Tarantulas a health code violation in Manhattan

[The Red Queen]

A co-worker showed me this today. OK, I understand that keeping exotic animals as pets in Manhattan is illegal, no problem... the thing that really caught my attention is the line that reads "tarantulas are considered a health code violation." WTF???? I would think the monkeys would be a bigger problem as far as the health code is concerned!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040310.wmonk0310/BNStory/Front


Amanda

 

[Code Monkey]

I wonder if they're extrapolating health code's based upon the presence of insects/arachnids in general. Since it is a rental place the odds are that the health codes are written that they are to remain free of such "vermin". I've never heard of someone trying to argue that pets or intentionally cultured animals fell under unwanted pest codes but nothing surprises me when it comes to application of the law.

 

[AWS]

Here's a link to the ordinance in question. It's a pretty entertaining read.

http://www.nycacc.org/Animal_Law/animalcontrollaws.htm

I live in NYC, and there aren't roaming animal control squads out looking to confiscate your T. Pretty much the only way you could have a T taken away is if someone reported you, or if you like to take your T out for long walks on the beach at Coney Island. The only inconvenience is that pet stores don't sell them.

By the way, this is my first time posting. Nice boards.


Andrew

 

[Jeff_C]

Basically, this is the only way that City Hall could impose its desire to ban all exotic pets. Under this health code rule (which bans animal or species which are "wild, ferocious, fierce, dangerous or naturally inclined to do harm") they have effectively banned iguanas, ferrets, tarantulas, elephants and pretty much whatever they feel like attacking at the moment.


Here's more details: http://www.iguanaden.com/issues/nycode.htm

Jeff

 

[xstrat7]

It looks like the way things are going with laws in the
USA, farting will be a violation of the law soon.

Mark j.

 

[Code Monkey]

Originally posted by AWS
Here's a link to the ordinance in question. It's a pretty entertaining read.

http://www.nycacc.org/Animal_Law/animalcontrollaws.htm

The odd thing here then is that the marmosets and other monkeys were also health code violations but the reporter felt the need to only point this out about the tarantula.

 

[XxStormsWebxX]

I live in NYC as well. Animal control does not go on inspecting sprees or anything. As AWS said the only way you get caught is if you are reported. The chances of that happening is very slim, unless you know idiots.

Storm

 

[avmaviator]

...

I think the funniest out of that list is "Sea Mammals, including whales". Wtf?? a whale at your place? lol. "Yeah and this is my pet blue whale, Wallie, he is 100ft long and many many tons" I would pay to see a whale in a tank somewhere in NY (besides aquariums but even those don't usually have whales).
Anyways, i thought it was funny.

Arno

 

[Ultimate Instar]

I'd like to know why they ban ferrets. Ferrets have been domesticated for thousands of years and there is no evidence that they present a threat to humans. Ferrets _will_ go after rats and mice. I believe that New York has a very bad rat problem so banning ferrets is actually quite ridiculous. Sort of reminds me of the Bubonic Plague in the 13th century. People thought that cats and dogs were spreading it so they killed them. The rats were actually responsible and the lack of predators let the rodent population skyrocket.

Karen N.

 

[Code Monkey]

Originally posted by Ultimate Instar
I'd like to know why they ban ferrets. Ferrets have been domesticated for thousands of years and there is no evidence that they present a threat to humans. Ferrets _will_ go after rats and mice. I believe that New York has a very bad rat problem so banning ferrets is actually quite ridiculous. Sort of reminds me of the Bubonic Plague in the 13th century. People thought that cats and dogs were spreading it so they killed them. The rats were actually responsible and the lack of predators let the rodent population skyrocket.

This is in line with the California's Fish & Wildlife department that is so bent on proving the oldest domesticated animal (or as my wife's one vet professor put it, perhaps the *only* truly domesticated animal) is a wild animal that they operate a ferret rehabilitation center.

When it comes to government and law, truth and common sense guarantee absolutely nothing.

 

[Sheri]

Just so everyone knows... that is one of the two national papers that Canada has. The story also made it into the Sun Media chain today as well.

 

[MrFeexit]

Quotes by Code "When it comes to government and law, truth and common sense guarantee absolutely nothing."





That says it all!


Code I am going to start collecting your quotes. You have some great ones.

 

[metzgerzoo]

Originally posted by jcohen9999
..... Under this health code rule (which bans animal or species which are "wild, ferocious, fierce, dangerous or naturally inclined to do harm") they have effectively banned iguanas, ferrets, tarantulas, elephants and pretty much whatever they feel like attacking at the moment.

Jeff

You forgot, dogs, cats, birds.....oh yeah...and humans!!!!;P

 

[xanadu1015]

Is it just me or does stupidity seem to be multiplying in goverments today?

Its like a virus or something....




Laura

 

[Lasiodora]

The ban really does suck. I've been hearing stories of more and more people's animals being conficated. I understand banning exotic mammals and large boids and lizards, but banning all lizards, tarantulas and harmless boids is ridiculous. They have the animals lumped together by genus. This means that 2ft dwarf monitor lizards are illegal. Even 3ft dwarf pyhtons like the spotted python. I've invested a lot of time and money in what I keep. It disgusts me that someone can just come in my house and take it away. I mean I'm not selling crack to kids here. I'm just keeping a couple of very cool pets. The ironic thing is that the new york herpetological society was one of the groups urging the city to pass a law regarding reptiles.
Mike

 

[metzgerzoo]

That's because people spaz over things they know nothing about and are too lazy to learn about them.

 

[The Red Queen]

The government's argument for a ban on tarantulas will say "Well, on Fear Factor they said tarantulas are deadly!"

 

[metzgerzoo]

=D =D =D I can't even comment on that one...that's just too........:? :? :? :?

 

[Walter]

I've visited NYC many times in past 4 years.
I was very surprised non-seeing any T's and scorpions in pet shops.
One I asked why they don't sell these animals but girl just stared at me like at some kind of idiot.

In exchange I noticed the cockroaches almost everywhere and rats in the subway - apparently they are not banned in NYC.

 

[Code Monkey]

Originally posted by Lasiodora
The ironic thing is that the new york herpetological society was one of the groups urging the city to pass a law regarding reptiles.
Mike

Not that ironic as 1) if you're associated with a professional organisation you've got your access to things with or without the ban and 2) these groups are a bit on the elitist side and assume that no common citisen can take care of them properly. When you won't be affected personally and see the gov't ban as good for the animals (it is true that many animals do die due to neglect but, of course, that's true for hamsters the same as snakes) of course you support it.