I'm assuming you mean the law that says you can't sell baby turtles under 4" in diameter as pets?
I've heard (somewhere...don't remember where) that the law was repealed. But I still see turtle sellers quoting it in their ads. Who knows? If I understand right, it was created in the first place because of a fear that little children would stick a quarter-sized turtle in their mouth and contract salmonella.And I do think it's an absolutely ridiculous law that should be stricken from the books.
The issue of them being seen as "disposable pets" is an entirely different matter and I don't think the 4" rule has anything to do with it. It's just a sad fact of life that people think small, inexpensive animals don't require the same respect or commitment that larger, pricier, or fuzzier animals do.
My sister bought a pair of quarter-sized RES's for her daughter because she believed they would be very simple little pets for her young daughter to learn to care for. The pet store she bought them at did not bother to tell her the truth. Fortunately for those turtles, my sister takes her responsibilities seriously, and she grew as a turtle keeper just as the turtles grew. But it's all too common that when someone realizes the cute little green coin with feet won't stay that way, they simply let it go in the back yard, or try to keep it in a 10 gallon tank half-full of murky water.
Reply With Quote