Aw, man....

[Jazzmyne]

I just recently found out that boa constrictors are illegal in my city....
So i gotta get rid of Amelia Mae.... hopefully, my mum has found someone who can just HOLD ON to her till me and my fiance move to a city where they are legal, which is pretty much 25 mins away from where we live now. So me and him are hoping to move maybe later this year or early next year.
I'm just sad i gotta get rid of my baby. If the cops find out, we'll get a 750 fine and 5 year no animal ban or whatever. THAT sucks.....

So we'll just wait and see.... I'll keep you guys posted on what happens..

[youngster]

Are you positive it's all boas and not just boa constrictors? Boa constrictors (BCC, BCI, BCO etc) are a species in their own.

Just because Amelia is a boa and constricts. Doesn't mean she's a boa constrictor.

[Bradyloach]

hmm i dont like saying to break a law... but how would they find out? keep her inside. no cop is going to know thats a boa constrictor

[alessia55]

hmm i dont like saying to break a law... but how would they find out? keep her inside. no cop is going to know thats a boa constrictor

Unfortunately, it's people who think like this and break the law that put out a bad rep for the reptile community. We should all abide by the rules, regulations, and restrictions set for us so that we can set a responsible representation of reptile keepers. ;)


Jazzymyne, check whether the law says "boa constrictors" or all boas. You might be able to keep Amelia Mae! If you tell us what city you're in, we can look into the law to help you out.

[USMCgunner11]

Two things... look into what Youngster mentioned and find out if it's ALL boas or only certain ones. Second, I'm sure the police have bigger problems to deal with. Unless if there are other reasons why the police would be checking out your property (not implying anything, it could be as minor as loud weekend parties) you might be alright.

[Bradyloach]

haha i break the law lots :D no drugs tho... but other stuff like driving over curbs and stuff

[KORBIN5895]

Good thing your brb isn't a boa constrictor!;)

[alessia55]

Jazzymyne, I looked it up. They are in fact illegal in your city. The law prohibits "constricting snakes," which includes BRBs. Sorry! :hmm: There are lots of cities in WI that don't have that restriction though, so you shouldn't have trouble finding a city that lets you keep Amalie Mae.

[millertime89]

Just move outside the city limits!

[Trollbie]

I dont exactly support breaking the law for reasons that Alessia stated, but at the same time you already have her. Just don't tell everyone about her and don't get in trouble...?

How did you find out boas are illegal there?

[alessia55]

I dont exactly support breaking the law for reasons that Alessia stated, but at the same time you already have her. Just don't tell everyone about her and don't get in trouble...?

How did you find out boas are illegal there?

I mean, ideally, she won't get into trouble. But suppose an emergency happens and cops do come to the house... She'd be forbidden from keeping any animals for 5 years, and pay a fine! It's not worth the risk. She's planning on moving anyway, so I think it's best to abide by the law and wait it out.

[Kratos]

I dont exactly support breaking the law for reasons that Alessia stated, but at the same time you already have her. Just don't tell everyone about her and don't get in trouble...?

How did you find out boas are illegal there?


I agree no one will know unless you take her out of the house. I had a burmise pythone when they passed the law that you need to have a license for them in florida. I never took her out in public but let here slither around the screened in back yard and swiming pool. I never had an issue with the law. saddly I gave here to Gator land in orlando when she got 7 FT long. I was young and wanted a snake, so I got her not knowing the size it will grow to as it got older :(

[Trollbie]

I mean, ideally, she won't get into trouble. But suppose an emergency happens and cops do come to the house... She'd be forbidden from keeping any animals for 5 years, and pay a fine! It's not worth the risk. She's planning on moving anyway, so I think it's best to abide by the law and wait it out.

Both my snakes would be worth the risk. And she's considering moving anyway so the 5 year animal ban would only count in her current city, no?

If she says she's moving within a year, that's a fairly short amount of time in my opinion. It would be worth the risk in my opinion. I'd only do this for the animal's sake, not because I want to rebel. If it was an object, I'd be abiding by the law. But to me my pets are my children lol

[millertime89]

I don't know what I would do honestly. I'm currently living in an appartment so its not exactly hard for me to up and move but if I owned my own house it would be a different story. Its a classic example of head vs. Heart.

