By-Laws

Cruciform · 02-24-04, 06:22 PM

I just found the by-laws for my city online, and they restrict the ownership of snakes to under 60 centimeters.

My female garter is already that long.

What is the most effective way to challenge the local by-laws?

Lrptls · 02-24-04, 06:27 PM

dont get caught =)

Cruciform · 02-24-04, 06:32 PM

Meanwhile the fines increase and the bans become more strict. I don't think so. I'm going to challenge it.

marisa · 02-24-04, 06:33 PM

The problem with that IMHO is that unless you have your support all planned out, and plenty of it, and a really strong "case" then you can just create more tension in an already tension filled aspect of the hobby of keeping reptiles. I may be way off here. Then again the only way to get things to work out for us would be to speak up.

For myself, don't ask dont tell. No one knows or needs to know what I keep.

Marisa

Linds · 02-24-04, 06:52 PM

Pretty well the only ways around local bylaws are to be a registered business or zoo, or for education...

claycoke11 · 02-24-04, 06:54 PM

They won't do anything even if you are caught, they have better things to do and as long as they see you are taking the proper care of your animal they won't take him away only to be put in a worse home, or put down. The law probably only was made to stop people from owning those 10ft+ animals, and wasn't even ment for the little guys so don't even wrry about it.

mykee · 02-24-04, 07:25 PM

I'm with Marisa, don't be brave, unless you're willing to lose your collection. No one needs to know what you keep. I live in an apartment, and if my neighbours, landlord, or building management knew what I kept, I would be in it deep.

sleddergirl · 02-24-04, 07:34 PM

In my city, its illegal to keep any reptiles of any kind. I got a copy of the by-laws concerning animals from City Hall to make sure I always had my butt covered concerning my dog but as I read through all of them, it clearly states that its illegal to own any reptile or anything considered "exotic" which they go on to list.

My neighbour's son had a turtle and when the Animal Control came to her house to take a statement from her concerning another neighbours animals, they saw the turtle and removed it from the home. Maybe it depends on who the animal control officer is............I just keep my mouth shut about most of my pets.

marisa · 02-24-04, 07:37 PM

The "don't ask don't keep" for me also covers keeping reptiles in plain view. IMHO this is just really foolish unless you live in an area where reptiles are legal 100%

I keep EVERYTHING I have upstairs behind closed doors.

Marisa

WRX · 02-24-04, 07:59 PM

Quote:

I just found the by-laws for my city online, and they restrict the ownership of snakes to under 60 centimeters.

Wow, thats a bit harsh. I know GTA has some lame law, but unless you cause a stir, I think you're safe. I used to like in Winnipeg, and they passed a by-law for 6ft and over. The person who came up with the list of snakes was a hooved animal guy from the Zoo. I called him and asked him about the smaller BCX species, and he had no idea they existed.!

Bill T

Lisa · 02-24-04, 08:21 PM

Hiding is not the answer, educating and being vocal is.

WRX · 02-24-04, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Hiding is not the answer, educating and being vocal is.

I am not suggesting hiding, but, if your city has a by-law, don't go to the park with your Burmese Python and flaunt it. Its hard to educate people / "experts" who do not want to hear it.
But I agree, it would be nice if local authorities were more open to the whole herp hobby.

BT

marisa · 02-24-04, 08:29 PM

Yeah and if I am the only "vocal" person in my area, then what happens to me when no one backs me up? I sacrifice MY collection? No thanks. Unless there is a large group effort, financial and legal support then there is no way I would be letting my city know what I keep.

Marisa

mykee · 02-24-04, 08:29 PM

Laws or not, I think that a neighbour finding out you have unlawful reptiles can be a bigger pain in the *** then the city knowing. Best to keep them under wraps.

Dani33 · 02-24-04, 08:33 PM

Where I live it's illeagal to keep reptiles of any kind. When I got my first few, I didn't even think to check so I called after learning a bit more. Everything is illegal. There is a loop hole though. They can be sold in pet stores here. When I spoke to a woman there, she stated the above and pretty much said that it wasn't a big deal but they have the right to take them if there were complaints. Lesson, don't brag and don't let a 15 foot burm hang out in your front yard.