Banning Ownership of All Exotic Animals

[lizbud]

This subject is near & dear to my heart as I firmly believe
all private owership of exotic animals should be forbidden.
(except for licensed Animal Rescue & Humane groups)

I know everyone probably doesn't agree on this, but I'd like
to offer my first reason (of many) for banning private
ownership. What do you think?


Starving Bear Cub Euthanized
'Little Bear' Suffered Increasingly From Seizures

POSTED: 4:56 pm EST May 22, 2004

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- A bear cub found starving last month at a Greene County residence filled with exotic animals was euthanized last week despite the efforts of veterinarians who tried to nurse it back to health.

The four-month-old black bear was euthanized after its condition deteriorated with progressively more severe seizures, said WildCare executive director Penny Stauffer.

"It was just heartbreaking," Stauffer said. "We'd gotten so close to this bear. He was like a baby."

The cub, which Stauffer and others named "Little Bear," was severely underweight and suffering from seizures when he was found -- along with several other exotic animals -- April 26 by Greene County sheriff's deputies.

Stauffer said the cub began suffering progressively stronger seizures last weekend that could not be controlled with medication.

She said black bear experts told her that the 5-pound bear should have weighed upwards of 20 pounds and would probably never be accepted at a black bear rehabilitation center because of his health problems.

After the decision was made, local veterinarian Tina Swanson euthanized "Little Bear" at Stauffer's home Wednesday night, she said.

The bear's carcass was taken to Purdue University for a necropsy. Stauffer said she hopes to receive the results of the examination in a week or two.

She said the bear's plight had touched a nerve with the public, who had besieged the center with offers of help and donations.

"It really touched us to see so many people cared about him," Stauffer said. "We certainly cared about him, too."

[Uabassoon]

I agree with banning certain exotics. I don't think anyone should have a bear or a tiger in their backyard, but things would start to get fuzzy as to what is considered exotic. Some people consider ferrets exotic and they are banned in some places which I think is dumb seeing has how ferrets have been domesticated as long as dogs and cats. So I guess I agree with you, but it just depends on what you would consider exotic.

[KYS]

I also agree in banning exotics for private ownership in most cases.

[2kitties]

I also agree and would add the term "wild" to "exotic." There are some animals not meant for captivity.

[lizbud]

I should have specified which animals are condidered exotic/
wild in Indiana. Most states have similar "lists". Just a permit
is required here & anyone with the money can buy an animal.



IND. ADMIN. CODE tit. 312, r. 9-11-8 - Class III wild animals for which a permit is required

Sec. 8. A permit is required under this rule for the following Class III wild animals:

(1) Wolves which are purebred.

(2) Bears (all species).

(3) Wild cats (all species), excluding except feral cats.

(4) Venomous reptiles.

(5) Crocodilians that are at least five (5) feet long.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

I agree with everyone else.
Ferrets are also illegal to own in California; most people (so I've heard) drive over to Arizona, where I guess they're not illegal to own, and smuggle them back to this state.

[Twisterdog]

I agree. There is absolutely NO reason on earth that a individual needs to own a wolf, tiger, bear, etc.

There was some woman here for a while who owned a bobcat. (Which is illegal in Wyoming, probably why she left.) The poor thing looked totally miserable. She would dress it up in shirts and coats and make it walk on a leash. OMG. Such a pathetic plea for attention. I felt so sorry for the poor thing.

If wild animals must be kept somewhere other than their natural, wild habitat, then they should be kept in large preserves and sanctuaries, where they can have some reasonably natural life. They do not belong in wire cages, in people's basements or truck-stop parking lots. A fate worse than death, IMO.

There is a huge comprehension problem in the public today concerning the terms "tame", "wild", "feral" and "domesticated." You can "tame" many wild animals, especially if they are acquired as babies. I have a tame starling in my living room, for example. However, simply because one animal happens to be "tame" as a youngster, does NOT mean the species is, or should be, a domesticated species. Domestication takes a LONG time, and "taming" one prairie dog, bobcat or coyote does not count. In addition, "tame" is a relative term ... a coyote, no matter how tame, is NEVER going to act like a domestic dog ... a ground squirrel is never going to act like a hamster, etc.

[NoahsMommy]

I don't think its illegal to OWN a ferret in California, its illegal to BUY a ferret in California...so I'm guess breeders are also illegal.

I agree that most exotics shouldn't be owned...

[CathyBogart]

Please define "exotic animal".

I don't think big cats or bears should be allowed, but the term "exotic" tends to include the reptiles I hold dear to my heart.

[DJFyrewolf36]

I agree that owning a wolf, bear, large cat etc is a bad idea. These animals, while they can be "tamed" still have wild instincts and can be quite dangerous to people who don't know what they are doing with them. Also, a lot of these animals have cirtian diatary needs that people either A can't afford or B don't know/care about them or C a combination of both, resulting in the animal suffering from poor heath conditions. Too, a lot of these animals are BIG critters that need a lot of space that owners cannot/will not provide them.
Now, I believe that some people take the word exotic too far. In some states, it's illigal to own/breed cirtan reptiles...reptiles that have been domesticated and breed redily in captivity. Some mutations dont even occur in the wild, yet it is illigal to own them. These reptiles are usually confiscated and put into zoos(rare) or killed. Some people want to ban owning of ANY reptile, which I can't see as being a reasonable solution. I bring up reptiles because usually the whole banning of exotics centers around our scaley companions. Rarely is the focus put on the animals that truely need to be free, like that black bear in the story.

[Kfamr]

I agree with most.

Although, I see it fine to own insects/small reptiles/lizards/geckos and so on.

[My Peanuts]

I also agree with most of this.

I was wondering what you all think about my boyfriend's snake, Akuma. Akuma is a 10 year old albino Burmese Python. He lives in a large key locked cage, but they are already thinking about upgrading it. He is friendly, but still handled under extreme caution. Akuma is about 15 feet long and weighs about 80 lbs. What are your opinions on him? Should he be banned too? Just curious.

[DJFyrewolf36]

Was Akuma wild caught or was he from a breeder? Im not sure about the laws on Burmiese pythons but I think that so long as he is provided for and his needs are met, your boyfriend should be allowed to keep him. I don't agree with catching things in the wild, since most reptiles can are bread in captivity especially if they are endangered. However, if wild catching wasn't done, we wouldn't even have dogs! So where is the line drawn between trying to get a breeding stock to domesticate or just pillaging wildlife

[CathyBogart]

I love seeing well cared for burmese. I would like to see restrictions on *who* can own them (since a lot of people buy the cute little babies and are unprepared for the 15 foot adult) but it sounds like your boyfriend is one of the good ones who actually wants the bug guys. They can be wonderful pets. I'd like to see him sometime if you get any pics.

[My Peanuts]

Akuma was from a breeder and not wild caught. We aren't afraid he is going to be taken away; I just was wondering everyone's opinions. He was a tiny little guy when my boyfriend got him, but he knew he'd be big. I'll try to post some pics soon. My boyfriend has tons!