Quote Originally Posted by knox View Post
Stratus, believe it or not I have already been swayed

There have been some great points in this thread. To be honest, the ones that made the most sense were the appalling way some dogs and cats are kept (I see it all the time on Animal Cops Houston) yet they are not banned by the govt.

Based on the compelling arguments, I think it is hypocritical of the govt. to ban large snakes and not dogs and cats.

Unfortunately, the wrong being done is on the part of the irresponsible owners, not the animals or the people who take great pride and care in their animals.

Thanks!
Glad you were swayed. Most everyone on this forum is going to agree that there are steps that can be taken that would help various issues surrounding keeping the Giants. Banning them is not one of those steps. You can't just take away freedom without a reason. The problem is that the numbers don't show a need for a ban and they are pushing for one anyway. More dangerous animals are easily bought and sold every day (dogs, horses, cows). There are more dangerous wild animals in most states. Public welfare is not the issue. Its not the impact on native flora and fauna either. If it was then it should be a state issue for Florida and surrounding states. Non of the giants will thrive in New York were I live. Cats and dogs do more damage every day than the snakes ever could. Its certainly not about the animal well being. There is a stigma attached to owning snakes. The majority of the population will discourage you from getting a snake and would like nothing more than to kill it. You have to want a snake more than any other animal to deal with the stigma. In contrast people are constantly trying to give you puppies and kittens without any thought to whether or not you can care for one. At the end of the day this is a state issue if anything, not a federal issue. If my state wants me to get a permit to keep my snake I will gladly get one, providing its priced reasonably and not so high as to discourage. As far as my upstairs neighbor keeping venomous snakes. No I don't want that. Its not my right to tell him what he can and cannot keep. I don't want him to have a gun either or a drum set, or a loud stereo. I can move if I want. I should not go out and try to get any of those things banned.