• About BCR
  • News
  • News @ BCR
  • Rescues
  • Issues
  • Cat Laws
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
  • Login
  • Register
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
No Result
View All Result
Home News World

Python Bill comments allowed

Carole by BCR
February 10, 2006
in News World
0 0
0
0
SHARES
11
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

Legislators want tougher law for reptile owners
By MICHAEL PELTIER
February 10, 2006

TALLAHASSEE – Pythons and lizards and anacondas, oh my!
That’s the message Florida wildlife officials and a pair of state lawmakers sent Thursday as they gathered to launch legislation to put tighter regulations on bone-crushing reptiles they say are slithering their way across South Florida.

Faced with a proliferation of giant snakes, monitor lizards and other dangerous non-venomous reptiles dumped in the wild by overwhelmed pet owners, two Treasure Coast lawmakers are sponsoring measures to stop the invasion of exotic predators that are competing with native species for food.

If approved, the measure would require a $100 fee from owners of large non-venomous reptiles to fund education efforts and amnesty programs. The bill would add Burmese, African rock, reticulated and amethystine pythons and monitor lizards to the list of reptiles requiring registration.

Officials estimate as many as 5,000 Floridians would be required to register their pets.

“Many people are purchasing these (animals) and then finding out when they are no longer 2 or 3 feet long but are now 10 or 12 or 15 feet long,” said House sponsor Ralph Poppell, R-Vero Beach.

Despite a few sensational snake stories, state wildlife officials say the public does not appreciate the scale of the problem, which is getting worse in remote regions throughout the Everglades and Southwest Florida. Last year, game officers found 71 adult constrictors in the Everglades, which they say represents a tiny percentage of the well-camouflaged critters living in the region and competing with native species for food.

A major problem facing wildlife experts is the release of large reptiles by pet owners who buy the animals as babies and can no longer care for them as they reach mammoth proportions.

“We have a great climate here; we’re surrounded by water and have many ports,” said Marianne Gengenbach, representing The Nature Conservancy. “As such we are uniquely vulnerable here in Florida to invasive species and their ability to not only survive but thrive in this state but wreak havoc.”

State law already regulates the possession of venomous reptiles. Poppell’s measure would expand the scope to a group of non-venomous creatures including pythons, anacondas and monitor lizards. If approved by lawmakers, the wildlife commission would draw up rules by September.

The reptilian roundup is part of a larger initiative to revamp state laws regulating all kinds of big and often dangerous animals kept as pets.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE SCALY KIND

. Fisherman Jerry McBride caught an 11-foot albino python along the bank of the Indian River Lagoon at Walton Road in November.

. A 13-foot Burmese python burst after it apparently tried to swallow a live, six-foot alligator whole in October.

. A 10-foot African rock python was trapped by a turkey it swallowed in October when it couldn’t fit back through the fence it crawled through to enter a Miami nursery.

. A 12-foot Burmese python was suspected in October of eating a Siamese cat named Frances in a Miami Gardens backyard.

. About 54 people called to claim an escaped python in Vero Beach – until they realized there would be a fine for letting it loose.

. A baby ball python was reported stolen in August from a Port St. Lucie pet store.

. A beagle puppy named “Python Pete” was employed early this year to sniff out the invasive snakes in Everglades National Park for capture and destruction.

The Associated Press, Vero Beach Police Department Animal Control Officer Bruce Dangerfield, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Tags: News World
Previous Post

LOOSE PYTHONS SPAWN STATE ACTION

Next Post

Woman says a panther killed 7 pigs at her home

Carole

BCR

Big Cat Rescue is Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade

Related Posts

News World

Enrichment Program @ BIG CAT RESCUE!

May 7, 2022
73
Zanesville Massacre 18 tigers 17 lions 3 cougars gunned down
News World

Zanesville Massacre 18 tigers 17 lions 3 cougars gunned down

October 20, 2021
9k
Vanessa Hudgens Shame
Cat Laws

Cub Petting Shame

September 12, 2021
5.9k
Snow Leopard
News @ BCR

Save Snow Leopards

April 17, 2021
4.6k
Be Safe Out There!
How To Start A Sanctuary

Rules

March 31, 2020
532
Next Post

Woman says a panther killed 7 pigs at her home

Leave a Reply

  • Default Comments (0)
  • Facebook Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Help Feed Big Cats

One of the best ways to help is through general donations that can be used however it is most needed at the time.To make a general donation just click the Donate Now button below.  This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats.

Give to Big Cat Rescue

If you prefer to donate via Pay Pal, please use this link: Pay Pal

Recent Articles

  • Film May 9, 2022
  • Enrichment Program @ BIG CAT RESCUE! May 7, 2022
  • Enrichment May 7, 2022

More From BigCatRescue

  • Big Cat Rescue is Live 24/7 on Webcams
  • Rescue Missions
  • About Big Cat Rescue
  • Big Cat Rescue News
  • Reviews
  • Our Recent Work
  • Sanctuary FAQs
  • Big Cat TV

Sanctuary Cats

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Ways to Help

  • Newsletter SignUp
  • Donate Now
  • Shop
  • Wish List
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • View AMP Version

Save Big Cats

Donate to Big Cat Rescue
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • About BCR
  • News @ BCR
  • Videos
  • Big Cat Facts
  • Cub Facts
  • Sanctuary Cats
  • Shop and Save Cats
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Abuse Issues
  • Contact Us

© Copyright 2021 BigCatRescue.Org. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Add New Playlist