Private Ownership Of Exotic Animals

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   TigerladyFloresposted 14 years ago

   There has been alot of controversy about wild exotic animals in the news recently on private ownership of lions, tigers, bears, etc. The State of Ohio is under fire because of the recent death of an animal caretaker, by a bear he was feeding at a private facility.
   
   This is fuel for the big AR groups to rip through Ohio with animal bans. Although my personal opinions are such, that I don't think everyone should have a large wild carnivore (many shouldn't even have kids or be allowed to drive a car)
   
   I do have a big problem with banning laws. I know a great many people who do right by their exotic animals and provide safe and humane treatment. Many of the nicest zoos in the USA started off as someone's private collection.
   Private owners should not have to suffer the consequences of someone elses mistakes.
   
   Yes it has been said that these kind of animals belong in the wild, but the truth is there are so many born into captivity,the United States has more captive exotic animals than in the wild. It is not their fault they were born into this world. There are folks out there that truely care about their well being, they do deserve a chance to live their lives safe & free from abuse!
   
   The AR Groups have jumped on the bandwagon, to help the States Governor pass the Ban on exotic animals, they are writing the laws, and using the tax payers money to enforce them. People will be forced to give up their animals. Sanctuaries & Rescues are full and will require funding to build enclosures, food and vet care once this ban is passed. Many will be euthanized! This is another example of the government taking over and twisting the arm of the people!

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      libby101aposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with pretty much everything you say! I think only responsible owners should be allowed to own exotic pets! It's sad when a carnivore attacks someone and the animal has to be put down when in fact it was err on the owner! They either aren't feeding the animal appropriately, don't have safe facilities to house the animals, are allowing people inside the enclosures to visit their carnivores, or basically do not have enough knowledge on the animal they are keeping! When someone keeps a large cat or bear or some other carnivore it is critical if not life threatening if they are not experts in the animal they are keeping! Many of these owners have little knowledge of the animals and expect everything to go smoothly!
      
      I agree it is wrong to ban ownership of exotic pets because there are responsible ones out there! That is punishing the innocent for the sins of the guilty and just simply not fair!
      
      Many of the animals being kept in captivity or owned privately are animals that are getting very close to extinction. There are very few of them left in the wild. And to stop private ownership will decrease the numbers drastically! It is not feasable to introduce privately owned pets back into the wild, but later it is important to have these animals available when it's time to breed these specifically for placing them back into the wild!
      
      I've seen very responsible owners who are very knowledgable and keep the enclosures safe for the public as well as the animals! They understand the dangers and take full responsibility for keeping it safe for all! It would be wrong to take away their rights over the ignorance of a few!
      
      I totally agree there should not be a ban! Sadly many states are banning anyone except zoos from owning an exotic pet! While other states place huge standards... such as being licensed and getting permits! Some states have no banning whatsoever... but even in these states there is still the issue of county and city bans! So even in a state where it is completely legal to own an exotic animal... a person could still be prohibited from keeping their pet if the city or county have laws against it!
      
      I certainly understand to a degree. It would be horrible if my next door neighbor owned a large carnivore cat... such as a tiger or an african male lion and he is irresponsible... and I have small children! And his cat gets lose and kills my child! I can almost understand the reasoning behind some of the bans! Because not everyone is responsible and we are putting our lives in the hands of people who we have no idea will keep their pets safely enclosed!
      
      I guess I think we should come to some sort of middle ground! I think all states should develop something new! Such as all exotic pet owners can get permits if they take a six week class in the category of their animals. The class should consist of proper housing, safety, feeding, training, diseases, and what to do in case of an attack or if their animal escapes! Then they should be inspected regularly to see that their enclosures are safe for the animals and the neighborhood! I know some cities and counties do this already but there are some areas that do not regulate anything and it poses a risk to people around the owner if the owner is irresponsible!
      
