This is really scaring me (NY reptile ban?)

[Ginevive]

I just read that our governor Pataki has until November 2nd to either sign or veto a bill that would ban some large reptiles from being kept as pets in NY state. I got this from the Western NY Herp society's site:

If passed, this bill will ban many species of reptiles that many hobbyists currently own or may wish to own in the future. Some of species that would be banned would include all venomous, large pythons, anacondas, several monitor species, and all crocodilians. The current bill also gives the state the authority to regulate the possession of most animals (except for "farm animals" and "companion animals"). Iguanas are also specifically listed as requiring a license to possess.

This is seriously scaring me. I love my reptiles (though the only "lerge constrictor" I own now is a boa, I may want larger ones in the future.) I seriously hope that this ban does not get passed. I have written the governor about it as so many other herp keepers have already; hopefully that makes a difference.
But I really hope that in NY, we do not have to be treated as criminals for keeping our herps.

[chong_python]

It sounds harsh to some one that may own the larger pythons and the others that were mentioned, but reading your animal list it doesnt look like you will be affected. as of now any way, I hope nothing like that will ever come here, we are too small of a province for any one to care haha
good luck with it

[Shaun J]

The current bill also gives the state the authority to regulate the possession of most animals (except for "farm animals" and "companion animals"). Iguanas are also specifically listed as requiring a license to possess.

[Shaun J]

Snakes can be companions,too.Some people make wanna go crazy!At least they are doing something about iguanas,though

[led4urhead]

edit button?

[MacWin]

Stuff like this happens because of bad herpers, meaning people that let a 20 ft Burm roam around and then it kills the owner or people that have 20 different kinds of hots in their apt and someone dies.

It all comes down to education allot of people just buy reptiles as throw away pets when they get to big or become inconvienent they chuck em.

thankfully we don't have those laws here yet.

[Ginevive]

I agree.
All I can say is, this state worries me.

[First_time_herp]

The reptile laws keep getting stricter. Gladly though MNs herp laws don't seem very strit at all. From what I've seen anyway.

[Ginevive]

Maybe I'll just move to another state! Or build a secret underground lair to house my snakes in, where no one could ever find them. It is kinda sad to think that simple reptile keeping could be viewed as a crime.

[sophie42204]

I hope it doesn't happen, Gin. If it does I suppose for once I'd be glad I moved down here. Keep us posted.