[Snakefood]

Maybe someone on this forum could "babysit" her boa until she moves out of that city??

[Trollbie]

Maybe someone on this forum could "babysit" her boa until she moves out of that city??

I would! But she's too far away :(

[millertime89]

As would I. Try PMing Roy (Strutter769) he may be willing to do it and he's about an hour away (Elgin, IL)

[Snakefood]

I love the way this forum just works out!!

[millertime89]

I love the way this forum just works out!!

we are a pretty awesome little family here aren't we?

[Snakefood]

YUP!!

OP, search for members close to where you are now or close to where you want to move to and see if someone would mind having a 'guest" for a bit, I bet you'll find your solution there!!

[Trollbie]

Now where's all the central Cali people... :(

[Snakefood]

at 10 in the morning.........at work!!

[SnakeyJay]

Keeping her and breaking the law is a bad idea, but more so for the snake! If she got sick you wouldn't be able to take her to the vet... Goodluck and I hope u find someone you trust to babysit her :D

[millertime89]

^probably, where I was until an hour ago, blech.
I sent Roy a link to this thread, well see if he pops in here or not.
edit: first part directed at Snakefood.

[KORBIN5895]

Now where's all the central Cali people... :(

Does southern Cali work?

[Strutter769]

I wouldn't mind being a surrogate for a while. My only concern is space.. How big an enclosure is he in now?

[Snakefood]

PM Jazzzmyn, she seems offline right now!!

[millertime89]

I wouldn't mind being a surrogate for a while. M y only concern is space.. How big an enclosure is he in now?

2 year old BRB, looks in the 3-4 foot range.

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/photography-discussion/91739-more-amelia-mae-3-i-love-girl.html

[Trollbie]

Does southern Cali work?

I guess so. I'm there often enough that I might as well call it my second home.

[Strutter769]

PM Jazzzmyn, she seems offline right now!!

Done. Amelia Mae is a looker! I'd better keep her from Casanova. He may be a little young, but he knows a good lookin' lady when he sees one!:laugh:

[Snakefood]

Lol!!!!!!!

[alessia55]

You're awesome Roy :D

[Strutter769]

You're awesome Roy :D

And you're a very bright, observant woman, Ales:laugh:sia.

[Kingsnakechris]

Very cool of you to offer up the help Roy! Kudos to you bro!

[Kingsnakechris]

Jazzymyne, I looked it up. They are in fact illegal in your city. The law prohibits "constricting snakes," which includes BRBs. Sorry! :hmm: There are lots of cities in WI that don't have that restriction though, so you shouldn't have trouble finding a city that lets you keep Amalie Mae.


Prohibits all constricting snakes??! That's terrible! Even colubrids fall into this category...

[Strutter769]

Thanks. BTW, it's not exactly legal in Elgin, but when you've got 15, why not have 16 violations? :-D

[Strutter769]

Very cool of you to offer up the help Roy! Kudos to you bro!

Just giving back to the community really. I was in a situation when I remodeled the main floor of my house. I put up a very similar post and found a guy 15 minutes away to watch her. We're friends to this day!

[Trollbie]

Thanks. BTW, it's not exactly legal in Elgin, but when you've got 15, why not have 16 violations? :-D

Just out of curiosity, how crazy are they about these laws? Like if they actually did find out you have one because of circumstances other than people complaining and such, but it's obvious that you're taking care of it responsibly (locked/escape proof cage)?

[Strutter769]

Well in my city, apparently not every law enforcement is aware of the statute. We used to take Lucy out in the front yard and one tome an officer of the law,drove by, stopped, backed us and said "That's cool! Can I get a picture? My son is gonna love this!!"

It was after that we found out it's against the ordinance. I posted it here once and everyone was amazed at how vaguely it's written. Although I heard they are reviewing the ban on chickens, so maybe snakes will come up.

[Trollbie]

Well in my city, apparently not every law enforcement is aware of the statute. We used to take Lucy out in the front yard and one tome an officer of the law,drove by, stopped, backed us and said "That's cool! Can I get a picture? My son is gonna love this!!"

It was after that we found out it's against the ordinance. I posted it here once and everyone was amazed at how vaguely it's written. Although I heard they are reviewing the ban on chickens, so maybe snakes will come up.

