NE2: Pet Snakes Owning Restrictions Act (Failed)

[Poirot]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Sponsor: Poirot

[Poirot]

Debate is opened for 72 hours.

I decided to propose a bill to regulate the ownership of pet snakes because of a tragic accident that happened last summer in the Northeast's associated territory of New Brunswick. Two boys died strangulated by a python kept in a home after it escaped from its cage. I think it's not the only time a child was killed by a snake.

Snakes can be dangerous. I believe we need regulations to protect our children's safety. This bill will forbid owning any venemous snake as pet, and put a maximum length for snakes. Longer snakes can be more powerful. I have put a zoo exemption to make clear the restrictions are for individuals who want a pet snake and not for a zoo.

[Poirot]

About snakes growing over a certain length over time, ideally I could make a list of snake species that will become too long at adult size but I don't have such a list. This list of species would not be sellable in stores but illegal market could exist. That is a reason to target owners.

Because accidents happen I target all owners, careful, experienced or not. I don't feel it's very appropriate to have super long snake as a pet. Outlawing something may be radical but I prefer that to make mandatory education for snake owner, or a test to have a license for ownership, or have state employees go check people's homes to see if the habitat of a snake is secure.

I could always put an amnisty for snake owners before the date of the law's adoption. 

[Poirot]

What do you think is super long? Some would say that your super long is too big, or perhaps the perfect size.

I have put the maximum at six feet long. It is somewhat arbitrary. Six feet is about how tall an adult man is. I think a snake that size is quite enough for a pet. More than that would require more elaborate living conditions for the snake.

[Poirot]

state/municipal regulations have effectively dealt with the former sponsor's concerns behind proposing this bill.

I introduced the bill because of the inadequacies of local bylaws.