My 11 day correspondence with AZ FISH AND GAME

[JEWSKIN]

Tetra fish probably are felt to pose a high risk of becoming established in the local waterways. Additionally, they may harbor diseases which could be transmitted to native fish.

Water buffalo are used to plow fields in Asia, and farmers who have some unusual livestock may want to have them. Since that's a domesticated animal, and poses relatively little threat of establishing a wild breeding population, there's no reason to bar them. They're vaccinated the way cattle are.

So, the real concern here isn't a danger to people, it's a danger to local wildlife.

here is the issues let me make these clear so every one understands fish and game here had said their laws passed in 09/10, which are the same as above passed 7-1-10, were out dated and incorrect. I was told with a hunting license you could collect and keep however many rattlesnakes you wanted and keep them HOWEVER YOU WANTED. They were saying you could keep them in unsecured cages, cages to small, not properly labeled, not letting anyone know you had them, if you got bit or someone else did including a small child wasn't their issue. Essentially you could be irresponsible with rattlesnakes but lord for bid you have tetra (sold at pet stores here and Wal-Mart), or anything else in their pamphlet. You know those sheets of paper folded into thirds with scattered info yeah those. Here in Cochise county our major water way is the San Pedro River which is for the most part under ground and one of two river that run south to north. It's dry surface wise most of the year. Bull frogs found all around here including the at the river are illegal.....with the new law (or not so new) it is illegal to own any of these "Dangerous Animals" if you read carefully I point out that yes the laws could you some adjustments. I also pointed out in adjusting these laws there is opportunity for more employment and a boost to the states economy if they make owning rattlesnakes ok with x amount of hours in classes for safe handling, transport, feeding, medical, housing etc on these animals. Classes they could offer where also an annual permit would be required and inspection of set up and plan should the inevitable happen and someone gets bit. Having worked with venomous snakes, exotic cat and crocodilians I know all to well it's not if, it's when. However, people wanting to keep these beautiful animals could follow simple steps to own them legally so the community is not punished as a whole just those that do not abide the laws. Simple compromise after making them aware that yes these laws give them the ability to actually do there job here and protect the wildlife and public. Tetra could not survive the winters here in Cochise county and honestly it's absurd that coming out of Wal-Mart with tetra for your kids could be at the right moment a class 2 misdemeanor where walking down the street with a water buffalo (all be it "domesticated" is no problem). Again the laws can use work and there is a lot of room for compromise hence things are moving that way instead of banning everything and making everyone a criminal. Do note the set of laws I got are the same ones passed this july.......they said outdated and incorrect but I went straight to them and asked them for a copy of laws as opposed to looking it up online and getting the run around.