New Legislation against herps

[BWSmith]

Washington State House Bill 1151

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> It is the intent of the state of
Washington to protect the public against health and safety risks that
dangerous wild animals pose to the community and to protect the welfare
of the individual animals held in private possession. </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

There is a grandfather clause.

Here is a partial list of animals propsed to be banned and listed as &quot;Dangerous Animals&quot;:
Water Monitors, Croc Monitors
Green Iguanas, Rock Iguanas
ANY boid that has the potential to exceed 8 feet
Boomslangs, African Twig Snakes, Kelback Snakes
ALL Elapids, vipers and crocadilians

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> Every dangerous wild animal must be
implanted with a microchip, at the expense of the possessor </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>Every dangerous wild animal must be
spayed or neutered, at the expense of the possessor </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> A possessor of a dangerous wild
animal shall maintain liability insurance coverage in an amount of not
less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

There is also a personal possesion permit needed to be grandfathered in, but I did find where it mentions NEW owners.

This could turn into a major blow to the herp community. I urge everyone to send letters and emails to the Washington State Legislature. Even though this may not be in your state, your state might be next and we all need to look out for the community as a whole.

I will be the first to admit that I favor a permit system for venomous. But I also believe that it needs to be attainable (not the case in GA). We need to get involved and offer alternatives, we cannot leave it up to politicians who know nothing of herps and other animals except what they see on the news and what the API, HSUS and PETA tell them. If they are worried about dangerous animals, let show them statistics on dogs and horses killing humans.

If you do respond to them, be civil, to the point, and logical. It is the only way for us to be taken seriously.

Full view of bill is located here : .House Bill 1151

_________________
We all have a maggot in our past that threatens to eat our future

[Stormyva]

It is really sad that bills like this can be drafted and even presented with a total and utter lack of research and information on the part of the ones that were responsible for drafting them!
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[trinitywolf]

I took a moment to write to every one of these represenatives. I don't live in Washington, but I think it is important to take a moment of your time to write, even if it is just to tell them to vote NO to 1151.
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[JuliusSqueezer]

When is the last time someone was killed or seriously injured in Washington by a twigsnake? I won't even address the evil iguanas LOL.
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[trinitywolf]

I just thought that I would share the response to my e-mail.Mr. Doll:



<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>
Mr. Doll:

You'll be pleased to know there is an amendment already drafted to eliminate
the family Boidae from the bill, as well as green iguanas. The bill has
it's first hearing tomorrow, and I'm certain other compromises will be
found. Thanks for your comments.

Rep. John Lovick
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

Although I am pleased to hear this, I am still concerned with some of the venomous legislation.
I am impressed that Mr. Lovick took the time to write me back.
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[BWSmith]

Sent out my emails.
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[herm]

Just more &quot;let's punish the law abiding and responsible for the bad behavior of a few&quot; crap. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif[/img]
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[talon]

I don't agree with this proposed law but something needs to be done. I know people in my own town who keep venomous and Should not! I have troubles convincing fellow herpers proper care and conduct of there reptiles. (temps..feeding..etc) I tried to explain the yeah its alive but its not healthy deal but i almost wish that their were some educated restrictions.
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[1sttimesnakeowner]

You can count me in.... Do you have the website of all email addrs? We can mass email everyone that way.....
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[1sttimesnakeowner]

I found this http://www.senate.gov/general/contac...nators_cfm.cfm and this one as well http://www.sxpress.com/~maddkp/activ...gislators.html Click under
Your Washington State Legislature Members for a list of email addrs. I havent started emailing yet. I will have a form email I send out 1st.
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[1sttimesnakeowner]

*****If you do respond to them, be civil, to the point, and logical. It is the only way for us to be taken seriously. *****

I 2nd that..... I am working on my letter as I read the bill.

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[1sttimesnakeowner]

Geee, I got all the U.S Senate....Sorry guys its late. I am headed for bed if anyone finds anything we should post it.

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[1sttimesnakeowner]

Ok I have all my letters sent! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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