Stop Florida Reptile Ban!

[MJ75]

Originally Posted by Chris Newman

As animal keepers, lovers, we live in very dark and difficult times. The Animal Rights Industry [ARI] is not driven by an agenda of welfare or interest in animals, it is driven by ulterior motivations, commonly financial. What we need, as keepers, is clarity in our arguments. We need to make certain that facts are not clouded with disingenuous interpretations. In this case to the best of my knowledge no member of the general public has been serious injured or killed – that is simply stating a fact, which is extremely powerful. The same argument cannot be made for example for dogs, therefore proportionality come into play. Would it be proportionate to ban pythons and not dogs!

The fact that in this case a child had dies is very sad and tragic, and no one would suggest otherwise. Notwithstanding this in the eyes of the law she was not ‘a member of the general public’ – she was a member of the family. That makes a huge difference.

Ultimately I suspect there is a lot more to the little girls death than is at first apparent. Indeed I am highly circumspect about many of the fatalities attributed to large constrictors in the USA.

Fair point about the little girl not being classed as a member of the general public. I also agree that the parents were obviously doing a very poor job. I believe one of them has also been charged with illegal drug possesion since the little girl was killed.

Right now I'm not sure if I'd be for or against some kind of restriction over there. I have an interest as south florida is an area I've spent a lot of time in. And we intend to retire there. I've spent extended periods of time in the everglades watching wildlife, hunting and fishing. Park officials have told me of their concerns over ptyhons decimating the local wildlife. And so I can see why many people are all for the ban. Though I accept many of these people may not see the whole story.

The fact remains though that the little girls death highlights how easily it is for any old moron to obtain a potentialy lethal reptile and end up with someone being killed as a result of their poor animal keeping skills. I'm sure the members on this thread have their animals housed securely. But no one on here can guarantee the same thing will not happen again. Or that more "exotics" won't be released into the glades causing further problems.