|
RE: Beware: Florida Fish & Wildlife Online Arr
|
Reply
|
|
by inkslinger407 on November 8, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
No this was his first offense with FWC. In fact, I was in the process of signing off on his hours for him to get a venomous permit. In the state of Florida, It is a second degree misdamenor (punishable up to 6 months in the county jail) to sale any reptile without a class 3 dealers permit.
This is what I am trying to tell everyone with this thread, The system is taking things too far!!
I understand florida has the strictist permitting system in the US and I deal with periotic inspections just like every one else who has a florida permit, but FWC is hurting the herp community as a hole by trying to bust everyones balls over the stupidest little things....What happends to the herp community when FWC scares everyone so straight that they are affraid to buy there kid a ball python or corn snake at the next show?
I can only speak for myself, but I breed, trade, and sale reptiles for a living and with the shape of the economy now, I cant afford to lose any more customers and this is what fish & wildlifes ultimate goal is.
This is the reason why this issue must be addressed publicly.
|
| |
|
RE: Beware
|
Reply
|
|
by inkslinger407 on November 8, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I also want everyone to know that I am not trying anger anyone by this posting, I just dont feel that FWC is taking the right approach and want everyones out look (good or bad) on the situation.
Thanks, David
|
| |
|
RE: Beware: Florida Fish & Wildlife Online Arr
|
Reply
|
|
by Kingetula on November 8, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Seems a bit harsh David, I must ask if he has been in trouble in the past as well. I think I read another post many, many months ago where someone was busted (I think in Florida) who kept Venomous snakes in a storage container and got busted butdid no jail time so it is odd what laws they decide gets jail time and what doesn't. Did your friend have an attorney?
|
| |
|
RE: Beware: Florida Fish & Wildlife Online Arr
|
Reply
|
|
by Kingetula on November 8, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
I think I posted after you did but around the same time or I missed the second page... I read your answer above.
|
| |
|
RE: Beware: Florida Fish & Wildlife Online Arr
|
Reply
|
|
by inkslinger407 on November 8, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
No, He did not have a private attorney, but he did have a public pretender and he has not been in any trouble with the law in atleast 10 years. When he went to court, He simply told the judge that he could not afford the fine or would not accept probation (with even more fee's) so they sentenced him friday morning to 4 months in the orange county jail.
|
| |
|
RE: Beware: Florida Fish & Wildlife Online Arr
|
Reply
|
|
by constrictorfreak on November 8, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
We can't even get decent healthcare in this country , but we can go after people trying to make a living . Inkslingers post and actions were justified and legal . And whomever wants to fault him for looking out for the community as a whole , shame on you . He respects this hobby , and doing what it takes to keep it safe , So those of you that don't want D.N.R , FFW , and other various agencies watching this site because of the illegal Monacle Cobras in your closet .... Let those who obey the law , Stand up for their Passion !
|
| |
|
RE: Beware: Florida Fish & Wildlife Online Arr
|
Reply
|
|
by Rob_Carmichael on November 8, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
Fish and Game are just doing their jobs. Bottom line is to know the laws; period. If you break the law, and get caught, you deserve the consequences no matter how harsh. Florida has a problem - a serious, serious problem. It's not just herps - many forms of invasive plants and animals are wreakin havoc on this delicate 'glades system. So, they have to start somewhere and while it does seem a bit excessive, the bottom line is to know the law, work within the system and do everything by the book. If the herp community can't police itself, and, figure out how to become a more professional, conservation-minded and serious group, we are in big trouble. Unfortunately, we don't fly below the radar and become easy targets - especially when people break the law. Just my .02.
|
| |
|
RE: Beware: Florida Fish & Wildlife Online Arr
|
Reply
|
|
by Buzztail1 on November 8, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
A simple search in these forums will show that periodically I warn people that Florida, Georgia, Arizona and California state wildlife agencies (FWC/DNR/etc) as well as US Fish and Wildlife use this site as well as almost all other commonly used sites to track illegal activity within the herp community.
If you are going to post something for sale, it behooves you to research the legalities surrounding your sale.
I cannot tell everyone everyday to not be stupid and post illegal things. If your defense of your actions is that somebody else did the same thing and didn't get arrested, good luck with that.
Rest assured that with all of the publicity that the reptile keeping community is getting, whether it is courtesy of HSUS, API, or just stupid keepers, Law Enforcement agencies will be very publicly doing their jobs and enforcing the laws that already exist.
I am more than happy to hear that. The people that are keeping legally and doing their part to keep our hobby above-board will not have any problems.
R/
Karl
|
| |
|
RE: Beware: Florida Fish & Wildlife Online Arr
|
Reply
|
|
by Kingetula on November 8, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
David,
"He simply told the judge that he could not afford the fine or would not accept probation (with even more fee's) so they sentenced him Friday morning to 4 months in the orange county jail"
That's on him man, I know it sucks but if he had options besides jail and passed... I know you said he couldn't afford it but... I don't know his situation and I know it sucks to sit in jail. Not sure if he has a job or not but he may be loosing much more sitting in jail than paying the fines. (Not sure how much the fines were and I'm not assuming or trying to pry into his life, making general comments) You speed and get caught, you probably get a ticket. You sell your snakes to undercover cops... as the story goes.
|
| |
|
RE: Beware: Florida Fish & Wildlife Online Arr
|
Reply
|
|
by venominme on November 8, 2009
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I can’t imagine what is going on with the claim that somebody is in jail for selling a Ball Python.
Maybe it’s a little confusing, here’s how it looks on the FWC website:
“Class III Wildlife
A permit is required for personal possession, exhibition or sale of Class III wildlife. Class III wildlife are all species not listed as Class I or Class II; and not among those species that are specifically listed as not requiring a permit for personal possession. “
It says right there that if it is specifically listed as not requiring a permit, it isn’t Class III.
Under the section for reptiles requiring a Permit, Reptiles of Concern, Ball python is not one of the six listed species.
Under the very first section on Wildlife Not Requiring a Permit, the very first entry is:
“ 1. Reptiles, amphibians (nonvenomous native species that are not listed as endangered, threatened, species of special concern, or otherwise regulated; nonvenomous nonnative species not listed as Reptiles of Concern) ”
Again, no way a Ball Python is a reptile of concern, or is something you need a permit to possess or sell. Your buddy has not shared the whole story with you or something. Something is missing from the story, as told, no way.
Link to rules on the website, everybody look it up. Unless the rules have changed or the website is no longer accurate, your buddy is not being honest with why he’s in jail. His “Ball python” must have been a Burmese python, Amethystine python, reticulated python or an anaconda or he got the world’s worst lawyer.
http://myfwc.com/RULESANDREGS/Rules_CaptiveCategories.htm#class3
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Check our help page for help using
, or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the
Manager.
|
