Post by Patrick Kubeja on Aug 17, 2004 8:19:20 GMT -5
I have been here bout banning reptiles in some cities in the US and found this article out of Chicago
PLAN TO BAN EXOTIC PETS RILES REPTILE OWNERS (CHICAGO)
Plan To Ban Exotic Pets Riles Reptile Owners (Chicago)
August 10, 2003 / By Stephanie Zimmermann/ Staff Reporter Chicago Sun Times
A proposal to ban exotic pets in Chicago is drawing the wrath of reptile
owners, who worry their pet iguanas, monitor lizards and snakes will get
swept up in the public's concern over monkeypox. Prairie dogs and Gambian
rats, two exotic pets blamed for the monkeypox outbreak earlier this summer
that sickened dozens of people across the Midwest, are the main targets of
a city ordinance proposed by Ald. Edward Burke (14th) and co-sponsored by
Ald. Shirley Coleman (16th). But the proposed ordinance also seeks to ban a
wide range of reptiles that can't spread monkeypox. Pet reptiles who'd be
shown the door in Chicago include garter snakes, iguanas, ball pythons and
boa constrictors--presumably because of the risk of salmonella bacteria.
"If they enact this, what happens to all these animals, these thousands of
animals that are out here?" asked Mike Dloogatch, a Northwest Side resident
who owns several pet snakes.
Critics of the proposed ordinance say dangerous animals, such as the
wolves, lions and venomous snakes mentioned in the proposed city ordinance,
already are banned by the Illinois Dangerous Animals Act. Reptile fans say
the risk of salmonella poisoning is easily eliminated by washing one's
hands thoroughly after handling the animal. Burke and Coleman could not be
reached for comment Friday
PLAN TO BAN EXOTIC PETS RILES REPTILE OWNERS (CHICAGO)
Plan To Ban Exotic Pets Riles Reptile Owners (Chicago)
August 10, 2003 / By Stephanie Zimmermann/ Staff Reporter Chicago Sun Times
A proposal to ban exotic pets in Chicago is drawing the wrath of reptile
owners, who worry their pet iguanas, monitor lizards and snakes will get
swept up in the public's concern over monkeypox. Prairie dogs and Gambian
rats, two exotic pets blamed for the monkeypox outbreak earlier this summer
that sickened dozens of people across the Midwest, are the main targets of
a city ordinance proposed by Ald. Edward Burke (14th) and co-sponsored by
Ald. Shirley Coleman (16th). But the proposed ordinance also seeks to ban a
wide range of reptiles that can't spread monkeypox. Pet reptiles who'd be
shown the door in Chicago include garter snakes, iguanas, ball pythons and
boa constrictors--presumably because of the risk of salmonella bacteria.
"If they enact this, what happens to all these animals, these thousands of
animals that are out here?" asked Mike Dloogatch, a Northwest Side resident
who owns several pet snakes.
Critics of the proposed ordinance say dangerous animals, such as the
wolves, lions and venomous snakes mentioned in the proposed city ordinance,
already are banned by the Illinois Dangerous Animals Act. Reptile fans say
the risk of salmonella poisoning is easily eliminated by washing one's
hands thoroughly after handling the animal. Burke and Coleman could not be
reached for comment Friday
