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Attempt to ban or restrict Exotics in Florida??
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by Mustangrde1 on March 9, 2006
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Florida, Representative Ralph Poppell and Senator Posey announced on February 9, 2006 their joint bill to restrict the trade in dangerous reptiles.
This Bill is apparently the work of Carole Baskin from "Big Cat Rescue of Tampa Florida"
Below are some excerpts from this proposed bill from the Big Cat Rescue website. http://www.bigcatrescue.org/laws/2006python.htm
Florida's constitution is so badly flawed on this subject that cities and counties are precluded from being able to draft more protective laws. As a result the animals continue to suffer lives of deprivation and abuse. Those who live in and visit Florida are exposed to the dangers of being attacked by escaped tigers, anacondas, bears, wolves and monkeys
The above is contradicted on her own website where she post the statistic of exotic accidents over a 16 year time frame.
http://www.bigcatrescue.org/big_cat_news_f...FLincidents.htm
Persons Killed 9
Persons Injured 60
Escaped 57
Pets Killed 12
Reported incidents in FL 138
This proposed bill, referred to as the Python Bill, opens up the Florida Statutes to amend the language to ban the un necessary breeding of monkeys, non domestic cats, non domestic dogs, bears, wolverines and dangerous reptiles. Accredited zoos could still breed as needed for conservation efforts, but this bill would stop the backyard breeders who often claim to be saving the species when all they are really doing are using the babies and then discarding them. http://www.bigcatrescue.org/laws/2006python.htm
In her own words this is a BAN on private keeping of ALL exotics
What the bill does:
Stops the breeding of exotic animals unless they are specifically called for by the Species Survival Plan for conservation purposes.
Re classes animals that are defined as dangerous and therefore not suitable as pets to be all non domestic cats, all non domestic dogs, bears, primates, wolverines, poisonous reptiles and pythons.
Limits transport of dangerous animals to being on the road only for the purpose of going to one permitted facility to another or to a licensed veterinarian.
Stops contact between the public and dangerous exotic animals.
Ends the buying, selling and trading in dangerous exotic animals outside of accredited zoos.
Defines a sanctuary as a place that does not breed, buy, sell or trade.
Most importantly, this bill allows cities and counties to enact rules that are more provide a higher level of safety for their citizens and better conditions for the animals.
It is very interesting that this lady list 138 incidents yet fails to mention her own violation’s
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/339824...+leopard+attack
I urge everyone to Call The Florida Fish and Game Conservation Commission and voice your opinions and concerns regarding this bill as well as these two State Politicians Offices..
Representative Ralph Poppell
Capitol Office:
1102 The Capitol
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: (850) 488-3006
District Office:
Suite 1C
400 South Street
Titusville, FL 32780-7610
Phone: (321) 383-5151
or
1225 Main Street
Sebastian, FL 32958-4165
Phone: (772) 770-6708
E-mail http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/sections/Rep...66&SessionId=42
Senator Bill Posey
District Office:
1802 S. Fiske Boulevard,
Suite 108
Rockledge, FL
32955-3007
(321) 690-3484
SunCom 362-3484
Legislative Assistants: Patrick Gavin and
John Mac Iver
Tallahassee Office:
Room 316
Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL
32399-1100
(850) 487-5053
SunCom 277-5053
Legislative Assistant: Russell Cyphers
Email:posey.bill.web@ flsenate.gov
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Farris Bryant Building
620 South Meridian Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
(850) 488-4676
Fax: (850) 488-1961
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RE: Attempt to ban or restrict Exotics in Florida?
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by Rob_Carmichael on March 9, 2006
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Although I think a blanket law is a sign of a knee jerk reaction mentality, Florida is facing some critical issues particularly in regards to non native reptiles and their effect on Florida's biodiversity. Burmese pythons and spectacled caiman are now well established as are probably several dozen non native reptiles that could be causing all kinds of problems for this delicate ecosystem. Its the bad apples in this hobby that are ruining it for the responsible folks but the lawmakers have a job to protect the general public, and the land, and as long as 16' burms are making headlines in the news, that just adds more fuel to the fire for more stringent legislation. It inevitable in my opinion and Florida will most likely be the next state to jump on the all our herp ban bandwagon....I can't say I blame them too much. Hopefully, they will build some sort of clause for those who are reputable breeders, educators, rescue facilities, etc. so that they can continue to enjoy what they are doing.
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL
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RE: Attempt to ban or restrict Exotics in Florida?
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by Mustangrde1 on March 9, 2006
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Panndorras box opened
Group: Admin
Posts: 7809
Joined: 1-August 04
From: South Florida
Member No.: 6
Sex:Male
Well I made my phone call just now expecting a answering machine and actually got a live human... They reffered me on to HB1459 with the explanation that there is no plans to ban anything but ask for a better permitting system and accounting of reptiles... They were NOT on a bill this lady from big cat rescue wrote that makes them apear to be the sponsors of a ban on exotics.. That is her wording of a FALSE BILL and NOT one before the Florida house!
Very little has been changed and what has been changed follows suit with what the Florida Captive Wildlife Technical Assistance Group has recommended.
