CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! *HR669 DEFEATED!!*

[Beasty]

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://pijac.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=175" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://pijac.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=175</a><!-- m -->

Read this thing folks! Let your voice be heard!!
4/23/09 is the date.

 

[Beasty]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not a joke!

Notice it's not ONLY reptiles but any animal not from here.
ie, parrots, hamsters, exotic mammals, foreign insects, etc.,etc.
This would virtually end the pet trade in general as we know it. Millions in revenue down the toilet with our already struggling economy!!
We can't let this happen! If you value your rights and love your animals get involved, don't sit on the fence. If they don't get a strong enough resistance to this it might actually pass. IF that were to happen it won't be the only thing they'll change! Believe it!

I'm sure this was sparked by the escapee Burmese python population in Florida after the hurricanes. A nice knee jerk reaction that would seal the fate of our country! Think about ALL the breeders, all the pet food manufacturers, all the accessories, cages, you name it would no longer be needed. If you didn't have a dog or cat you'd soon not have any pets at all.

 

[crimsonrazac]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

Dang... I was really thinkin that was a well thought out joke Why havn't I heard about it before? On the news or internet.

I guess this is the kind of person who suports it: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/ban-the-sale-of-reptiles-as-pets.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/ban ... -pets.html</a><!-- m -->

With the lack of info I can find on it... I'm still not sure its real.

 

[nivek5225]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

what can we do to make sure it doesnt get passed?

 

[Beasty]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

This is a copy of the email I got:

CONGRESSIONAL HEARING ON HR 669 WHICH WOULD BAN NONNATIVE SPECIES

TO BE HEARD APRIL 23 -- ACTION NEEDED



THE ISSUE

The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act (H.R. 669), introduced by Del. Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam) Chair of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife of the House Natural Resources Committee would totally revamp how nonnative species are regulated under the Lacey Act.



Currently, the Fish and Wildlife Service is required to demonstrate that a species is injurious [harmful] to health and welfare of humans, the interests of agriculture, horticulture or forestry, and the welfare and survival of wildlife resources of the U.S.



HR 669 substantially complicates that process by compelling the Service to produce two lists after conducting a risk assessment for each nonnative wildlife species to determine if it is likely to Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??cause economic or environmental harm or harm to other animal speciesÃ?¢ââ??‰â??¢ health or human health.Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã? In order to be placed on the Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??Approved ListÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã? it must be established that the species has not, or is not likely, to cause Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??harmÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã? anywhere in the US. Species that are considered potentially harmful would be placed on an Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??Unapproved List.Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã? Furthermore, HR 669 would essentially ban all species that do not appear on the Approved List, regardless of whether or not they have ever been petitioned for listing or are sufficiently well studied to enable a listing determination.



Species not appearing on the Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??Approved ListÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã? could not be imported into the United States; therefore, all unapproved nonnative species could not be moved interstate. In addition, trade in all such unlisted species would come to a halt Ã?¢ââ??‰â?¬Å? possession would be limited and all breeding would cease. Unless those species are included on the approved list import, export, transport, and breeding would be prohibited. Exceptions are limited and would not be available to pet owners across the nation.





To view full HR669 PetAlert click on one of the following links Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??Breaking NewsÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã? or Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??HR669 ForumÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?Â. Both will take you to pages on the PIJAC website.





PIJAC

1220 19th Street, NW, Ste 400

Washington, DC 20036

(202) 452-1525 - tel

(202) 293-4377 - fax

 

[crimsonrazac]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

Maybe I'll call fish and games to see if its real.

 

[Beasty]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

I HIGHLY doubt this is a April fool's day joke. I mean a whole website dedicated to pulling your leg? Call fish and game and see. Absolutely. I wouldn't doubt they are sweeping this under the rug as it will be huge and savagely opposed I would think. The less publicity, the better chance they can slip it in. That's the American way, don't you know?
I think I'll follow up on this with a couple phone calls myself tomorrow.

 

[crimsonrazac]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

I HIGHLY doubt this is a April fool's day joke. I mean a whole website dedicated to pulling your leg? Call fish and game and see. Absolutely. I wouldn't doubt they are sweeping this under the rug as it will be huge and savagely opposed I would think. The less publicity, the better chance they can slip it in. That's the American way, don't you know?
I think I'll follow up on this with a couple phone calls myself tomorrow.

Yeah, its just so big I'm surprised that none of the local news or news paper have picked it up? Even doing a google search I only found one result.

 

[VARNYARD]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

This petition by HSUS is really not a smart move on their part, if this law is passed. I will start a class action lawsuit and all reptile breeders, pet shops, whole sales, reptile suppliers and feeder sellers will be welcome to join me to sue them for every penny they have, and that is in the billions.