      So I don't think it's fair or right to ban the ownership of these animals.. but I do think there should be regulations and screenings! People who have had attacks in the past probably should not ever be given a permit for animals that are considered a "threat".
      
      I'm glad to see someone has the same views as me. We may not believe exactly the same... but I share in your thoughts!

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2. 82

   CMHypnoposted 14 years ago

   I think that there are very few private individuals in the world who have the space, money, knowledge and time to keep large carnivores successfully as pets, and the place for these animals is not somebody's back yard. They need space, the right diet and, in the case of pack animals, company.
   
   It is banned in the UK, and I think that if a country does allow it the owners need to be strictly licensed and inspected on a regular basis to ensure that the needs of the animal are being met and that the safety aspects are being covered.
   
   There have been too many tragic accidents and incidents of neglect of the animals.  These animals are not pets, they are wild animals with the instincts of wild animals, so if people want something to cuddle they should get a cat or a rabbit.

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   1. 60

      libby101aposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I agree! Keeping a wild carnivore in a confined space is asking for trouble! They need ample room to live comfortably and most people do not have the accomodations!
      
      This is why I say they must be inspected regularly! If they cannot provide everything needed for the animal then they should be given a permit! I believe most should not get a permit because they lack the knowledge to handle animals of such dangers!
      
      I agree that there has been far too many tragic accidnets when these pets are privately owned. This is because there are too many unqualified people thinking they can "do it". I don't think it's fair to the qualified people to ban it completely! There are some who have owned exotic pets (carnivores) their entire lives and have had no incidents! These are the ones who are contributing something to stop extinctin of these species!

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3. 60

   Joe Badtoeposted 14 years ago

   I keep a python down my underpants....oh hang on a minute!!!
   
   
   I have better jokes.

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4. 0

   TigerladyFloresposted 14 years ago

   We are a licensed rescue facility, and get inspected every three months without notice! We have never had escapes or injuries, and the public does not have direct contact with our animals, we have a perimeter fence, and security cameras etc.
   If this ban passes we will not be able to take in additional rescues, and require to pay extra fees etc. We run on donations, and when those run out we use our own funds to care for the animals. And I would like to say,I do not refer to these type of wild animals as pets! They are not pets! I can't stand when a person refers to them as such! I have much respect for these animals,they did not ask to be born into this world. They deserve to live their lives safe and free from abuse!
   There are many people that privately own them, if they want to continue to keep their animals, they must be aware of whats going on in their State. Because of a few bad apples, our rights are being taken away from us!
   My husband and I have worked with exotics for over 20 years now, we ran a Wildlife Park in Texas, I was the manager, he and several others cared for all the animals. We worked hard at various other rescue facilities over the years, and now our own! It takes a special person to do the kind of work we do, training, expirence, and a love for animals!
   It is true that alot of the species of exotics are extinct in the wild, we house a indo-chinese tiger at our rescue, we tried to get him into a breeding program, we turned it down because the organization wanted us to relinquish our rights to the tiger and give him to them, with absolutely no compensation whats so ever! I could never do that to a cat I promised to keep safe and free from abuse! For some place to turn him into a breeding machine, its their loss, and his gain to have a good life!
   
   I agree a training program should be a requirement, and a license to have them, and inspections of facilities etc. Education is the key!

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      libby101aposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I very much respect and appreciate what you are doing! Animals have rights just as we do! And I admire your obligation to that tiger! A lot of people do not understand that so many animals are going extinct and many of these are kept privately!
      
      It's important that people are educated about what you do as well! If more people understood the value of what you are doing they might would change their views! Too many people are against something that they have no idea of what value it provides! Just because a few bad people have abused animals or allowed attacks doesn't mean the rest are bad! Too many people rush to judgement before knowing the facts!
      
      
      God bless you for what you do! I love all animals and respect is absolutely the key! If you respect these animals and understand what they can do and are educated then mistakes and attacks are rare if not impossible to happen!!!

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