Garter Snakes, Cornsnakes, Pet Mice, and More Banned in Texas!

[tikichick]

"In a fit of irrational over-protection, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has banned the commercialization of huge number of animals, some not even found in Texas, including such ubiquitous pets as the the common garter snake, the cornsnake, even the lowly pet mouse.

These animals, blacklisted without reason, are just a few of the animals Texas has seen fit to ban without input or discussion from the public. We made numerous attempts to contact officials at Texas Parks and Wildlife to ask them for clarification of these new regulations, slated to go into effect on November 8, 2007"

Full article with species list (salamanders, toads, frogs, snakes, turtles, lizards, mammals) and contact info. Please spread the word, contact your local TX Parks & Wildlife Commissioner, and if you're in Austin, come to the meeting on Nov. 8th. This is our one chance to fix this before they ban these critters as pets in Texas! :?

 

[REAL]

Seems like the end of the world as we know it

They're always doing stuff like that. Like, why the hell would they sell ferret food in petstores here...when they're banned and illegal to keep? WTF?

Dunno what to say lol.

ROCK ON MAN YEAH!!!

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[mr.wilderness]

We need more people on the inside to make sure that stupid legislation like this stops happening. A sith lord or two would be nice

 

[David_F]

I didn't see anything explaining the reason for the bans but, just by looking at the list of snakes banned, I'm thinking they're worried about non-native animals being released. Most of those snakes could easily thrive in the various habitats of Texas. So, yeah, it sucks but look at Florida and the number of exotics found there thanks to exotic pet escapes and releases.

 

[Galapoheros]

There are so many bans there that don't make any sense to me. "commercialization", does this mean illegal to sell? Or does it mean what's in the list would be illegal to sell and/or own? So many in the list are extremely common in Texas, ....almost like banning minnows. I don't get it. What's going on? Sometimes I wonder if it's Harvey Hilderbran or if he's being a fall guy for some other group of people. How can one guy screw a thing up in such a big way? This is nuts.

 

[Mack&Cass]

Commercialization is selling not owning, any already owned animals won't be made illegal by this. Still, sucks for you guys down south. Its alwaays a bummer to hear about another poorly concieved legislation that negatively affects the hobby. Glad I live where tropical exotics will die if released (although we arent safe up here either)

 

[tikichick]

It is nuts, and so many entries on that list don't make sense. I'll be calling my commissioner tomorrow. I want to know the reasoning, why the public was not given a chance to voice an opinion, and will they change this list to include only threatened/endangered species.

Not only would this have a big effect on the pet side, it's going to effect feeders. And when pet owners find out they have a critter that's been banned, what are they supposed to do with them? There's going to be a huge number of animals released that wouldn't be otherwise, I'd bet.

I'll let yall know any info I get. If you can get any from your local TP&W commissioners, please let me know what you find out, too. Thanks!!

 

[RoachGirlRen]

Crap, I'll call from my cell and lie about what township I'm in to complain about this one. This is fricken ridiculous. There are a lot of animals I don't agree with in the pet trade, but I'm all about public education and (realistic) licensure requirements. Outright banning so many innocuous species is absolute lunacy.

 

[RoachGirlRen]

Can someone please verify this? After reading through the bill, the only restrictions I'm seeing regard non-indigenous snakes, and it's a demand for permits, not a ban.

 

[mindlessvw]

Well if any of ya'll saw how laws are passed in austin then you realize how something this idiotic can happen!!!!

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This is a video showing Austin officials voting on laws...some of these laws now heavily effect how we are allowed to keep animals...quite interesting to see the "process" at work...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-uorcf6Uzs

 

[tikichick]

This regulation is to ban the sale or purchase of all animals listed on the black list, whether captive bred or wild caught.

I'm trying to get an answer on how it affects animals already in a collection.

 

[sweetmisery]

Wow. Too many. LOL! That is nuts. And I love Texas, was there in San Antonio last decade.