Senator Posey and Rep Poppell ARE NOT trying to ban anything! here is the Bill that was submitted in its full text... on March 7th 2006.
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Doc...59&Session=2006
HB 1459 2006
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1459-00
Page 1 of 7
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to regulated reptiles; amending s. 372.86
,
3 F.S.; requiring the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
4 Commission to establish a list of reptiles subject to
5 regulation; authorizing the commission to adopt rules;
6 amending s. 372.87, F.S.; requiring licensure for the
7 keeping, possessing, or exhibiting of regulated reptiles;
8 amending s. 372.88, F.S.; increasing the required bond
9 amount for the exhibition of regulated reptiles; requiring
10 such bonds to be payable to the commission; amending s.
11 372.89, F.S.; requiring safe, secure, and proper housing
12 of regulated reptiles; amending s. 372.90, F.S.; providing
13 for the transportation of regulated reptiles; amending s.
14 372.901, F.S.; providing for the inspection of regulated
15 reptiles; requiring the commission to establish a
16 reporting system for certain activities related to
17 regulated reptiles; amending s. 372.91, F.S.;
authorizing
18 certain persons to open regulated reptile cages;
19 renumbering s. 372.911, F.S., relating to rewards, to
20 conform; renumbering and amending s. 372.912, F.S.,
21 relating to organized regulated reptile hunts; amending s.
22 372.92, F.S.; providing criminal penalties for certain
23 activities related to regulated reptiles; providing an
24 effective date.
25
26 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
27
HB 1459 2006
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hb1459-00
Page 2 of 7
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
28 Section 1. Section 372.86, Florida Statutes, is amended to
29 read:
30 372.86 Possessing or, exhibiting regulated poisonous or
31 venomous reptile; license required.—
32 (1) The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shall
33 establish a list of venomous, nonnative, or other reptiles for
34 which the possession, transportation, or exhibition is
35 regulated. The commission is authorized to adopt rules pursuant
36 to chapter 120 to implement the provisions of ss. 372.86-372.91.
37 (2) No person, firm, or corporation shall keep, possess,
38 or exhibit any regulated poisonous or venomous reptile without
39 first having obtained a special permit or license therefor from
40 the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as herein
41 provided.
42 Section 2. Section 372.87, Florida Statutes, is amended to
43 read:
44 372.87 License fee; renewal, revocation.--The Fish and
45 Wildlife Conservation Commission is hereby authorized and
46 empowered to issue a license or permit for the keeping,
47 possessing, or exhibiting of regulated poisonous or
venomous
48 reptiles, upon payment of an annual fee of $100 and upon
49 assurance that all of the provisions of ss. 372.86-372.91 and
50 such other reasonable rules and regulations as said commission
51 may prescribe will be fully complied with in all respects. Such
52 permit may be revoked by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
53 Commission upon violation of any of the provisions of ss.
54 372.86-372.91 or upon violation of any of the rules and
55 regulations prescribed by said commission relating to the
HB 1459 2006
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hb1459-00
Page 3 of 7
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
56 keeping, possessing, and exhibiting of any regulated poisonous
57 and venomous reptiles. Such permits or licenses shall be for an
58 annual period to be prescribed by the said commission and shall
59 be renewable from year to year upon the payment of said fee and
60 shall be subject to the same conditions, limitations, and
61 restrictions as herein set forth.
62 Section 3. Section 372.88, Florida Statutes, is amended to
63 read:
64 372.88 Bond required, amount.--No person, party, firm, or
65 corporation shall exhibit to the public either with or without
66 charge, or admission fee any regulated poisonous or venomous
67 reptile without having first posted a good and sufficient bond
68 in writing in the penal sum of $10,000 $1,000 payable to the
69 Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Governor of the state,
70 and the Governor's successors in office, conditioned that such
71 exhibitor will indemnify and save harmless all persons from
72 injury or damage from such regulated poisonous or venomous
73 reptiles so exhibited and shall fully comply with all laws of
74 the state and all rules and regulations of the Fish and Wildlife
75 Conservation commission governing the keeping, possessing, or
76 exhibiting of regulated poisonous or venomous reptiles;
77 provided, however, that the aggregate liability of the surety
78 for all such injuries or damages shall, in no event, exceed the
79 penal sum of said bond. The surety for said bond must be a
80 surety company authorized to do business under the laws of the
81 state or in lieu of such a surety, cash in the sum of $10,000
82 $1,000 may be posted with the said commission to ensure
83 compliance with the conditions of said bond.
