New York Update

[EricWI]

New York state is on the verge of passing a ban on reptiles and other exotic animals. As of now, Governor Pataki has by November 2nd to either veto or sign this law. Please write if you haven't done so already and pass this information along! New York is a state that other cities and states use model legislation from. If this passes, your state or city could be next!

His office can be contacted at: (518) 474-8390 or by going to www.state.ny.us/governor/, and clicking on “contact the governor”.

[ginevive]

I wrote:

Hello. I am writing in regards to the proposed reptile ban in our state. I, and many close friends of mine, keep harmless snakes such as Ball Pythons as pets. These snakes are kept securely in locked cages in my friends' homes, and are not a threat to anyone in the population. These small snakes are not venomous or poisonous, and are no threat to the outside world. They are actually a great solution for someone who is allergic to mammals such as cats and dogs. Snakes are hypo-allergenic and thus enable allergic people to keep pets.
I sincerely hope that you will veto this law. The reptile trade in this area is a robust one, and I am sure it generates millions of dollars worth of commerce and tax dollars anually. To ban reptiles of this harmless nature is both unnecessary and detrimental to businesses, individuals, and the state alike.
Thank you for your time.

	Hypomelanistic Hypomelanistic - a genetic reduction in the dark pigment Melanin.

[lethargiic]

from what i have been told and heard, there are tons of people very displeased with the fact that NYS government wants to pass this law, and if Pataki signs the bill, then he will be losing all of his reptile loving supporters. I have wrote to him already concidering that I am from upstate NY and have never EVER heard about problems with owning a snake in the north country. The bears up there are more dangerous and annoying than anything else.

so lets cross our fingers and hope for the best for my fellow NY'ers...if the bill passes then I will never move back to NY.

[EricWI]

Here is my letter. Feel free to disseminate it.

Hello (public official name),

My name is (your name). As a herpetologist and owner of several species of reptiles, I ask you to oppose (bill number and title). In my experiences in working with and maintaining snakes and other reptiles, I have found that if maintained correctly and are provided with secure enclosures, that reptiles, including those mentioned in the bill such as (examples of reptiles mentioned in the bill), pose little to no threat to the general public. One is far more likely to sustain injuries from the domesticated dog, where average of 17 lives are claimed by dogs each year, and nearly 800,000 victims are bitten, with at least 334,000 of those serious enough to require hospitalization. Despite the common emotive myth that exotic animals are difficult to care for, there are numerous resources including literature from bookshops and libraries or newsgroups and web pages constructed by those experienced in maintaining exotic animals that an individual who wishes to own an exotic pet may access.
I am fully aware of the fact that reptiles and other exotic animals carry diseases such as salmonella. However, practicing basic hygiene, such as hand washing after physical contact with a reptile, can easily thwart this bacterial disease. Among the practices of the (your state or area’s herp. Society) include educating the public regarding possible diseases that are transferred from animals to humans and how to prevent contracting them. In the US, the most common origin of salmonella is from improperly cooked meats, where between 90 and 95 % of salmonella cases originate. It is also known as a fact that domesticated animals such as dogs and cats are also capable of spreading diseases such as rabies, cat-scratch disease, and ringworm infections.
In conclusion, I ask that you oppose (bill number and title). I believe that a far more reasonable solution to owning exotic animals would be to implement a permit system for animals mentioned in (bill number and title) that may be revoked if the owner does not demonstrate competence in maintaining their exotic animal. If you wish to contact me regarding further information, I may be reached (your phone number or email address).

Thank you for your time,

(your name)

[AnAcOnDaMaN]

Any update on what happened?

[AnAcOnDaMaN]

Unfortunately can someone clear this up for me. I think they passed the bill. And it says it will take affect January 1, 2005?!

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A02684

[EricWI]

There's still hope. The bill's history only goes up to 10/22/04 when it was sent to the Governor. The text mentions that the ban will take effect in January of 2005 IF it is signed. I still have my fingers crossed.

[EricWI]

I should find out the outcome in the next few days.

[AnAcOnDaMaN]

Thanks for clearing it up

[jmsim7]

hey, I sent my letter in. Thanks so much for bringing that bill up. I had no idea! I live in CNY.

[schmelkdog]

I'm betting some of you are more up on this than I am. Do they list exactly what animals this will cover? I clicked on the link above and saw......
The Legislature finds that keeping exotic animals as
pets poses a serious threat to the health and safety of New York state
residents. Wild animals, including but not limited to, monkeys,
tigers, and venomous snakes,

are they seriously listing BP, boa's, etc.... under this thing? I'm in Connecticut but we know everyone else in the area sort of follows NY's lead.

[EricWI]

The original bill was to outlaw all boa and python species, including small species such as sand boas and ball pythons. Thanks to the herp community, the governor has vetoed it (August 15) and it was amended to include only large species (green anaconda, burmese/indian, african rock, reticulated, and scrub pythons). Also to be outlawed are certain monitors (water, blackthroat, and white throat). This still restricts responsible owners of these reptiles, and it may be subject to change again if it is passed.

[lethargiic]

it has passed state assembly and senate and is back to governor pataki's office. if george is an animal lover then he wont sign it, he already declined it once in august and he understands what it means to NY herpers. if he does veto it again then the bill will be shot.

[EricWI]

He hasn't signed it yet. Apparently the November 2nd date was incorrect. Keep track of the Press releases on Governor Pataki's site. http://www.state.ny.us/governor/. Keep spreading the word and encourage other reptile owners to send letters.There may be still a little time.

[EricWI]

You can figure the rest out.

[EricWI]

I regret to announce that, according to NY reptile expo, Governor Pataki has signed the bill last week and the press release wasn't yet completed. Thanks to all who put in effort.
At least there is a grandfather clause.

[lethargiic]

The bill has passed and will be in effect 1/1/05. the bill covers all boids, crocodilians, monitors and venomous snakes. including exotic mammals, ie lions tigers and monkeys

If you already own a snake prior to this you might be able to get a permit to keep owning em granted you will NOT breed, sell or distribute such animals. now since this has passed there is always the possibility to amend the law.

what sucks even more is that NY is like the grand daddy state of the country so there might be possiblility that more states will try to do what they did..

bah! if florida does this im soooo moving outta the country