For anyone living under a rock in the reptile hobby, here is a summary of what has been going on:
I know everyone has their own opinion about how issues should be handled and I personally don't think USARK has done everything correct. To generalize the whole issue though, I do agree that it sounds like this lawsuit is our best chance to right the wrong and prevent any other wrong. Big snakes are the easy target, people fear them, media plays this fear, snowballing issue. However the lacey act doesn't care how dangerous an animal, one of it's main notes is to prevent invasive species from becoming invasive. Without typing a mile long post, it comes down to this: after the easy targets are added, how long until ball pythons are considered invasive? How long until our entire hobby is considered invasive? It has nothing to do with the threat on humans that is brought up constantly. Even if you have zero interest in big snakes, like me, I still feel this needs to be squashed now or the hobby is going to be black market only eventually. I don't wish to see that.
I realize everyone is in a different state economically but I don't believe there is anyone who cannot donate a dollar, this forum has nearly 50k members, yes I realize some are not active accounts, but still, it would be quite the donation if everyone donated just one dollar.
So here is me making you feel guilty, where's your dollar? http://usark.org/reptile-defense-fund-2/
Reply With Quote