Here is my current letter, still subject to revision:
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I am writing in response to the proposed bill by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife to prohibit importation/ownership of all genera of Boa, Python and Eunectes.
I am deeply concerned with the impact that this bill will have on the community of people who keep and breed reptiles as a hobby. The vast majority of the species covered in the bill pose little threat to everyday life, certainly not more than owning a cat or a dog. I understand this bill is a response to the recent invasion of large python species infiltrating south Florida, but why not concentrate on the regulation of those select few species instead of outright banning all members of Boidae, most of which rarely exceed 5 feet long? After all, that is what the state of Florida has done already with the following species: Burmese python, African rock python, reticulated python, and green anacondas. The bill that the U.S.F.W. is proposing that is against all pythons and boas is the equivalent of banning the ownership of all dogs based on pitbulls used on dogfighting.
This bill, while good in its intentions, will end up devastating the lives of many hobbyists who keep those smaller species. I, for one, own a ball python, a commonly kept species that rarely even reaches a length of five feet and poses no greater threat to human life than a cocker spaniel. I have had this snake for nearly 15 years, longer than any other pet I've owned. I couldn't bear to give him up, but if this bill is passed, I fear I will be forced to do so.
I hope that the powers that be reconsider this bill and what it really means for the reptile industry. ----------------------
Any comments? feedback?
