Large Constrictor Ban!

Over the past couple years federal legislation has been working it's way through the system that would identify several species of Python as "Injurious Wildlife" and them to the Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act. This should be a science and policy driven debate. As it stands now the science is being “cherry picked” to support political expediency. The new list would include species like the Burmese Python but does not include species like the Reticulated Python (Retics). The driving force behind much of this legistlation is the Humane Society of the United States (the national level entity of the Humane Society, not to be confused with your local shelter), and other Animal Rights groups. Their lobbying money has helped support this bill. USARK has tried to fight this as much as possible, but is outgunned when it comes to lobbying dollars.

This bill is targeted at an issue that is largely unique to just Florida, yet will affect snake owners in all 50 states. Once these animals are added to Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act they will become illegal to import but more importantly illegal to transport across state lines. This will affect the trade of animals for breeders and their business. It will also be the first step to a process of the elimination of exotic animal pets that many Animal Rights groups see as their ultimate goal.

Please use the USARK link above and get involved.

http://www.herpnation.com/hn-video/herp-nation-live-usark-response-to-fe...
http://usark.org/statelaws.php
http://forums.pnwhs.org/threads/6550-Python-Ban-update
http://united-states-association-of-reptile-keepers.rallycongress.com/57...