Missouri attempting to restrict birds/reptiles

[ChondroGirl]

Missouri legislators are trying to pass a bill banning ownership of all reptiles and birds. This bill is attempting to limit pets to domestic dogs and cats or farm animals, and specifically prohibits owning, transporting, and breeding birds and reptiles. Please see the following sites for more information, and for information on how to contact your senator or representative to defeat this bill.

Here is the website for info about this house bill:
http://www.pijac.org/files/public/MO_HB_1847.pdf

Here is the website of the Missouri House Bill 1847:
http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills081/biltxt/intro/HB1847I.htm

This bill was read a second time on 01/28/08, but has not been scheduled yet for a hearing.

 

[Tleilaxu]

Wow this seems to be the year of restrictions.

 

[Mushroom Spore]

Okay, now this is one I can safely say I don't support or see any good reason for. :wall:

 

[Brian S]

OMG!!! I see Missouri is trying to turn communist these days

When is this crap ever gonna end?!?

 

[Mushroom Spore]

OMG!!! I see Missouri is trying to turn communist these days

What exactly do reptiles and birds have to do with the establishment of a classless, stateless society based on common ownership of the means of production? ;P

 

[ChondroGirl]

I think Brian S was referring to a "Big brother is watching" and "losing more of our freedoms" type of approach from our government.

 

[cheetah13mo]

Oh well. What can you do?

 

[edesign]

I'd like to see a ban on jackass' and elephants...doubt that'll ever happen though At least not with the way Americans treat the political system right now...it wouldn't be hard (it WOULD be in all practicality, but you know what I mean) to send a message by not voting in any ass' or elephants on any government level for the next 4 years or so (give everyone time for their election to come up at all levels, city to federal) and instead voting in independants or green party just for fun.

Once booted out of power things would get interesting really quick I think Then again...they'd probably band together and make up some hanging-chadgate part two or something and force themselves back in. The electoral college would also probably ensure that the popular vote of independants/greens/whatever would not be elected anyway...since that institution is the only vote that really matters anyway. And so many people think their vote counts...

 

[arrowhd]

They'll have to pry my animals from my cold dead hands.

 

[Brian S]

What exactly do reptiles and birds have to do with the establishment of a classless, stateless society based on common ownership of the means of production? ;P

It means that the govt. that you so blindly follow and trust is eroding our freedoms and rights away at an alarming rate! Cant you see that?
Hell. its getting to where we cant do anything these days!

 

[Brian S]

Oh well. What can you do?

Fellow Missourian if we dont fight and stand up for what we believe in the govt will take all our freedoms away! I guess they dont want us to have hobbies outside the so called "norm"

 

[Galadriel]

It's election year. All sorts of crazy stuff ALWAYS hits the fan during election years. People are paying more attention to what's going on in the world of politics so more is being tossed at us than usual. The bills that are presented during election years rarely pass. Banning reptiles in SC and Washington State was the hot topic among herpers last election. Neither bill passed.

 

[edesign]

It means that the govt. that you so blindly follow and trust is eroding our freedoms and rights away at an alarming rate! Cant you see that?

I think that's a glaring "NO" Brian...some people can not make the connection between this and other more serious bans and restrictions that do not deal with our hobbies. But I can make one that is pretty obvious since not only a hobby but one that eeeeeeverybody knows about (some more than others, but I don't think anyone is a stranger to)...guns.

MS...think about the gun control issue...it's a hobby for many people to collect and shoot guns (be it for target practice *including shooting criminals* or hunting). Think about how many gun control laws have been passed and are trying to be passed every year...we've basically just left a period of fairly high restriction thanks to President Bush refusing to extend the ban on assault weapons (amongst other firearms...and this is prob the only time you'll see me say thanks and Bush in the same sentence in a nice way). however, that ban did not just pop up one day on the desks of legislators and was passed...smaller restrictions at the state level were pushed for by lobbiests and passed which led to the feds getting on the bandwagon. The same COULD happen for our hobbies...operative word is "could", not "will". It's really really not that hard to grasp

 

[Brian S]

Good point Edesign! I wish more people would wake up and smell the coffee!

 

[Mushroom Spore]

MS...think about the gun control issue..

I think you're confused. :? The third post in this very thread is me saying I DON'T see any logic to this ban. My only other post was razzing someone over semantics.

But please, let's have Brian call me a sheeple again because I don't mindlessly follow his way of thinking, that's always a good one.

 

[Tleilaxu]

Is there anything I can do to help protest this? I am sure some out of state protest letter may nab their attention.

 

[jenniferinny]

I sent a letter to a couple of the reps listed and alerted Kingsnake about it so they can pass it around further.
Alerting any pet friendly people or groups you know and writing to the people listed may help.. Who knows..
For what it's worth though, I doubt this is something the government cares about. The only reason it's being considered is because animal rights groups have tons of available cash to pay to get their legislation through.
HSUS is highly opposed to keeping reptiles as pets.
This is a good read through about HSUS
http://www.activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm
as is this article by Kathy Love..
http://www.cornutopia.com/Corn Utop...G ENEMY Cornutopia corn snakes cornsnakes.htm
HSUS has been trying to ban all reptiles since the 90's. They have plenty of money since they don't operate any humane societies or help any real animals.
http://www.wnyherp.org/resources/legal-issues/HSUSBan.php

Anyhow, I contacted a few news stations to in hopes they'll do some kind of story on the positive side of reptiles as pets.

 

[DrJ]

Perhaps we should all write letters to our representatives...even if out of state. Every little bit would help, I think.

There is even a place where you can sign a petition to this, but I'm not sure how effective that is? I think the best thing to do is contact our reps and let them know how we feel and also try to educate the ones that are interested in knowing more about these animals. If it is possible to educate them, that would relieve their fears over them and get them over their stereotypes formed from urban legends and myths.

I love the article by Kathy Love...I've used it in research papers for college before over similiar issues regarding the banning of exotic pets.