HSUS is not a supporter of homeless animals as they imply, and has not one shelter set up for homeless pets or strays. HSUS is nothing more than what PETA is, and of these monies donated nothing goes to help animals. They do not spend this money on animals in need, but rather use it for passing laws like this one. They are also trying to fight hunting and even using beef for food. People think by donating funds to them, that it goes to help stray animals and to set up shelters, but not one dime is spent on this.

HSUS at one time a few years ago was using money collected to help unwanted, and stray animals. This changed a few years ago and they no longer use any money to help these animals

HSUS site: Yes! I want to help The Humane Society of the United States stop animal cruelty and suffering wherever it occurs.

Thanks to your generous support, we can continue to protect dogs, cats, and other animals at home and worldwide in 2009 and beyond. Your donation will be used to stop animal cruelty inflicted by individuals and institutions, to rescue and shelter animals during times of disaster, and so much more. Donations of $25 or more come with a full HSUS membership and a subscription to our award-winning All Animals magazine.

Please provide the following information to make your donation. And give with confidence: The HSUS is rated a four-star charity (the highest possible) by Charity Navigator, America's premier independent charity evaluator.

If youÃ?¢ââ??‰â??¢d like to support us every month by setting up a monthly donation plan, please click here. To make a gift donation, please click here. To make a gift in memory of a person or pet, please click here.

And so much more indeed!! To rescue and shelter animals during times of disaster? Only in time of disaster, but what about all of the animals that need help through out the year? Padding pockets and getting rich off donations is what this group is all about.

HSUS site:Live Reptile Trade


The recent explosion in the popularity of pet reptilesÃ?¢ââ??‰â?¬Âthe number hit 11 million in 2005, an increase of 2 million in two yearsÃ?¢ââ??‰â?¬Âis bad news for people, reptiles, and the environment.

Hazardous Pets

People who buy reptiles as pets get more than they bargained for. Virtually all reptiles (even healthy ones) carry Salmonella bacteria. This doesn't cause a problem for the animals, but for humans, it can be deadly. In humans, salmonellosis causes diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, and may develop into invasive illnesses such as meningitis and sepsis. Children and the elderly are especially at risk.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 74,000 people each year get salmonellosis from reptiles and amphibians, which means 6% of Salmonella cases in the United States can be linked to these animals.

For the sake of human health, the CDC recommends that reptiles be kept out of households that include children and people with compromised immune systems, and that children and immunocompromised people avoid all contact with reptiles and items the animals have touched. Direct contact with a reptile is not necessary to become sick; Salmonella bacteria can live for days on surfaces.

Because of the health risk, it is illegal to sell small turtles (those with a shell length of less than 4 inches) as pets in the United States. The CDC estimates that this ban prevents an additional 100,000 cases of salmonellosis among children each year.

Reptiles pose a threat beyond disease transmission. Snakes and lizards, often sold as hatchlings, can reach six feet or moreÃ?¢ââ??‰â?¬Âat which point they may pose a physical threat to humans and companion animals. Even small turtles can outgrow their tanks, and their welcome.

A Hazardous Trade

Each reptile sold by a pet store represents depleted wild populations, damaged habitats, and individual suffering. While some pet reptiles are bred in captivity, most are taken from the wild or born of wild-caught parents. Each year nearly 2 million live reptiles are imported into the United States, and about 9 million are exported. This poorly regulated trade can leave behind ruined and toxic wild habitats when brute force or gasoline is used to rouse reptiles from their burrows.

Harsh capture techniques, compounded by poor shipping methods and inadequate care, kill many reptiles before they reach the pet store or dealer. An estimated 90% of wild-caught reptiles die in their first year of captivity because of physical trauma prior to purchase or because their owners cannot meet their complex dietary and habitat needs.

Marketed as low-maintenance pets, reptiles are often taken home by families who become overwhelmed by the level of care required. Some reptiles will be abandoned to the wild, where many of them will die from starvation, exposure, or predation. Those who survive often compete with native wildlife for food and habitat, damaging the balance of the ecosystem. Others will be relinquished to shelters, which are not usually equipped to handle these unique animals and which have few options for placing them.
For public health, conservation, and humane reasons, The HSUS recommends that the general public forgo pet reptiles. Wild animals are best left in the wild where they belong.

All I can say is I want to see the documents to back up this so-called claim. :crazy

 

[alewis0890]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

This has been going on for a while now, mainly for the keeping of large snakes and lizards that when irresponsibly cannot keep their animal, let it go in the wild... as long as all of us let our voice and thoughts be known.... theres to many of us to take down! This isn't the first time for this either... Seems like theres one a year.... best thing to do is find the petition floating around and EVERYONE let them know just how many of us there are. This is indeed real, along with all the others in the past.

