Very scary law

[Picklepaige]

I don't know if anyone has heard about the Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act (aka H.R. 669), but it is an act that will ban ALL pets in the U.S except for these:

(D) does not include any cat (Felis catus), cattle or oxen (Bos taurus), chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), dog (Canis lupus familiaris), donkey or ass (Equus asinus), domesticated members of the family Anatidae (geese), duck (domesticated Anas spp.), goat (Capra aegagrus hircus), goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus), horse (Equus caballus), llama (Lama glama), mule or hinny (Equus caballus x E. asinus), pig or hog (Sus scrofa domestica), domesticated varieties of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), or sheep (Ovis aries), or any other species or variety of species that is determined by the Secretary to be common and clearly domesticated.

This seems something that reptile and fish owners would need to look out for. Their goal is to stop people from releasing non-native animals into the environment and stopping the spread of diseases and native deaths. It's a good goal, but a very scary way to reach it.

[Fran101]

what about ferrets???

[Picklepaige]

I have no idea. Ferrets are one of the animals I'm worrying about, as well as rats. I cannot manage to imagine life without those by my side.

[Renee750il]

Most laws are pretty freaking scary if you actually READ them. The ARistas must be dancing for joy right now. How perfect . . . a worthy goal and a badly written law is all they need.

[Psyfalcon]

Ummm, goldfish are one of the biggest offenders on both the disease and releasing fronts. They are often unhealthy at first, but may still grow to be a foot long, and are capable of living under ice.

I need to find the full text. If its true as reported, it a major, international problem. It could even harm rain forests and reefs. (By placing a larger value on the fish, its been argued that it keeps people from clearcutting, etc.)

[Renee750il]

It really is a significant problem and has a terrible impact on fragile ecosystems, but we write laws in response that are so loosely written that they are nothing more than tools in the hands of the AR agenda.

[Groch]

Originally Posted by Psyfalcon

I need to find the full text. If its true as reported, it a major, international problem....

You can find the full text of the proposed bill on the link at the bottom of this page:
Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act (NWIPA) - Defenders of Wildlife

The act has nothing to do with banning any pets, in fact, it specifically protects animals already in the U.S.

It does set up a system to evaluate species impact on native species and the environment which could result in the banning of IMPORTING certain species into the U.S. Many species are already banned for import (Myna birds for example). This sets up a system to evaluate bans. The species listed by the first poster are ones that will NOT be even evaluated.

Depending on the results of the evaluations, certain breeds of reptiles, birds, ferrets etc may be banned for importation. That does not mean they will be banned from ownership. The state laws control that, not the federal ones.

I think it is a great thing, and looks to be well written.

[maltipoo]

That law is alittle insane.

I doubt it would pass though, time will tell

[Dizzy]

It is wise to protect your native plants and animals... but I am not sure how banning pets will help - where do they think people would get rid of said banned pets? Release them of course!

[Groch]

Originally Posted by Dizzy

It is wise to protect your native plants and animals... but I am not sure how banning pets will help - where do they think people would get rid of said banned pets? Release them of course!

It DOES NOT BAN ANY PETS!!!! Read the law (linked to above).