Statement from Pet Advocacy Network President and CEO Mike Bober:
“The senseless killing on April 6 of nearly three dozen snakes at a reptile facility in West Palm Beach was tragic, and we extend our deepest sympathy to the animals’ owners. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers killed 34 pythons that the owner was led to believe by FWC officers were grandfathered in and thus exempt from the prohibition, as well as a pet boa constrictor that they misidentified as a python. They also acted in complete contradiction to repeated public assurances by FWC Chairman Barreto that current owners of now-prohibited species can keep them ‘until their death,’ and that ‘no one from the state is going to come take them away from you.’
This disastrous event demonstrates that FWC’s intent to significantly expand species prohibitions in the state would be catastrophic for Florida pet owners and hobbyists when their own officers already fail to act in compliance with the rules and cannot accurately identify prohibited species. We stand with Florida’s responsible reptile owners and keepers in opposition to the unwarranted efforts by FWC to grossly expand the number of species prohibited from trade in the state of Florida.”
About Pet Advocacy Network
The Pet Advocacy Network connects the experience and expertise of the responsible pet care community to lawmakers and governing bodies, advocating for legislative and regulatory priorities at the local, state, federal and international levels. Since 1971, the organization has worked to promote animal well-being and responsible pet ownership, foster environmental stewardship, and ensure access to healthy pets, including small animals, cats, dogs, fish, reptiles and birds. Our members include retailers, companion animal suppliers, manufacturers, wholesale distributors, manufacturers’ representatives, pet hobbyists, and other trade organizations.