"But I bet horses probably kill more people. "Accidents can of course happen," said Shealy, who has owned snakes for 37 years without a single incident. Owners acknowledge that laws are often driven by occasional freak accidents - but many more said it reflects that, well, reptiles aren't as well-liked. "We try to be real conscientious and make sure buyers know what they're getting into," Martin said. I'm much better about locking up now."Ĭandy Martin, a Georgia resident and one of Buttercup's owners, said mistakes often happen with inexperienced owners. "That was a little scary, but I found it before the neighbors did," Jacobs said. Jack Jacobs, an Apex resident who was browsing through the iguanas at the expo, said he once accidentally let his red-tailed python out of the cage. Excluded from the new law are veterinarians, zookeepers and wildlife control agents. People who don't follow the new rules can be charged with a misdemeanor and possibly more if someone gets injured. If one of the reptiles covered by the new law escapes, the owner must call authorities immediately. "We're much happier that this is what happened," Robinette said. That bill never made it past the House floor after outspoken reptile owners and farmers said the proposal covered too many animals. Two years ago, snakes and other species of reptiles escaped inclusion in a controversial effort by animal rights groups to ban private ownership of "inherently dangerous" animals.
The new measure was the result of a compromise. "There are probably people upset about it," Robinette said, "but it's common sense, nothing extreme." Association of Reptile Keepers, said the new law was reasonable. Mack Robinette of Charlotte, vice president of the U.S. They must also keep a written bite protocol near the container that has contact information for local animal control and guidelines for antivenin treatments.
The new law says that owners of these animals must keep the reptiles in bite- and escape-proof containers with locks. "It's irresponsible owners that create a stupid panic," said Frank Shealy, a teacher and snake vendor from South Boston, Va. 1, a new state law will require that venomous reptiles, crocodilians and snakes that squeeze must be kept under lock and key.ĭozens of reptile vendors hissed about the new restrictions Saturday at the Carolina Reptile and Exotic Animal Show, which continues today at the N.C. RALEIGH - Buttercup loves to wrap herself around visitors, embracing their arms and torsos with her sunshine-colored coils.īut the 16-foot boa constrictor might not be able to slither freely for much longer. Welcome Anonymous Register a Nickname! or NC-Snake lovers lament new law - Experts Forum at
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