Do you think snakes should be banned in Ohio?

There are two bills trying to ban snakes in Ohio right now. One is HB 352, which will ban ALL snakes--your corn snake, little garter, milk, ball python, etc. The other, Kasich's Dangerous Wild Animal ban, will ban all boas and pythons-balls, childrens, spotteds, womas.



Do you think that these animals should be banned? Please state why you think they should/shouldn't. Also, please write to Kasich and Representative Phillips if you live in Ohio: your snake will be ILLEGAL if you don't. More info here: http://arrowheadreptilerescue.org/.



Thanks!Do you think snakes should be banned in Ohio?
This is very similar to the pitball ban in Ontario, Canada where I live. I've owned a male, texas red nosed staff from the time that he was a puppy, which was around 7 years ago. He's a beautiful, friendly and well behaved dog. He lives with my son and I and another dog and in the 7yrs of owning him, I have never once seen one sign of aggression. I understand that he is a pitball and a bite from him is likely to do much more damage than a bite from a jack russel or small dog. But he's well cared for and has Been socialized with children, people and other animals from day one. I don't use him as a guard dog and I don't encourage jaw strengthening excersizes, like hanging or swinging from ropes. I don't want him to ever know his own strength and he doesn't - he's a total, loving and sweet lap dog. Well a few years ago, they enforced a pitball ban in my province and since he was born before a certain date, I was allowed to keep him. He is no longer allowed off the leash - in the leash free parks I used to take him for excersize and he has to wear a muzzle everytime he goes outside. As soon as people see my muzzled pitball in public, I get the "looks" and hear the comments like "well he's obviously dangerous or he wouldn't be muzzled!"

It's awful - he hates the muzzle and watches the other dogs off the leash and wines and cries and none of this is his fault. He's being punished because of irresponsible owners and the media and the widespread public fear that's created by them.

The point of this is that this Is what's happening to snakes in Ohio and I think it's disgusting. Humans are responsible for this. Thousands of snakes are killed every year by humans for things like shoes and purses and how many people are killed by snakes? Maybe about 10 deaths by pet constrictors in the last 25 years and I bet every single ones of those deaths was due to human error. Who's more dangerous - snakes or humans?? Irresponsible people get snakes, like burms and retics and anacondas because they want to be cool and they have no experience and are totally unprepared for that snake once it grows. They either release it into the wild or provide completely unacceptable care and as such, accidents happen. The media runs wild with it and everybody thinks that their children are going to be eaten in the middle of the night by a ball python or such.

Recently in toronto, a couple people found ball pythons in their homes - one in the bathroom and one in the floor boards. Well the media went crazy and there were quotes like "how can we keep out pets and children safe?" and "where can we get anti venom if we get bit?"

These were BALL pythons!! And the media did nothing to correct all the misconceptions.

Banning snakes should never be an option - education is the key and clearing up these misconceptions. People are scared of snakes because of ignorance. I see something like this and it makes me sad - I feel how I did when the pitball ban took effect.

Thanks for your post. Good luck!
No, they should not be banned. The incident in Zanesville that has prompted all of this did not include snakes.

It would also cut off some people's livelihoods and take away jobs. Banning these animals will also simply drive some people underground and will do nothing to solve the problem of irresponsible keepers.Do you think snakes should be banned in Ohio?
NO! and I've already written to the reps to give them my mind on this, and I'm not even from OHIO! The people in the hobby need to stick together, because if it can happen in Ohio...it could happen to YOU!
NODo you think snakes should be banned in Ohio?
no just another government trying to tell us what to do
No. That is a horrible idea and I am opposed to all anti-snake legislation. If it happens in one state, it will spread to others. Snakes are not the problem. If snakes are banned, they could just as easily ban dogs and cats (both proven more dangerous than snakes). If that type of restriction happens, people will lose the freedom to own pets and who knows what else.

This is all due to the perpetuated and irrational fear of snakes in this country. Why are people so afraid of snakes? Pet ones, in particular? It's laughable that a ball python or corn snake would be deemed as a "dangerous wild animal." The worst thing that could happen to you from a 4 foot nonvenomous pet snake would require a large band-aid and some ointment.

I do sometimes feel that irresponsible owners should be banned, though - although that would cause outrage just the same.

(That rescue is awesome, by the way. Very neat, organized website and lots of information. Ought to be more reptile rescues like that one.)
Anything attaining 8 feet or longer (at maturity) should be banned. The state should put a Qualified Expert Program in place similar to New Mexico's. This allows a degree of safety to the general public but also allows the serious herpers-with experience to continue. For info on Qualified expert:"



http://zoocrewkids.blogspot.com/