HB 1459 2006
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hb1459-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
84 Section 4. Section 372.89, Florida Statutes, is amended to
85 read:
86 372.89 Safe housing required.--All persons, firms, or
87 corporations licensed under this law to keep, possess, or
88 exhibit regulated poisonous or venomous reptiles shall provide
89 safe, secure, and proper housing for said reptiles in cases,
90 cages, pits, or enclosures. It shall be unlawful for any person,
91 firm, or corporation, whether licensed hereunder or not, to
92 keep, possess, or exhibit any regulated poisonous or venomous
93 reptiles in any manner not approved as safe, secure, and proper
94 by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
95 Section 5. Section 372.90, Florida Statutes, is amended to
96 read:
97 372.90 Transportation.--Regulated Poisonous or venomous
98 reptiles may be transported only in the following fashion: The
99 reptile, or reptiles shall be placed in a stout closely woven
100 cloth sack, tied or otherwise secured. This sack shall then be
101 placed in a box. The box shall be of strong material in solid
102 sheets, except for small air holes, which holes shall be
103 screened. Boxes containing poisonous or venomous snakes or other
104 reptiles shall be prominently labeled "Danger--Poisonous Snakes"
105 or "Danger--Poisonous Reptiles."
106 Section 6. Section 372.901, Florida Statutes, is amended
107 to read:
108 372.901 Inspection and reporting.—
109 (1) Regulated Poisonous or venomous reptiles, held in
110 captivity, shall be subject to inspection by an
inspecting
111 officer from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The
HB 1459 2006
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hb1459-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
112 inspecting officer shall determine whether the said reptiles are
113 securely, properly, and safely penned. In the event that the
114 reptiles are not safely penned, the inspecting officer shall
115 report the situation in writing to the person or firm owning the
116 said reptiles. Failure of the owner or exhibitor to correct the
117 situation within 30 days after such written notice shall be
118 grounds for revocation of the license or permit of said owner or
119 exhibitor.
120 (2) The commission shall establish by rule a reporting
121 system for regulated reptiles. Such reports may include, but are
122 not limited to, information regarding:
123 (a) The purchase or other acquisition of a regulated
124 reptile.
125 ( The possession of a regulated reptile.
126 © The sale, gift, or other transfer of a regulated
127 reptile.
128 (d) The death, destruction, or other disposition of a
129 regulated reptile.
130 Section 7. Section 372.91, Florida Statutes, is amended to
131 read:
132 372.91 Who may open cages, pits, or other containers
133 housing regulated poisonous or venomous reptiles.--No person
134 except the licensee or her or his authorized employee shall open
135 any cage, pit, or other container which contains regulated
136 poisonous or venomous reptiles.
137 Section 8. Section 372.911, Florida Statutes, is
138 renumbered as section 372.0715, Florida Statutes.
HB 1459 2006
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hb1459-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
139 Section 9. Section 372.912, Florida Statutes, is
140 renumbered as section 372.902, Florida Statutes, and amended to
141 read:
142 372.902 372.912 Organized regulated poisonous reptile
143 hunts.—
144 (1) All persons, firms, and corporations sponsoring and
145 conducting any organized regulated poisonous reptile hunt for
146 whatever purpose shall comply with the provisions of ss. 372.86-
147 372.91.
148 (2) All persons participating in any organized regulated
149 poisonous reptile hunt in the state which is sponsored and
150 conducted by a nonprofit organization registered with the
151 Department of State under the provisions of chapter 617 shall be
152 exempt from the licensing provisions contained in ss. 372.86,
153 372.87, and 372.88, only for the duration of said
organized
154 hunt.
155 (3) All organized regulated poisonous reptile hunts in the
156 state shall be registered with the Fish and Wildlife
157 Conservation Commission and be subject to reasonable rules and
158 regulations promulgated by said commission.
159 Section 10. Section 372.92, Florida Statutes, is amended
160 to read:
161 372.92 Rules and regulations; penalties.—
162 (1) The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission may
163 prescribe such other rules and regulations as it may deem
164 necessary to prevent the escape of regulated poisonous and
165 venomous reptiles, either in connection of construction of such
166 cages or otherwise to carry out the intent of ss. 372.86-372.91.
HB 1459 2006
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hb1459-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
167 (2) Any person who violates a provision of ss. 372.86-
168 372.91 or any rule or regulation established under ss. 372.86-
169 372.91 commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as
170 provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
171 (3) Any person who knowingly releases a regulated reptile
172 to the wild or who through gross negligence allows a regulated
173 reptile to escape commits a felony of the third degree,
174 punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
175 Section 11. This act shall take effect July 1, 2006.
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RE: Attempt to ban or restrict Exotics in Florida?
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by MoccasinMan on March 13, 2006
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I am not suprised by the misinformation being put forward by the Big Cat Rescue. They are responsible for instigating AR legislation in many states. They are closley linked to API... the group who wrote the exotic ban bill that has recently been making its way around the SE. They have close ties to the NC Zoo at Ashboro and through their contacts at the Zoo forwarded this bill that was sponsored by Sen. Garwood here last winter. They are zealous activists at the beckon call of API. They will spin the truth to their own ends at every opportunity. They use the fictitious threat of disease, and physical danger to the public, in their campaign of "Scare Tactics". They are not above outright lies or eco-terror tactics to promote their extreme agenda. They are the insidious opponents of civil liberty cloaked in the disguise of "champion of the oppressed".
Andrew
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RE: Attempt to ban or restrict Exotics in Florida?
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by FLVenom911 on March 13, 2006
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Yeah Carole is indeed quite the liar. But oh well, at least our FL FWC see's right through her left field agenda.
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