Venom

[chocolatecolubrid]

I just found out today that the petshop I have great faith and trust in is starting to sell venomous snakes. I'm quite annoyed cos the guy selling them said he's gonna be a 'responsible' seller and they'll be going to 'serious' owners which I don't believe for a second.

I don't mind knowing that experienced people keep them, but I know what the shops are like in my area and they'll sell them to any old buddy with the cash in their hand. Plus there are no laws for venom over here so that means ANYONE can have them.

Now I'm just waiting for that one bite or escapee that's gonna put another bad mark on us good keepers.

Oh yeah and there are no hospitals in Northern Ireland that are setup to deal with venomous snake/lizard bites. The nearest one is in Liverpool as far as I know!!!!!

I'm not getting at anyone, I just thought that having one really bad shop in my town was bad enough, now I have to be weary of all of them.

[Deadbait]

what sorts is he going to have? having no antivenom around could end up going horribly wrong for someone...

but saying that, maybe he will only sell them to serious owners? but still, no antivenom around is surely a reason not to buy them.

[Andyman]

Doesn't sound good @ all m8, have u complained about it in a plee for them not to purchase venomous animals? As you said, wont take long untill something happens and reptiles will gain a bad name!

[chocolatecolubrid]

I made sure they know how I feel about it (my reaction was "WHY THE HELL ARE YOU GETTING VENOM?!?!?!?") but because there arent any laws there's nothing anyone can do about it.

I'm just sick of ignorant people owning animals that are dangerous to themselves and the general public.

I'm gonna find out who is representing the DWAA up here and chat to them!!

[nattyb]

its amazing that people will jepeordize theres an others safety as well as the hobbies reputation for a few quid,i can only hope he will sell responsibly but ....
ps do you know what they will be ?i just wanna know how mad he is

[Anonymous]

Has he got his DWA yet?

[nattyb]

i think thers a loophole with petshop licenses where they dont require
apologies if im wrong

[chocolatecolubrid]

He mentioned puff adders and copperheads to start and then anything people want that are on his reptile lists when the word gets round.

In Northern Ireland we have no DWA at all. There's something about us not coming under the UK DWA. You can keep absolutely anything you want (I've been offered tiger cubs among other things), and the best part is the USPCA won't have anything to do with reptiles so people can get away with selling and owning any type of reptile they want.

There's been talk of it being introduced, but it hasn't happened yet. Pet shops don't need the license cos it doesn't exist up here.

[nattyb]

f**k words fail me that is pure crazy both him and the state of the law
its no wonder we get a bad reputation

[chocolatecolubrid]

Tell me about it. That's why I don't agree with venom being sold over here cos there are no limits.