S.373: Certain Death for Pet Pythons

[Dragon_sanctuary]

This is the text of S.373:

amend title 18, United States Code, to include constrictor snakes of the species Python genera as an injurious animal.


IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES


February 3, 2009

Mr. NELSON of Florida introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works


A BILL

To amend title 18, United States Code, to include constrictor snakes of the species Python genera as an injurious animal.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. IMPORTATION OR SHIPMENT OF INJURIOUS SPECIES.

Section 42(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is amended in the first sentence by inserting ‘; of the constrictor snake of the species Python genera’ after ‘polymorpha’.

Because of the length of this 'amendment', it seems rather innocuous at first...until you read the law that it would be ammending:

Sec. 42. Importation or shipment of injurious mammals, birds, fish
(including mollusks and crustacea), amphibia, and reptiles;
permits, specimens for museums; regulations


      (a)(1) The importation into the United States, any territory of
    the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of
    Puerto Rico, or any possession of the United States, or any
    shipment between the continental United States, the District of
    Columbia, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any
    possession of the United States, of the mongoose of the species
    Herpestes auropunctatus; of the species of so-called "flying foxes"
    or fruit bats of the genus Pteropus; of the zebra mussel of the
    species Dreissena polymorpha; and such other species of wild
    mammals, wild birds, fish (including mollusks and crustacea),
    amphibians, reptiles, brown tree snakes, or the offspring or eggs
    of any of the foregoing which the Secretary of the Interior may
    prescribe by regulation to be injurious to human beings, to the
    interests of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, or to wildlife or
    the wildlife resources of the United States, is hereby prohibited.
    All such prohibited mammals, birds, fish (including mollusks and
    crustacea), amphibians, and reptiles, and the eggs or offspring
    therefrom, shall be promptly exported or destroyed at the expense
    of the importer or consignee. Nothing in this section shall be
    construed to repeal or modify any provision of the Public Health
    Service Act or Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Also, this
    section shall not authorize any action with respect to the
    importation of any plant pest as defined in the Federal Plant Pest
    Act,(!1) insofar as such importation is subject to regulation under
    that Act.

So basically, if this passes, ALL pythons, reguardless of size, temperment, emotional attachment to or monetary investment in the snake, they will be turend over or siezed by the government and either exported...or killed. This won't just be the importers, folks. This will be every pet store, every breeder, every sanctuary/rescue, every zoo, every educator and every person who keeps these animals as pets. The sheer volume of the animals at stake absolutely makes my head spin.

So I'm begging you guys, Please, please PLEASE write your congressman in opposition of this. I'm making petetions for both this and H.R. 669 and we'll need 10,000 signatures to get this thrown out of Congress. Please contact me if you want the paperwork and I'll email it to you. I'll have a video up on the subjects at the end of the week and the petetions finished before then. Please, we have got to put an end to this, before it's too late to save our snakes!

--Jenn 'Dragon' Bellew.

[Donnie_K]

start here, I'll have a copy of that paperwork, dkaz2005@yahoo.com

Guys, if this is true, we must do something about it... I for one am not willing to give up my animals.

[snakelady456]

  if thats true send it to me dragon_lover_692003@yahoo.com. I dont know what I would do if they came and tried to take my babies and im not willing to let them go so there will be a fight!

[Sylvias]

i see that bill nelson is the one introducing it... i will be writing to him myself

[Sylvias]

my letter as of yet

Dear Mr. Nelson,
Word has been circulating through the reptile world that you have proposed a bill that would lable all species of python as an injurious species, making them near impossible to keep and import them. I understand there has been some problems with a few select species escaping (or in some ignorant cases, being released) into the wild and  thriving in the everglades but this is no reason to take away the livlihoods of countless individuals around the U.S.A.
 A permiting process has already been placed on 4 specific python species and one species of monitor that weeds out many of the fair weather keepers who's hearts are in the bragging and not so much the hobby. This should be enough. 
 As a herp hobbyist myself I speak as someone who is constantly dealing with the stress of bad press against my hobby and my greatest love in life. As such I cannot help but speak out when something like this comes to my attention. There are many reasons why such a devistating bill should not be passed sir.
 First of all, There are countless individuals who make their living on breeding pythons of all sorts, from the largest reticulated pythons to the humble and ever pleasing ball pythons, hundreds of people live entirely on the funds earned from breeding and selling these magnificent creatures to other snake lovers around the country and sometimes the world. The python market in fact may even be the largest market in the reptile world. If this bill went through it would ruins so many lives and families.
 Outside the world of buisness though, these snakes are such important parts of so many peoples lives. Often a young enthusiasts first snake is a ball python. These wondeful little guys are very often used in educational displays to  expand public awareness and acceptance of snakes. As pets and companions, pythons are some of the best choices. Reticulated pythons for instance are widley recognised as some of the smartest snakes. They are known to recognize their keepers and remember those that are good to them. However because their characteristics are distinctly different from humans (something mammalian pets have the advantage of) people are quick to lable them as mindless killers who would kill you in an instant if they so felt the need. This is simply not true. When we read the horror stories of a python "attacking" it's owner it is usually due to a mistake the owner made, not the snake deciding to be cruel. With the larger species one of the biggest rules is to never handle them alone, though this same rule should be employed for any large creature regardless of species.
 The truth with pythons is that they are magnificent creatures. Introducing such a bill will only hurt everyone involved. Permitting rules are useful and effective, why could we not limit the restrictions to that?
 I implore you, Mr. Nelson, to reconsider the bill in question and if you would take the time, step into our world and visit one of the many websites geared toward snake owners. My personal favorite, that I call home, is www.darksidereptiles.com If you would only spend a few hours there with people who live and work with these glorious animals everyday I think you might find a reason to repeal the bill.
Thank you for your time.


anything i should add, take out or change???

[juddb]

Jenn, send me a copy as well.  juddb22@yahoo.com  Thanks for the heads up!

[edf]

Send a copy to me as well at edfstudio@yahoo.com

However, where are you reading that the gov't is going to take the snakes out of houses and kill them? I read that this would happen to the ones being imported in, I havent read anything that says owners have to surrender their snakes they already have. Now, I could be reading wrong, or perhaps that part was not submitted here? But How I took the HR669, is it will not allow in]mportation into the US, or out, or accross state lines AND not allow breeding of the said animals.    HR373 states the speil with all pythons being added to the list, but I still dont recall coming across the ones already owned will be needed to be surrendered.

I do agree that letters should be written to the people it needs to be sent too.

If you havent checked out USARK, I would, they have a buynch of helpful info and such.
http://www.usark.org

JAnet

[edf]

Sylvias,

A permiting process has already been placed on 4 specific python species

Can you provide me with more information of this permit? I am writing my draft, and I was not aware of the permit speil. I feel I can write a stronger letter if I know more about this to include something like this in my letter.
thankyou in advance

Janet

[Dragon_sanctuary]

Thanks you guys! I'll have petetions for both S.373 and H.R.669 finished by Saturday morning and will email them to you. My fiance's helping me with it; seems our lawyer bailed on us. u.u

[Southern_Boa_Gurl]

Yeah that would be great.  I'm not much of a writer so if someone would like to write something generic and then I can add stuff.  Of course then I'll have to find out who in my state to send it too.  I don't know if there is anyone else on here from NC either lol.