New "dangerous snake" bill set for Ohio!

[Optreptiles]

A new bill, SB-310, has been proposed in Ohio by the Ohio state senator, Troy Balderson. If this bill is passed, it will ban the following snakes:

• Green anacondas;
• Yellow anacondas;
• Reticulated pythons;
• Indian pythons;
• Burmese pythons;
• North African rock pythons;
• South African rock pythons;
• Amethystine pythons;
• Boa constrictors
• Species of the Family Atractaspididae;
• Species of the Family Elapidae;
• Species of the Family Viperidae;
• Boomslang snakes;
• Twig snakes; and
• Any other snakes designated by the Director in rules.

I think this bill is WAY out of line, going so far as to include boa constrictors! this bill would be a massive blow to thousands of Ohioans who own snakes, it would ruin the livelihood of thousands, and it would pave the way for similar bills to be introduced in other states.

You can read a breakdown of the bill here: http://www.pijac.org/_documents/oh_sb_310_dangerous_exotic_animals.pdf

And the official bill here: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText129/129_SB_310_I_Y.pdf

I urge everyone, even if you do not own large or venomous snakes, even if you do not live in Ohio, please contact the members of the Ohio Senate Agriculture Committee and let them know what you think!

Senator Cliff Hite (R), Chairman
[email protected]
Ph: (614) 466-8150

Senator Tim Schaffer (R), Vice Chairman
[email protected]
Ph: (614) 466-5838

Senator Lou Gentile (D), Ranking Minority Member
[email protected]
Ph: (614) 466-6508

Senator Troy Balderson (R)
[email protected]
Ph: (614) 466-8076

Senator Dave Burke (R)
[email protected]
Ph: (614) 466-8049

Senator Capri Cafaro (D)
[email protected]
Ph: (614) 466-7182

Senator Keith Faber (R)
[email protected]
Ph: (614) 466-7584

Senator Gayle Manning (R)
[email protected]
Ph: (614) 644-7613

Senator Joe Schiavoni (D)
[email protected]
Ph: (614) 466-8285

Remember, they won't stop at these snakes, they'll keep going until every last reptile in the US is illegal!