Haven't you always wanted a MonKEY ? NOT !

[cbelt3]

The Feds think NOT

"WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In the wake of a highly publicized chimpanzee attack, the U.S. House made its first official move to ban humans from owning primates as pets."
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While I don't see any good coming from owning chimps as pets personally, I definitely don't see any good coming from restricting exotic animal ownership at a federal level, unless there are perceived risks to the national population's health. In these cases, the risk is at the health of the owner

I see this as Nanny-Stateism, and a continuation of the loss of personal freedoms at the altar of Federal Government. Shame on the House. Shame. What's next ? Puppeh and Kitteh restrictions ?

[Doc]

Yes.

This is a subject for state and local authorities.

But you can take solace in the fact that most legislation coming from the House is just dumb grandstanding that goes nowhere.

The House postures while the Senate legislates.

[Acer]

After the shocking rash of attacks single attack in recent years last week...it's good to see our government take a stand on this grievous issue!



Meanwhile, back at the family planning clinic...

[OWC Jamie]

We already have some 'puppeh' restrictions.
Pit bulls aren't 'welcome' everywhere.

Don't recall the Feds getting involved with pit bulls.

[kanesa]

billb wrote:
We already have some 'puppeh' restrictions.
Pit bulls aren't 'welcome' everywhere.

Don't recall the Feds getting involved with pit bulls.

Good point, billb

I am sure a lot more people have been mauled and killed by pit bulls than chimps. lions. tigers, and any other wild animal.

Stupid legislation

[RgrF]

It gets sidetracked in a way that doesn't embarrass the original sponsor who they all know to be an ineffectual a$$hole.

[$tevie]

It doesn't "ban ownership of primates" in the sense that a local law would. It's the same rule that we already have for lions and tigers and bears, oh my. It prohibits people from buying or transporting primates across state lines to keep as pets. This legislation amended the Lacey Act, which had only applied to wildlife and fish. It's an amendment to an existing piece of legislation, the Lacey Act, which has been amended before, so it's really nothing all that new except for the addition of primates to the list.
http://www.hsus.org/press_and_publicatio...trade.html

http://www.triplepundit.com/pages/the-lacey-act-p.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacey_Act

Frankly, I don't see why primates weren't already included.

[Doc]

The chimp, Travis, who was recently shot dead during a rampage, was raised in a private home that had been converted into a facility for him. It was not an ordinary house and his owners had training in the care of adult chimps. They had been medicating him for an anxiety disorder under the supervision of a vet.

There are many such facilities in the U.S. because of all the chimps used in movie and television productions and in circuses. Chimps no longer look very cute and get very aggressive after their first 8 years or so. When they are no longer suitable for the entertainment industry, the choices come down to dumping them in zoos (overcrowded and under-financed), euthanizing them or finding homes like Sandra Herold's in Connecticut.

There's already a law in Connecticut -- and in most states -- preventing people from taking wild animals as pets without special permits. 20 states have outright bans on keeping primates in private homes. Preventing their transport across state lines is an unnecessary step that is likely to push the line towards euthanizing them.

The appropriate legislation would ban the use of wild animals for entertainment purposes without posting a bond and making arrangements for their care when they retire from the business.

[$tevie]

Doc wrote: The appropriate legislation would ban the use of wild animals for entertainment purposes without posting a bond and making arrangements for their care when they retire from the business.

That sounds like a very good idea to me.

[OWC Jamie]

or we can just make entertainment illegal like they have done with dog racing here in Massachusetts. :-)