In VT, there are some fairly silly laws regarding the keeping of exotics...
But the MOST ridiculous of that is the fact that ALL TURTLES AND TORTOISES excluding red ear sliders ARE BANNED AS PETS.
Now, I can understand the effect on the ecosystem if cold-weather turtle species escaped. I can even understand restricting notoriously HUGE species.
BUT COME ON VERMONT!!!
What the hell would happen? IS someone going to release a herd of tortoises on the land that would ZOMG EAT ALL THE CROPS!!!!?
If there is a Tortoise form of rabies are senior citizens and crawling baby unable to move away quickly enough to escape?
Are bears going to choke on frozen turtlecicles once winter hits or something?
I'm half tempted to gather all my reptile friends and encourage them to flood the game commissioners emailbox with requests to put tortoises back on the list of allowed animals, but I don't know if that will do us any good.
How does one/or a group, go about trying to speak some sense into ignorant public officials? The list is managed and enforce SOLEY by the fish and game commisioner of VT, so it's not like we have anyone else to ask for permission from.
But the MOST ridiculous of that is the fact that ALL TURTLES AND TORTOISES excluding red ear sliders ARE BANNED AS PETS.
Now, I can understand the effect on the ecosystem if cold-weather turtle species escaped. I can even understand restricting notoriously HUGE species.
BUT COME ON VERMONT!!!
What the hell would happen? IS someone going to release a herd of tortoises on the land that would ZOMG EAT ALL THE CROPS!!!!?
If there is a Tortoise form of rabies are senior citizens and crawling baby unable to move away quickly enough to escape?
Are bears going to choke on frozen turtlecicles once winter hits or something?
I'm half tempted to gather all my reptile friends and encourage them to flood the game commissioners emailbox with requests to put tortoises back on the list of allowed animals, but I don't know if that will do us any good.
How does one/or a group, go about trying to speak some sense into ignorant public officials? The list is managed and enforce SOLEY by the fish and game commisioner of VT, so it's not like we have anyone else to ask for permission from.
