Stop Florida Reptile Ban!

[Pete Q]

Had this emailed to me today, take a look.

Stop Florida Reptile Ban!

Dear Friends,
I'm forwarding this request from USARK to all of you. Please take a couple of minutes to respond as everything is completed for you. Our hobby and industry is under attack as NEVER before. The battle can only be one by fighting at this grass roots level. All of you in the Reptile Nation rise up and state your feelings loud and clear. LET THE POWERS THAT BE KNOW WE ARE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH!! Thank you in advance. Just follow the link below to our instant email tool. It is as easy as filling in your info and pushing the submit button. Click here to email FWC and Gov Crist:
http://usark.org/campaign.php?id=8



Tom Crutchfield. www.tomcrutchfield.com
tomcrutchfield1@aol.com
239-645-9661

USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers
http://usark.org


LAST CHANCE- Stop Florida Reptile Ban Now!
You are a stakeholder in this issue even if you don't live in Florida, since this would impact all Reptiles of Concern passing through Florida as well as those produced in Florida. The Reptile Nation has worked very hard with FWC and members of the Florida legislature to craft regulations and statutes that would protect the environment, ensure human and animal safety and retain the ability to pursue our hobby and business. We hope to put the FWC commissioners and Florida Governor on notice that we want the best thing done for the animals, the public and the industry. Also, could you please forward this message to others on your e-mail list.
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet September 9th, 10th and 11th. On the agenda will be Reptiles of Concern and whether to ban them administratively this year. Please don't let this happen! What happens in Florida will have repercussions across the country. We need everyone to weigh in on this and send an email to the FWC Commissioners. Even if you are not a Florida resident you can sign the letter as a potential stakeholder. The Humane Society of the United States has been mischaracterizing the issue and spreading inaccurate statistics. The Reptile Nation needs to be heard from coast to coast on this important debate.
USARK President, Andrew Wyatt will be traveling to Florida to attend the meeting. Let the FWC hear the voice of the Reptile Nation prior to his arrival. We have a very good argument to make, but it will be much more convincing if we get a big email push from the Nation. Just follow the link below to our instant email tool. It is as easy as filling in your info and pushing the submit button. Do it now!
Click here to email FWC and Gov Crist
USARK

This is a public meeting. We urge all Florida residents and stakeholders to come to the meeting and express your concerns. Our issues are on the agenda for the afternoon of the 9th.
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Date: September 9-11, 2009
Place: Mission Inn
10400 County Road 48
Howey-in-the-Hills, FL 34737
Phone: (352) 324-3101
Fax: (352) 324-2636
Website: Orlando Golf Resorts: Mission Inn Resort Club Howey In The Hills Florida FL Mount Dora Lake County Central area golf tennis luxury hotels suites rooms family vacations getaways packages weddings conferences centers meetings planning real estate

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[Pete Q]

Bit from their website.
Occupational Hazard and Public Safety

There are two types of risk associated with livestock management - occupational risk and public safety. These are completely separate issues. In the case of the Reptile Industry, occupational risk is the risk posed to those individuals who work with and around reptiles (not the innocent public). Public safety risk is that posed to the general public outside of the reptile keeper’s facility.

Unusually large specimens of the five largest snake species, venomous snakes and crocodilians do present a moderate occupational risk to their keepers. However, by any objective measure, the risk is no greater than that associated with other traditional livestock or pets. In recent years the Animal Rights (AR) Movement has waged an aggressive and sensational campaign to paint this occupational risk as an eminent threat to public safety. This is a false claim, confusing occupational hazard and public safety.

The AR Movement has lobbied in a number of States to pass legislation that would designate many reptiles as "Inherently Dangerous", seeking to ban private ownership. The reality is that there are many other types of livestock and pets that have been demonstrated, statistically and historically, to be much more dangerous to both keepers and to the public than any reptiles. However, no proposal has been made to label other animals, including dogs, horses, and other livestock, with the designation of "Inherently Dangerous", even though annually they each injure and kill far more people than do any reptile species.

This is an example of the prejudice felt by segments of the public against reptiles. Some people are frightened of reptiles. There is no doubt that reptiles, particularly snakes, carry the baggage of cultural bias, irrational fear and misunderstanding. This is in spite of the fact that only about one person a year is killed in this country by a captive reptile as an occupational hazard, compared to, say, the average 90 people a year that are killed by horses. No members of the general public have been killed by either reptiles or horses in the US.

USARK rejects the designation of "Inherently Dangerous" to describe to any reptile. We understand that there are occupational risks involved in the captive husbandry of the largest examples of five large snake species, and venomous reptiles. It is the position of USARK that only experienced and serious keepers should work with these animals. However, it is important to consider that there is no evidence to suggest that these risks are any greater than those associated with working with other traditional types of livestock or pets - indeed, the measurable risk is significantly less. USARK has developed model legislation that can be enacted at the state level to ensure that keepers working with potentially dangerous reptiles adhere to strict caging standards, safety protocols, escape prevention plans, registration and micro-chipping.

No member of the public, no emergency responder, no innocent bystander has ever been seriously injured or killed by a captive reptile in the United States.

[MJ75]

Originally Posted by Pete Q

No member of the public, no emergency responder, no innocent bystander has ever been seriously injured or killed by a captive reptile in the United States.

Thats not actualy true!

[MJ75]

At least one death occured here. Ironically in Florida :-

Pet Burmese Python Kills Child Shaiunna Hare: Oxford Florida Snake Owned By Charles Jason Darnell | World News | Sky News

[Pete Q]

Here's a little bit on dog attacks in the USA to compair.
DOG BITE LAW - Statistics about dog bites in the USA and elsewhere

[Chris Newman]

Originally Posted by MJ75

Thats not actualy true!

A member of the same family is NOT a member of the public!

[MJ75]

Originally Posted by Chris Newman

A member of the same family is NOT a member of the public!

I'm sure the parents of the little girl involved will take great comfort in your opinion.

[Chris Newman]

Originally Posted by MJ75

I'm sure the parents of the little girl involved will take great comfort in your opinion.

Your point is!

[Lego]

Originally Posted by Chris Newman

A member of the same family is NOT a member of the public!

Originally Posted by Chris Newman

Your point is!

I;M a knob!

[blood and guts]

Originally Posted by MJ75

I'm sure the parents of the little girl involved will take great comfort in your opinion.

Chris stated a simple fact that a family member IS NOT classed as a member of the public. Maybe the parents in many of these cases should worry more about there parenting skills and keeping animals securly.