Other Turtle Discussion :: Reptile law in FL

[DavidY]

That's the thing. Existing owners should just blow it off. There's no way they can enforce it. New owners should be able to bypass it by buying online. People who buy online are less likely to make spontaneous purchases and will have the time and resource to do research before hand. As opposed to the kid begging his mommy for that cute turtle at the pet store.

I mean, c'mon we're talking turtles here for crying out loud, not machine guns or pitbulls or anything like that.

[DavidY]

Turtle Addict, I'd hate to see you lose any of your turtles. I hope that stupid bill gets shot down fast.

[Hoooneylynn]

jenaro, I agree with what you are saying about not having $100, then you shouldnt own an RES... but that $100 could go towards other things needed to care for your RES ... where would that $100 be going anyways?? And Im sure it would stop people selling RES illegally at flea markets, a big plus... and I understand that RESs would have to be micro chipped... but what about non willing people who already own the RES... theres no way they can account for RES that have already been aquired... I can see that when you go to the store to purchase an RES, they could already be tagged... but I dont think people will be willing to just hand over the money, and they think they wont get caught.

[jenaero]

I don't think people buying online would put any more thought into it than anyone buying from a store. Most of the sites online that sell turtles sell a 'turtle kit' along with it, complete with death bowl.

I don't really understand what reason any 'non-willing' owners would have for not abiding by a law that states that their pets need licences/microchips. To me, it sounds like it's more for the animal's sake than anything. It'd be nice to see that money going towards rescue centres but I doubt that would be the case.

[Hoooneylynn]

Im just thinking that people who already own RES will have the attitude... "oh they will never find out that I already own them, so why should I pay?"

The rescue center is an awesome idea, but I doubt they would contribue the money to it either...

[jenaero]

Im just thinking that people who already own RES will have the attitude... "oh they will never find out that I already own them, so why should I pay?"

I know people who base their whole lives on that idea *sigh*

[Hoooneylynn]

Some people just need to justify their actions and convince themselves.

[DavidY]

Here in NH we have a great motto..."Live Free or Die!" Government managed reptile pet ownership, if it were managed properly and by people who know and understand reptiles, would probably be a good thing. But check out the stories in some of the states that already have numerous laws and restrictions on reptile ownership. There's more than a few where state troopers did something stupid like confiscating some kid's Rosy Boa (max out at 3ft) because it was a member of the outlawed Boid family.

If they could run it as well as most Fish & Game departments manage outdoor resources like fishing and hunting, that would be a different story. All fees collected go back into caring for the state's fish & game resources and environment. The laws truly benefit both the wildlife and the outdoorsman. That's because they are run by outdoorsman, people who understand what they are managing.

There's just too many things that will get screwed up if that kind of legislature goes through. People like Turtle Addict will get royally screwed since he will only be able to keep 2 of any species on the restricted list.

[Turtle addict]

I will be able to keep whatever I want, I have permits for endangered coming this week! LOL Florida Gophers, whatever! I will have the state in my house and have to pay permit fees though because of it.


There are good points and bad points, having the animals checked on will keep alot of them in better conditions, and alive....and away from my house when they can't care for them any longer. The money will go to fund having people come and check the animals at the houses. And to the state. I just think for people like me who take in those unwanted ones will have a harder time with making the permit payments. Along with I am sick of the government telling us in the land of the free what we can and can't keep.

As a side note...anyone see in the new reptiles magazine where one lady lost her house insurance from having a snake? We are being discriminated against because we love a reptile! What's next?

[DavidY]

It seems the government would have better things to do with their time and money, but whatever.

[grey goose]

here's a link to the USGS that shows how invasive RES can be. It's a bit of a read, but it breaks it down to states also.....
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactShee ... iesID=1261

[SpotsMama]

Around here the exotic animal license requirements are mostly ignored until a neighbor has a beef with another neighbor and turns him in.

[pumpkinsherbet]

actually, that licensing is extended out to hostile dogs. at least in houston. if you own any kind of dog that has the potential to be a danger to the people around it, you not only have to have a license for it, but they come and check what kind of kennel you're keeping it in. if the fence is too low or not sturdy enough you're looking at a fine, even jail time. i can totally understand those regulations, it is tantamount to owning and/or carrying a highly lethal weapon.

i'm not against any regulations which fines for releasing them in the wild. it's not very humane to any species involved, the captive species or the ones they potentially run out. basic concern for the ecosystem and i'm all for it. i definitely agree that there should be more education on the care of reptiles not only readily available, but to some degree necessary so that you not only have to worry about neglect, you also don't have to worry about spreading diseases or some idiot releasing their captive herp. i wouldn't make it so blasted expensive, though (except for the venomous ones). limitations won't work, unless they have some kind of separate licensing for breeders. perhaps that could keep the overpopulation problem down, and do away with the farmers who breed the mutants and leave hundreds of perfectly healthy turtles to die.

how verbose am i =Þ

As a side note...anyone see in the new reptiles magazine where one lady lost her house insurance from having a snake? We are being discriminated against because we love a reptile! What's next?

that's asinine. was she part of a homeowner's association? they enforce the dumbest rules.

If they could run it as well as most Fish & Game departments manage outdoor resources like fishing and hunting, that would be a different story. All fees collected go back into caring for the state's fish & game resources and environment. The laws truly benefit both the wildlife and the outdoorsman. That's because they are run by outdoorsman, people who understand what they are managing.

this is along the lines of my thought...

[marisa]

On paper at least, New Jersey already has a law about paying a yearly fee for a turtle license. However, it is significantly cheaper than $100 and doesn't appear to be well enforced.

I have mixed feelings about it, although I do think $100 a year is too steep. I'd be curious to know how the authorities would plan to enforce it.

[Tertule]

Without these types of laws in place...I think I will move to southern florida once this whole global warming thing ramps up, get me a couple of polar bears (since the climate in the artic will be the same as the climate in miami) and let them loose in the everglades.