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NC-Snake lovers lament new law
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by tigers9 on September 6, 2009
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http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1677202.html
Snake lovers lament new law
N.C. says lock updangerous reptiles
BY SADIA LATIFI, Staff Writer
RALEIGH - Buttercup loves to wrap herself around visitors, embracing their arms and torsos with her sunshine-colored coils.
But the 16-foot boa constrictor might not be able to slither freely for much longer. Starting Dec. 1, a new state law will require that venomous reptiles, crocodilians and snakes that squeeze must be kept under lock and key.
Dozens of reptile vendors hissed about the new restrictions Saturday at the Carolina Reptile and Exotic Animal Show, which continues today at the N.C. State Fairgrounds.
"It's irresponsible owners that create a stupid panic," said Frank Shealy, a teacher and snake vendor from South Boston, Va.
The new law says that owners of these animals must keep the reptiles in bite- and escape-proof containers with locks. They must also keep a written bite protocol near the container that has contact information for local animal control and guidelines for antivenin treatments.
Mack Robinette of Charlotte, vice president of the U.S. Association of Reptile Keepers, said the new law was reasonable.
"There are probably people upset about it," Robinette said, "but it's common sense, nothing extreme."
The new measure was the result of a compromise. Two years ago, snakes and other species of reptiles escaped inclusion in a controversial effort by animal rights groups to ban private ownership of "inherently dangerous" animals. That bill never made it past the House floor after outspoken reptile owners and farmers said the proposal covered too many animals.
"We're much happier that this is what happened," Robinette said.
If one of the reptiles covered by the new law escapes, the owner must call authorities immediately. People who don't follow the new rules can be charged with a misdemeanor and possibly more if someone gets injured. Excluded from the new law are veterinarians, zookeepers and wildlife control agents.
Jack Jacobs, an Apex resident who was browsing through the iguanas at the expo, said he once accidentally let his red-tailed python out of the cage.
"That was a little scary, but I found it before the neighbors did," Jacobs said. "That was my first snake. I'm much better about locking up now."
Candy Martin, a Georgia resident and one of Buttercup's owners, said mistakes often happen with inexperienced owners.
"We try to be real conscientious and make sure buyers know what they're getting into," Martin said.
Owners acknowledge that laws are often driven by occasional freak accidents - but many more said it reflects that, well, reptiles aren't as well-liked.
"Accidents can of course happen," said Shealy, who has owned snakes for 37 years without a single incident. "But I bet horses probably kill more people. Everybody likes horses, though."
Robinette agreed that it can be hard to drum up mainstream support for reptile owners' rights -- even though sales of the low-maintenance animals increase each year.
The Carolina expo itself is 13 years old, and the two-day event draws more than 7,000 people each year.
"Until we have soccer moms wearing shirts that say 'I love reptiles,' we're still a counterculture," Robinette said.
sadia.latifi@newsobserver .com or (919) 932-2002
Get it all with convenient home delivery of The News & Observer.
IF YOU GO
Carolina Reptile and Exotic Animal Show
National breeders and manufacturers selling reptiles, birds and mammals along with cages, food and supplies, and live animal shows and seminars on animal breeding and care.
N.C. State Fairgrounds, Exposition Center, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.
General admission ages 13 and over is $9, senior citizens and ages 5 to 12 is $6, ages 4 and under admitted free
For more info: www.gilaproductions.com
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RE: NC-Snake lovers lament new law
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by atwageman on September 6, 2009
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I wonder how many NC residents keeping snakes that this law applies too, will actually comply with it? Especialy in terms of lockable caging, bite proof caging.
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RE: NC-Snake lovers lament new law
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by pictigaster1 on September 6, 2009
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I guess if we leave it to conjecture not to many.Yet I would like to think all will comply.This is only the tip of an iceberg and a avalanch is comming.The general public is never going to understand a mamba next door.It will never happen.
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RE: NC-Snake lovers lament new law
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by atwageman on September 6, 2009
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You're right no one will ever understand. Heck I got neighbors that freak out over a black rat snake. Last week I got a snake removal call from a suburbanite who got pissed that the county animal control dept. where I live didn't deal with snakes, only cats and dogs. The pissed part was because I charge for my services. They were the type of customer who thinks govco should handle everything. They were transplants from North NJ.
The sh*t really hit the fan when I handed them by business card and told them to visit my website.
Btw, it was a nice gravid copperhead I removed.
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RE: NC-Snake lovers lament new law
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by Cro on September 6, 2009
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Like Mack said, the law is reasonable.
Venomous snakes and large constrictors need to be kept locked up.
It really is not much different from keeping your dog in YOUR yard.
And having bite protocols and antivenin sources with the cage is OK also. That is something responsible keepers should be doing anyway.
But, as August stated, how many folks are going to comply with the new law ?
My guess that serious keepers will, as they have been doing all along. And the dumb redneck trailer trash hicks will continue to keep their Burmese pythons in aquariums, with quilts tied on top.
And because of that, more folks will get killed.
And next time around, the laws will probably just outlaw all of those snakes, and USARK will probably not be able to stop it.
The folks in the article complaining at that North Carolina show sound like the same kind of selfish nitwhits who were complaining at the Atlanta show.
How hard is it for folks to follow a few simple rules about keeping their snakes in a safe way ?
The law that was passed in NC is reasonable. It was much more restrictive when it was originally introduced.
At times, I almost wish that folks who keep the large constrictors would lose that right. Then they might look back and finally appreciate just what kind of freedoms they once had.
Best Regards
John Z
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RE: NC-Snake lovers lament new law
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by Cro on September 6, 2009
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Good point Randal.
Perhaps too much Jeff Foxworthy ?
Seriously though, the irresponsible keepers, NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE, are going to be the death of this hobby.
They are the ones who are going to let snakes escape.
They are the ones who are going to buy a large constrictor because they think it is cool, and they will have no idea how to keep it.
And the Burmese breeders will sell it to them.
They are the ones who are going to buy a venomous snake and get bitten by it.
And SOME of the venomous dealers will sell it to them. The responsible dealers won't.
They are the same type who will be standing there when their pit bull dog gets out of its fence and eats some kid, and they will be saying, well, it usually stays in its fense.
They are the ones whining about the new laws in NC, no matter how reasonable those laws are.
The world is full of those irresponsible folks.
And I repeat, They will be the death of the reptile hobby.
Best Regards
John Z
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RE: NC-Snake lovers lament new law
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by pictigaster1 on September 6, 2009
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Well cousin grandpa got him a double wide and my brother uncle dave has a no wheeler.WEES MOVIN UP.
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RE: NC-Snake lovers lament new law
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by lanceheads on September 6, 2009
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Now that's pretty good Archie! LOL!
However, I have to Agree with John's post, it WILL be the STUPID one's who will ruin this for us.
However, Florida has had the law North Carolina has enacted for many years. (except the bite-proof cages) whatever that means!
Got any more trailer jokes Archie? hmmmm?
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RE: NC-Snake lovers lament new law
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by pictigaster1 on September 6, 2009
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Randal My cup over flows .But I too agree with John .If I start on the trailor jokes I will get in trouble again.
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