OK...I'll bite....

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana Forum ]

Posted by Mr. D on March 30, 2003 at 10:35:12:

In Reply to: Good reply.....who's next? hahaha! n/p posted by IGUANA JOE on March 28, 2003 at 23:48:50:

Permitting system? Absolutely.... Registration of an animal? Why just dogs? Not a bad idea for a couple of reasons. Stolen animals, being able to locate an owner, etc. Microchips can be used on a WIDE variety of animals these days and they work - especially on stray animals. I read a story somewhere on PetHobbyist of a dog that had been stolen/missing for 6 years. Several states away it went stray but thanks to a microchip implant the dog was actually reunited with it's owner - 6 years later after being stolen. That's good enough reason for me. Some of our animals can fetch high prices on the black market. Why not take steps to hellp recover them should something happen?

Bans on particular animals? IF the permitting system is working you shouldn't need them. Of course there will ALWAYS be individuals breaking the rules but if/when caught there will already be consequenses as a result of the permitting system. Bans, in general, won't work because they will simply force particular species "underground" where they most likely will not receive the correct husbandry OR correct veterinary care if/when the time comes for it.

Who administers/enforces this? Based strictly on my state's RSA's I would say that the state vet's office handles issuance of permits and local ACO's/ACI's enforce. This in and of itself is a scary statement I realize. HOWever, the state vet has the authority to "deputize" anyone that they wish in order to assist with the offices functions. Read into that that it would be possible to "deputize" a knowledgeable person - someone with greater expertise that a state vet may have - say a member of a local herp society, and call on their expertise when necessary. Getting ACO's/ACI's up to speed would be more of a challenge but that is also where local herp societies could play a part. Who sets the initial standards? That would require a fair amount of research obviously but much of it has already been performed by - yes, local herp societies and reptile keepers in general.Of course, several state "officials" would have to be appointed to verify husbandry information etc. but a fair amount of the groundwork has already been laid. All that needs to happen is to have someone actually institute a plan.

The BIGGER concern, in my opinion, is to actually convince the legal system that animal cruelty and animal-related legal matters are just as much a crime as anything else. It's absolutely apalling the way the majority of cruelty cases are handled. Note that I said majority - there will always be exceptions.

Bottom line, if you're qualified to handle/keep a species you should be allowed to. Being qualified encompasses proper husbandry including adequate sized housing, the ability to afford to keep a particular species, AND the ability to ensure that John/Jane Q. in the neighborhood will be safe and that your species of choice will be under control at all times. Wait a minute - that sounds like "responsibility" to me. Meet these requirements and I see no reason why an individual should not be allowed to keep anything. Personally, there are animals that I don't think should be allowed to be kept but I'm not going to tell someone that they can't keep it simply because I think they're nuts...;) Too many people think I'M nuts but they aren't telling me I can't do something. Care for it properly and make sure that it doesn't have an opportunity to escape and we'll all get along just fine. Wait, there's that "responsibility" thing again......

Follow Ups: