Ban The Sale Of Wild Animals? What About Fish?

[Feathers and Fins]

Short of making everybody take an extensive test before getting a permit, and regular inspection of pens, etc. I don't see any good way of controlling this. I see no need for just any Tom, Dick, or Harry to own large, potentially dangerous wild animals. It is seldom good for the animal, for one thing. So I'd be all for a nationwide law forcing prospective owners to take that extensive test and get those regular inspections. But, of course, that would mean a lot of cost and bureaucracy.

Having spent time around wolves and wolf-dog hybrids, I'm pretty sure that, unless you've been trained in the psychological differences between them and dogs, you definitely shouldn't own one. Wolves simply have a different mindset and habits from dogs, and wolf/dog hybrids are very often neurotic and unpredictable. As for the big cats, or bears, I don't see how anybody could think they would make good "pets". Too many people want one just to say they own one and act tough and cool.

And, of course, pythons and boa constrictors that people decided to get rid of by releasing them into the wild are causing all sorts of problems in Florida for the native wildlife.

If all states would use Florida's system it would weed out alot of the people who shouldnt have them. 1 YEAR and no less than 1000 hours under a trainer who is already licensed in the care feeding and husbandry of the animal. Inspections are regular, The Bureaucracy is next to nothing. There is a fee for the permit which also helps cover the inspection cost. It makes since and works. Now I will address the comment of the Invasives in Florida. Many of them were released from Andrew and others yes from people who had no bussiness having them.

Most people IMO who own exotics do it for Macho image, I have seen it first hand and then there are those who buy them for little Johnny and the cure little 16'' burm quickly grows to a monsterous 12' beast and they let it go. Or the cute Monkey bites child and they let it go. Deffinately happens unfortunately more times than not. But the good is those who really keep them for the right reason and that is love and passion only someone who has it will understand. Those are the people who try and institute the laws and permitting procedures. Im all for it You have to have a License to Drive and to Hunt why not for exotics?

Big Differance between wolves and the hybrids is an understatement and nice to see someone else say it. Im not sure i would have wanted a hybrid after seeing some of them. But loved having the wolves, Our big female was the best babysitter alive. When the boys were young if one of them got to far in the yard toward the street she would grab them by the shirt collar and bring them back. If someone was walking down the street toward the house Both would pace the yard and when the person got close would line up on them. My neighbors loved their kids being over they felt they were always safe. To hear them howl always gave me a great peace it was so primal yet so relaxing. Were they capabale of an attack? WITHOUT QUESTION but in 14 and 16 years never bit never harmed a person. Had someone made a aggressive move toward my family no doubt the result would have been instant and deadly. I miss them both each day as they brought alot of joy to my life.

[snagged in outlet 3]

That could be said about anything. While true, I don't know about it as logic for banning any given activity (if that's what you're getting at.) I could say it about guns, cars, pharmaceuticals, power tools - all great when used properly, but if a crazy guy wants to misuse them to harm somebody, he's probably gonna do it.

It wasn't a comment on banning the activity. Although I don't understand the purpose of it.

My .38 has never crawled out my car and shot anyone on it's own. Even when the car was unlocked.

Pete

[Outside Bend]

If someone uses violence to strike fear into society, he's a terrorist. If someone uses 50 escaped exotic wild animals to strike fear into society...does that make him a bearrorist?

[taxidermist]

There are laws on the books, you cannot touch a fledgling, Feds have all this wrapped up. To own exotic animals you must meet min. standards already set forth.

[Al Agnew]

If all states would use Florida's system it would weed out alot of the people who shouldnt have them. 1 YEAR and no less than 1000 hours under a trainer who is already licensed in the care feeding and husbandry of the animal. Inspections are regular, The Bureaucracy is next to nothing. There is a fee for the permit which also helps cover the inspection cost. It makes since and works. Now I will address the comment of the Invasives in Florida. Many of them were released from Andrew and others yes from people who had no bussiness having them.

Most people IMO who own exotics do it for Macho image, I have seen it first hand and then there are those who buy them for little Johnny and the cure little 16'' burm quickly grows to a monsterous 12' beast and they let it go. Or the cute Monkey bites child and they let it go. Deffinately happens unfortunately more times than not. But the good is those who really keep them for the right reason and that is love and passion only someone who has it will understand. Those are the people who try and institute the laws and permitting procedures. Im all for it You have to have a License to Drive and to Hunt why not for exotics?

Big Differance between wolves and the hybrids is an understatement and nice to see someone else say it. Im not sure i would have wanted a hybrid after seeing some of them. But loved having the wolves, Our big female was the best babysitter alive. When the boys were young if one of them got to far in the yard toward the street she would grab them by the shirt collar and bring them back. If someone was walking down the street toward the house Both would pace the yard and when the person got close would line up on them. My neighbors loved their kids being over they felt they were always safe. To hear them howl always gave me a great peace it was so primal yet so relaxing. Were they capabale of an attack? WITHOUT QUESTION but in 14 and 16 years never bit never harmed a person. Had someone made a aggressive move toward my family no doubt the result would have been instant and deadly. I miss them both each day as they brought alot of joy to my life.

I agree on the wolves...they can be terrific animals to live with. But they are not dogs and you can't expect them to act like dogs if you treat them like dogs.

[Mark]

Exotic wild pet owners remind me of the teenager with the Mohawk/pierced nose and lips that seems to be crying out "Look at me!!" Does any wild animal like being penned up all it's life just so some self gratifying moron can feel good around his friends.?

[Outside Bend]

Exotic wild pet owners remind me of the teenager with the Mohawk/pierced nose and lips that seems to be crying out "Look at me!!" Does any wild animal like being penned up all it's life just so some self gratifying moron can feel good around his friends.?

To me it's no more strange than someone shelling out thousands for a gigantic Great Dane or Mastiff, or pimping out their SUV or truck, or buying a thousand-dollar fly rod. They're all status symbols, and the folks who buy into them believe these objects say something about themselves. If it makes them happy and doesn't harm anyone in the process, I have no qualm with it.

Exotic animals released by their former owners have caused a lot of ecological damage, that's for sure. But I'm not sure passing more legislation as a knee-jerk reaction to recent headlines is an appropriate response.

[Feathers and Fins]

I agree on the wolves...they can be terrific animals to live with. But they are not dogs and you can't expect them to act like dogs if you treat them like dogs.

LMAO, How true that is, Dogs are well we all know what dogs are but a Wolf are a pure pack animal, If you do not understand BOND Trainning you will never understand the dedication it takes to live with a wolf. And you better be ready for the ride of a life from the pranks they play to the demand for affection.