 

[omgtaylorg]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

Yea I gotta admit, after holding my reptiles and going on with my daily routine of using my hands, touching my face, eating, etc...I'm so sick from the so called Salmonella that all the reptiles have even the healthy ones. Ive never heard of anyone contracting this from their reptiles...better yet I have heard of it from such things as chicken from a grocery store...maybe they should check their facts before spewing complete BS. The media is the solo reason for the bad rep on reptiles, haha actually for most things.

 

[Beasty]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

There's other sites too:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-669" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-669</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&webtag=ab-exoticpets&tid=2982" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.asp ... s&tid=2982</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h669/show" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h669/show</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1659457,1659457" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=1659457,1659457</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_669.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/sh ... R_669.html</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230948" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forum ... p?t=230948</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.govit.com/vote/comments.aspx?bill=2009-hr-669" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.govit.com/vote/comments.aspx ... 009-hr-669</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.pethobbyist.com/sitenews/index.php?/archives/319-National-Action-Alert-H.R.-669-threat-to-your-right-to-own-pets.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.pethobbyist.com/sitenews/ind ... -pets.html</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188837" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/sh ... p?t=188837</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/The-We-Learned-Our-Lesson-Bill" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/The-We ... esson-Bill</a><!-- m -->

And the list goes on and on. THIS IS FOR REAL PEOPLE!!!! Let's do something!!

 

[omgtaylorg]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

Wow, this is absurd. There's no way this will pass, you read it yourself on one of the links, theres up to 11 million reptiles owners now, how could they possibly ban all of their pets...its ridiculous. It wont pass, and if it does...there will be a very very bad outcome...

 

[VARNYARD]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

Well Salmonella is really in everything, you can catch it from dogs and cats too, and even other people. They need to ban fish bait too, you can even catch it from earth worms.

All animals can carry it, and even some fruit and vegetables.

Any raw food of animal origin, such as meat, poultry, milk and dairy products, eggs, seafood, and some fruits and vegetables may carry Salmonella bacteria. The bacteria can survive to cause illness if meat, poultry, and egg products are not cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature as measured with a food thermometer and fruits and vegetables are not thoroughly washed. The bacteria can also contaminate other foods that come in contact with raw meat and poultry. Safe food handling practices are necessary to prevent bacteria on raw food from causing illness.

Can animals transmit salmonellosis to me?

Yes, many kinds of animals can pass salmonellosis to people. Usually, people get salmonellosis by eating contaminated food, such as chicken or eggs. However, animals can carry Salmonella and pass it in their feces (stool). Therefore, people can also get salmonellosis if they do not wash their hands after touching the feces of animals. Reptiles (lizards, snakes, and turtles), baby chicks, and ducklings are especially likely to pass salmonellosis to people. Dogs, cats, birds (including pet birds), horses, and farm animals can also pass Salmonella in their feces.

Hell, lets just ban all fruit, vegetables, animals, food and humans, then we will be safe. What a joke!! :crazy :crazy

 

[omgtaylorg]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

Haha thats what im sayin...its so stupid. I was saying you have more of a chance to catch it from food products than you do a reptile from what ive seen...ive heard of tons of cases of people contracting it from chicken and other foods, but never personally have I heard of it from reptiles. And even so, like you said its in so many other things so why just ban one..? Ill just say if tegus are no longer allowed, Im moving to argentina and catching tegus all day.

 

[Red Earth Exotics]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

This is a scary thing folks. If they decide to take our pets away, what's next? Our guns and other personal freedoms we have taken for granted? I have signed petitions, sent letters and spread the word. I don't know if any of this will help. They will do what they want to do.

Makes you feel real helpless when your livelihood and dreams are in the hands of politicians and people who don't really care about anything but their own personal and political advancement. You think the majority of congress are concerned if people are allowed to keep 20 foot long "killer" reticulated pythons?

 

[ashesc212]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

What can we do now to prevent this from happening? How can the petition be circulated to enough reptile owners now?

 

[ashesc212]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

Actually, I don't see a petition on their site...so is there one anywhere?

 

[alewis0890]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

Theres was few floating around on kingsnake a while back....

 

[ashesc212]

Re: CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TO BAN REPTILES! Not joke!

More sites that are discussing this:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.beardeddragon.org/bjive/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=102825&hilit=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.beardeddragon.org/bjive/view ... 825&hilit=</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.beardeddragon.org/bjive/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=101815&p=793415&hilit=illegal+to+own#p793415" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.beardeddragon.org/bjive/view ... wn#p793415</a><!-- m -->