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Friday, January 28 2011

Snake ban: Lawmaker proposes Lacey Act amendments again

By Cindy Steinle
Fri, January 28 2011 at 11:16

The new year marked the start of a new congressional season, along with another try at amending the Lacey Act to ban importantion of a number of snakes into the United States.

That's right, Florida Representative Thomas Rooney (R) brought back the bill he tried to get passed last year; the exact language of this year's bill is not yet available.

GovTrack.us reports that the new bill, HR 511, has been referred to committee. Rooney's website has this to say:

U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney (FL-16) today introduced legislation to protect the Everglades and surrounding communities from dangerous, imported snakes like African rock pythons and boa constrictors. Rooney’s bill would restrict the importation of specific breeds of snakes, which continue to cause extensive damage to the Everglades, into the United States.

[....]

Rooney’s bill would add the following species of snakes to the “Lacey Act,” effectively banning them from importation into the United States: Burmese python, northern African python, southern African python, reticulated python, green anaconda, yellow anaconda, Beni or Bolivian python, DeSchauensee’s anaconda, and boa constrictor.

As usual, we will keep the community up to date on this. To read the full statement from Rep. Rooney's website, click here.

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I feel its unfair cuz u have people who buy these beautiful creatures n don't know how 2 handle them n either they fail 2 maintain them or can't handle them no more cuz either 2 large 2 handle or no $$$$ 2 keep up with the cost that's when we hear tragic stories on the news. Its unfair because am a creature lover n who owns a boa I have her 4 the past 5yrs n counting. I say its unfair 4 the people who r the hobbiest who can handle there babies n 2 know they can no longer receive them. It wasn't passed last yr this yr I hope it won't b passed. Let me know if u need signature or signatures 2 prevent this bill from passing =)

#1 Angi on 2011-01-28 11:57 (Reply)

Some of the problem with the presentation of all these bills is it is being sent out as an issue created by pet owners when in all likelyhood it is an issue caused by the devastation of a facility during a hurricane.

Another issue that is being presented is that these animals are a problem nationwide as an invasive species while their natural range is limited to a small part of florida. Several studies have confirmed that these animals can NOT live beyond this area.

#1.1 Cindy Steinle (Homepage) on 2011-01-28 15:21 (Reply)

Maybe if they wrote in that you could own them but had to have a license or some documentation, that would be good. Also the requirement to tag or microchip your snakes so if they did get lost or released, they could go after you.

I guess really, depending on the language of it, I may be for it. This wouldn't have happened if people didn't act so irresponsible. So if many are going to act like immature children, we're going to be treated as such. We had the chance and didn't take advantage of it.

#2 Tomb on 2011-01-28 12:41 (Reply)

I personally do not think that is their desire to offer this as an option. However see above comment. I am of the personal opinion that these are in fact not released pets.

The end result of placing these animals on the Lacey act is it becomes illegal for them to cross state lines. In my case that would not only include the numerous educational events I participate in but also removes the option of me taking animals to a vet in Northern IL. This law will impact beyond sales, this impacts anyone owning these species.

#2.1 Cindy Steinle (Homepage) on 2011-01-28 15:23 (Reply)

Maybe it's time we fight fire with fire. If Representative Rooney wants to portray his state as backwards perhaps it's time to tell him that we stop visiting and spending money there. Where would the good state of Florida be with out the tourism industry. I encourage one all to write Representative Rooney and let him know that you and your family will not be visiting Floida for vacation this year and will not be spending one thin dime there either.

#3 Alex on 2011-01-29 15:39 (Reply)

Have the US Government not yet learned that this is a Florida problem?

Mother Nature has proven that these animals can't live anywhere in the United States outside of Southern Florida, so it seems pretty pointless, if you ask me.

#4 James Mintram on 2011-01-29 16:14 (Reply)

It says 'import.' I'm assuming that means just from the wild. With the reproduction rate for some of these species, I don't see where importation from the wild is really needed. If that is incorrect, then I retract that statement, lol.

Cindy, as for you not being able to cross state lines if this law is passed, its a shame they won't fine tune this law if it's passed to make it acceptable to transport them for medical and educational expenses.

I agree with many of the others that have posted, it shouldn't be banned completely, but restrictions should be made. And not just on these species, but on venomous as well. I personally don't think anyone should be able to buy certain snakes on a whim.

#5 pythonaddict on 2011-01-30 20:11 (Reply)

That should be medical and educational reasons.

#6 pythonaddict on 2011-01-30 20:12 (Reply)

It may say import but any addition to the Lacey act also governs crossing of state lines.

#7 Cindy Steinle (Homepage) on 2011-01-30 20:28 (Reply)

Brilliant. Let's ban the imaginary Bolivian Python.

Time to schmooze with your Congressmen folks.

#8 Steve on 2011-01-31 16:19 (Reply)

Yep, Remember Steve, I didnt write it. I just reported on it.

#8.1 Cindy Steinle (Homepage) on 2011-01-31 16:25 (Reply)

Rooney is a worthless politician. He claims in his legislation that the burms in the glades are a result of careless pet owners, when it's been proven that the ones they've caught were from a facility that got destroyed by hurricane Andrew.

What's even more absurd is Rooney just passed a bill for farmers in the glades to get aid because the freezing temps destoyed the crops there. And some how he thinks Burms are going to be prolific and survive these freezing temps???
It would be one thing if Rooney had a degree in biology or something of that nature, then the bill he's introducing might have some merit. But he doesn't.
It's just a big dog & pony show for congress. Pathetic.

#9 Ride the light on 2011-02-01 11:06 (Reply)

H.R.511 -- To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the importation of various injurious species of constrictor snakes. (Introduced in House - IH)

HR 511 IH
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 511
To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the importation of various injurious species of constrictor snakes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 26, 2011
Mr. ROONEY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the importation of various injurious species of constrictor snakes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. IMPORTATION OR SHIPMENT OF INJURIOUS SPECIES.
Section 42(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended in the first sentence by inserting after `polymorpha;' the following: `of the Indian python of the species Python molurus, including the Burmese python of the species Python molurus bivittatus; of the reticulated python of the species Broghammerus reticulatus or Python reticulatus; of the Northern African python of the species Python sebae; of the Southern African python of the species Python natalensis; of the boa constrictor of the species Boa constrictor; of the yellow anaconda of the species Eunectes notaeus; of the DeSchauensee's anaconda of the species Eunectes deschauenseei; of the green anaconda of the species Eunectes murinus; of the Beni anaconda of the species Eunectes beniensis;'.

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#14 betbookmaker on 2011-02-13 13:38 (Reply)

More tax dollars wasted. For Rooney to once again try and pass this bill is just plain stupid! The "python problem" if you really want to call it that is a South Florida problem. Florida has a R.O.C. permit system in place. Problem solved. So why is he still trying to pass this bill? We need to look to who is working behind the scenes. You will more than likely find the rancid stink of the HSUS or similar animal "rights" groups. This bill will set the precident for future legislation that will eventually lead to all non-native herps being banned. We need to do everything we can once again to stop this bill in its tracks. So everyone please if you love your pet reptiles and Im not just talking Burmes, Boa, Retics, etc that is on this list,make a donation to USARK to fight this bill. We need to make sure that we are heard, and USARK is the voice of the Reptile Community.

#15 Chris F. on 2011-02-15 22:12 (Reply)

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Friday, January 28 2011

Snake ban: Lawmaker proposes Lacey Act amendments again

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