was destroyed and blown into the swamp by Hurricane Andrew. There is no evidence a breeding population existed before then, and the genetics of the wild snakes point to a single population of normal-type animals as the origin. It was a natural disaster, not dumb keepers. Should South Florida be an importation hub for tropical exotics? Probably not, but that was a decision that Florida should have made a long time ago, and they still haven't made it. No one broke the law. As far as I'm concerned, Florida is responsible, if the blame can be laid anywhere. It certainly can't be laid at the feet of private snake owners.

Savage, in that situation, I would prepare to move, then request an exemption. If denied, I would move out of the affected area, and write a scathing mockery of the people who passed the law, and send it in to the local paper, along with the fact that the law made me move. It may or may not achieve anything, but I would certainly feel better after publicly humiliating them.

Come on donna, where DO you get your facts.

Savage, there have been many pythons released into the wild in Florida. Some by accident, some intentionally.

"genetics of the wild snakes point to a single population of normal-type animals as the origin." Again donna, where do you get this information?

Put down the chronic, put away hooka, open a window, turn on a fan and READ what's been proposed, passed or is currently pending.

Then decide whether to do something or not.

Humiliating someone when you don't have the weaponry to do so sounds all nice and romantic and all, but the truth is, you'll probably wind up shooting yourself in the foot, as donna well knows, if you try. Be armed or be quiet.

Whatever you do, take you advice with a good dose of caution. Not matter who you listen too, think before you act.

[llovelace]

I am a firm believer that what I do in my home is no ones business, most people that come to my home are not even aware that I own over 30 reptiles, or rats. My animals have their own room which is locked at all times. I would look into getting that bylaw petitioned & changed if possible. Just my

[jbean7916]

I would start a petition as well and would also attempt to file for the exemption. I understand you're nervous about the possibility of losing your snakes but I think that if you go about this responsibly they will grant you it. I would take pictures of your enclosure making sure to point out the security features like locks and whatnot and also take a video of you handling your ball so they can see how tame they really are.

[mechnut450]

I requies an premit to be exempted since you had your pet before th bylaw was passed. I got exempted for the first new premit when delaware changed their extoic animal permits requirements. I have to have a sales permit to prove out my hets. I would need a seller permit if I sold to th public.( reason I do adoptions if they have a permit) I also have to update it each year ( 25 bucksa year is better than 25 per snake every 3 years).
In the long run I may just reduce my numbers and keep just a select few.

[mainbutter]

Fight the power.

[LP.]

Crap...

I'm kind of freaking out. I live about 2 hours away from your area, give or take.

I'd say fight the power. But until you have the arsenal to do so, lay low and stock up with information and people and other things you will need.

Is that for the entire GTA or just the area around you? Because the reptile expos haul in hundreds of mixed reptiles and I've never heard any troubles with it in the news.

[Savage420Siege]

I would start a petition as well and would also attempt to file for the exemption. I understand you're nervous about the possibility of losing your snakes but I think that if you go about this responsibly they will grant you it. I would take pictures of your enclosure making sure to point out the security features like locks and whatnot and also take a video of you handling your ball so they can see how tame they really are.

Thank you for your advice, however...in case you did not read the entire thread and the articles posted:
- Two people who wanted to move to the area were denyed the right to bring reptiles
- They made several attemps to educate the ignorant people behind this decision including dropping off large amounts of information and doing a powerpoint presentation
- This was all ignored and they are trying to fight this with legal action
- The Mayor of the township came right out and said "there will be no snakes in this township as long as I am living here"

This is what I am facing, I am a pretty good gambler - I know when the odds are stacked against me.

[Savage420Siege]

Crap...

I'm kind of freaking out. I live about 2 hours away from your area, give or take.

I'd say fight the power. But until you have the arsenal to do so, lay low and stock up with information and people and other things you will need.

Is that for the entire GTA or just the area around you? Because the reptile expos haul in hundreds of mixed reptiles and I've never heard any troubles with it in the news.

I am not sure where you are from but you should not have much to worry about. Stirling is a small town north of Belleville (two hours east of toronto). This would never happen in a larger community for several reasons, but mainly because the people who have done this are uninformed/uneducated/ignorant on the issue. They have banned not only small constrictors but basically everything that is an exotic, wild, or undemesticated animal.