Victory in WV...sort of.

[kernel]

Here some good news, I think, but there's no telling what they will deem dangerous.

zooherper (3/8/2012)[hr]Well, got this news this morning direct from the DNR director, and here is the press release:
From the Associated Press:

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Delegates have slowed enforcement of proposed exotic animal restrictions by requiring the Division of Natural Resources to write rules specifying which animals would be regulated.
After hearing from upset pet owners, House Judiciary committee members became concerned Wednesday that small pets like turtles, parrots and gerbils would be covered under the bill. The bill states that exotic animals to be regulated must be physically or biologically dangerous to humans, livestock and West Virginia wildlife.
The rule-writing process allows for public comment and would require the Legislature’s final approval of regulations next winter before the law could be enforced. It would also give the DNR more time to determine which animals would require permits and to set fees.
You can always tell when it is an election year...elected officials will always pass the baton on the controversial stuff.

[chris_tal2004]

Sooo...... umm nothing but lions, tigers, and bears? OH MY!

[Sylvias]

Parrots? Those are more dangerous than any snake I've ever dealt with -.- I don't have major blood loss and a resulting nasty scar from a snake.....

[GB2000]

Originally Posted by Sylvias

Parrots? Those are more dangerous than any snake I've ever dealt with -.- I don't have major blood loss and a resulting nasty scar from a snake.....

Hahaha...god I remember when I got nailed by a severe macaw working at the pet store. Mean little ****er...he loved me but he was bipolar and if he didn't want to be put away, he'd nail you. He also only liked me and the store manager, he was mean as hell to all other employees. The store manager had taught him how to get out of his cage and he would sneak out and go walking around the store. One day he snuck out and every time my friend subbing in small animals tried to get him to step up, he'd attack. So I went over to take care of it for her.

So I walk over... "Hey Dudley...come here...step up!" He walks over and hops right up. I'm walking him back to his cage and he realizes he's getting put away and BAM! He chomps down on my finger so hard it feels like I just slammed it with a ball-peen hammer.

...and he holds on.

At this point, I'm gritting my teeth, customers are standing around, my friend/co-worker is nearly crying. And I'm like, "It's okay...see...just gotta make him lose his balance...he'll let go to regain it." And I start wobbling my hand around sideways to knock him off balance.

Nope. He lets go with his feet and continues biting down as hard as he can while hanging with all his weight on his beak. At this point, I'm letting a very quiet "mother f*cking son of a b*tch" slip through my gritted teeth...customers are getting worried, I have my friend open the cage door stick him in there and pry his freaking jaws off of my finger. He finally released.

My finger was black and blue for a week...I couldn't bend it for the first few days. Didn't break the skin though. The customers were all asking if I was okay and my co-worker felt HORRIBLE because I got bit and she was the one who was supposed to be taking care of that area. But I told her I'd rather me get bit than watch any of the others take it. I owned 2 large parrots at the time and was used to getting tagged...except they always let go. lol

[zooherper]

Fun part about this is that the DNR is turning to the zoo where I work as to what should be restricted. We're focusing on mammals; but we did include crocodilians as well as hots. Had a debate on including large constrictors but ultimately decided not to recommend them for restriction. Hopefully they follow our recommendations and don't get too carried away with it.

As an aside, birds are a$$holes. 7/10 bites at work are bird bites. Had my pinky broke by a macaw, had a lorikeet bury its' beak into my thumbnail bed, had a chunk removed from my finger by an amazon. Then there are the raptors...I have been taloned more than I ever care to count lol.