Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron_S
I don't really believe in those systems. It's very difficult to properly implement and regulate. It's very easy to keep snakes "underground" for lack of a better term.
My biggest issue with this all, and it may stem from being a parent, is that you may choose to put yourself in this dangerous position but no one else around you did. Your kids didn't, your neighbours didn't. It's more so an issue with venomous snakes as if EVER one gets out and kills someone it means that our hobby is more valuable than a human life? We put our enjoyment ahead of someone's innocent life? All for what? A 'cool" snake, the "rush" of dealing with death on a regular basis?
That little girl who died by a burm sure didn't choose to be in that situation.
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regards to keeping them "underground": although I understand what you're getting at, people will ALWAYS find a way to get what they want. Be it large or venomous snakes or illegal drugs. A ban is not the right way to go about these types of things. Legalization and regulation of them is (drugs with regards to pot and other "harmless" [define it as you will, I'm not going to argue it, just using it as an example] recreational drugs). Many responsible keepers will comply with the rules, the government will make a little money, employ another person of two, and will allow those of us that wish, to keep the snakes that fascinate us.
The city of Des Moines, IA requires people keeping snakes over 6ft in length within the city limits to take a class before they can legally keep them, just an example. (Although IA has banned retics, but not burms or A.Rocks for whaterver reason...)
If they require a license, why can't they hire a person or two to do yearly, or every other year compliance checks. If you've ever looked at the price of enclosures for large snakes, they're not cheap, nobody is gonna put the large snakes in enclosures once a year just to pass a check, they'll keep them in there permanently since its such a large investment.
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