Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Virginia

[ER12]

Pa. bill would ban private ownership of exotic animals
Some Pennsylvania lawmakers want to bring the state's law in line with New Jersey's, by enacting a similar ban on private ownership of most categories of large wild animals. The bill passed a House committee last spring and is awaiting action in the full chamber.

"My legislation would change the law so that ownership of specific wild animals for private entertainment would be considered the mistreatment of that wildlife, therefore protecting the safety of Pennsylvanians as well as these animals," Rep. Ed Staback (D., Lackawanna) said.

articles.philly.com/2011-10-20/news/30301720_1_wild-animals-exotic-animals-wayne-pacelle

Virginia urged to strengthen exotic pet laws
McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin said the governor would look into the matter.

“The Governor is concerned about any threats to public safety that could be presented by personal ownership of such animals,” Martin said via e-mail. “In the wake of yesterday’s tragic situation in Ohio, the Administration will look further into the laws in the Commonwealth regarding this issue.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...ginia-politics

Indiana Needs Tougher Exotic Animal Laws, Says Noble Animal Sanctuary Director

http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/ne...132198793.html

[Jay_Bunny]

What does he mean "strengthen the laws" for Virginia. You can barely own anything in Virginia except your average exotics like snakes, lizards, birds, and small mammals. African mammals are illegal. Technically you can't even have ASFs here unless they are feeders for snakes. I'm not sure how much more strict you can get unless he plans on banning the common exotics I mentioned before.

[ER12]

Keep in mind that these "calls for ban renewals" are typically reactionary and knee jerk responses in nature to someone who was clearly a mentally unfit, and who has already had numerous run ins with the law regarding his animals. Politicians in many states are going to use this incident to buy them votes in the political popularity arena, as they always do.
No amount of banning or regulation will prevent going postal. The very same thing could have just as easily occured at a AZA sponsered facility, which interestingly, are usually exempted in bans.

[minguss]

Totally true Eric
We need to be helping each other out across the country to block this BS

[sgath92]

Pa. bill would ban private ownership of exotic animals
Some Pennsylvania lawmakers want to bring the state's law in line with New Jersey's, by enacting a similar ban on private ownership of most categories of large wild animals. The bill passed a House committee last spring and is awaiting action in the full chamber.

"My legislation would change the law so that ownership of specific wild animals for private entertainment would be considered the mistreatment of that wildlife, therefore protecting the safety of Pennsylvanians as well as these animals," Rep. Ed Staback (D., Lackawanna) said.

What Staback wants to do is basically take every animal you currently need a permit to own as an individual in PA, and make those animals illegal & end the permit process altogether.

But beyond that if you're caught with an animal after that point, it would be considered animal abuse to simply own it no matter how well it's been cared for. Which would also serve as a way of black listing people who are convicted from animal adoptions all across the board.

[sgath92]

Fox's local syndicate is putting pressure on more reptile bans/restrictions in PA

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/...-philly-111611