NE2: Pet Snakes Owning Restrictions Act (Failed)

[Poirot]

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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.

[Talleyrand]

There are many experienced reptile handlers/collectors who this law would unfairly target. It's certainly a tragedy when a child is strangled in his sleep by a python, but these tragedies are avoidable as long as the caretakers are adequately trained. In addition, let's not forget that many snakes grow for indefinite periods of time, and I do not like the idea of someone having a snake for thirty years and then having it suddenly confisticated once it reaches the length of six feet, for example.

I'm fine with passing some sort of liability law or perhaps one that requires licenses to keep exotic animals, but this law is too limited and provides the wrong "medicine".

[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. 

[sentinel]

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

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Maybe people could get licenses to own snakes if the government sees fit.

[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.

[Talleyrand]

We will now have a final vote lasting 48 hours or until all representatives have voted. Please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

[Talleyrand]

NAY

[Earthling]

Aye

[sentinel]

As Governor, I advise a "No" vote on this bill. The bill is poorly written and state/municipal regulations have effectively dealt with the former sponsor's concerns behind proposing this bill.

Safety is important, but so is passing legislation that makes sense.

[Goldwater]

NAY

[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.

[Cincinnatus]

Nay

[sentinel]

Lets vote peepz.

[Talleyrand]

48 hours have since elapsed. With three votes in the negative and one in the affirmative, this bill fails.