That sucks. I can understand a ban on venomous, endangered, and like retics and burms. And maybe species that could be considered danger to the local ecosystem. But I feel like escaped exotic snakes don't have that great of chance of survival anyway?

I don't get the CA hedgehog ban...

[jaleely]

One thing my husband did before we got out first snake, was to look all this up before we got her. Also, since the situation in Florida, we lucked out and don't have anything currently banned...because we want to move there. There's a burmese at the pound i would love to take home, but we want to move to Florida some day soon.
I have to say though, if i already had a snake that was banned or became banned in my town...they'd be hard-pressed to try to take it away from me. These are my *babies*. I don't know, on the one hand I respect the law, but on the other hand...it would just be like someone was telling me to give up my kids.

Actually with the Florida thing, aren't they allowed if you already own them, but you just have to get a license?
As to other city ordinances, i'd probably have to go out and start a petition.

[Kingsnakechris]

One thing my husband did before we got out first snake, was to look all this up before we got her. Also, since the situation in Florida, we lucked out and don't have anything currently banned...because we want to move there. There's a burmese at the pound i would love to take home, but we want to move to Florida some day soon.
I have to say though, if i already had a snake that was banned or became banned in my town...they'd be hard-pressed to try to take it away from me. These are my *babies*. I don't know, on the one hand I respect the law, but on the other hand...it would just be like someone was telling me to give up my kids.

Actually with the Florida thing, aren't they allowed if you already own them, but you just have to get a license?
As to other city ordinances, i'd probably have to go out and start a petition.
I don't remember what species it is but I thought there was a problem with one of the big species flourishing there? I may be wrong tho.

[Trollbie]

One thing my husband did before we got out first snake, was to look all this up before we got her. Also, since the situation in Florida, we lucked out and don't have anything currently banned...because we want to move there. There's a burmese at the pound i would love to take home, but we want to move to Florida some day soon.
I have to say though, if i already had a snake that was banned or became banned in my town...they'd be hard-pressed to try to take it away from me. These are my *babies*. I don't know, on the one hand I respect the law, but on the other hand...it would just be like someone was telling me to give up my kids.

Actually with the Florida thing, aren't they allowed if you already own them, but you just have to get a license?
As to other city ordinances, i'd probably have to go out and start a petition.

Exactly my thoughts. If they can't prove that I'm an irresponsible owner, they don't have a right to take my babies... (Even if the law gives them that right lol)

[Strutter769]

So I decided to call City Hall for clarification of the pet laws. 46 minutes on hold... and counting.

[millertime89]

That sucks. I can understand a ban on venomous, endangered, and like retics and burms. And maybe species that could be considered danger to the local ecosystem. But I feel like escaped exotic snakes don't have that great of chance of survival anyway?

I don't get the CA hedgehog ban...

I get it, they have the potential to become a problematic invasive species, see below.

Actually with the Florida thing, aren't they allowed if you already own them, but you just have to get a license?
As to other city ordinances, i'd probably have to go out and start a petition.

License and microchip if I'm not mistaken. However you cannot transport Burms across state lines because of their listing on the Lacey Act.

I don't remember what species it is but I thought there was a problem with one of the big species flourishing there? I may be wrong tho.

Python (molurus) bivittatus, the burmese python. It really sucks for those of us that have/love the species as they're fantastic to work with (just not mine).

[Kingsnakechris]

Thank you. I thought that's what it was but wasn't sure.

[millertime89]

no problem, you might say I'm invested in this fight.

[Kingsnakechris]

I'm interested in it. I've seen a handfull of shows about it, just had a bit of a brain fart on the species.

[millertime89]

No worries, there's a big thread about it on here. Its stickied in the general discussion sections somewhere.

[exwizard]

Just out of curiosity, how crazy are they about these laws? Like if they actually did find out you have one because of circumstances other than people complaining and such, but it's obvious that you're taking care of it responsibly (locked/escape proof cage)?

Its not so bad in California, its worse in other states. When I was in Lodi, I went to the Serpentarium there and I saw an Anaconda for sale but I knew there would and could be no way for me to take this home.

[Strutter769]

So, has anyone seen Jazzmyne?