I write today to oppose H 3985 (“Dangerous Wild Animals Act”).
South Carolina has historically been known as a state that zealously guarded personal and individual freedoms!
Bans are not the answer and this proposed legislation is unconstitutional. This bill will punish responsible reptile and exotic animal keepers. Some of the proposed reptile species are commonly kept as pets and many citizens will be affected.
While I understand your concerns over public safety, the exotic and reptile pet communities have evolved greatly and pet owners are much more responsible and educated. Animal cruelty should certainly be addressed, but banning and over-regulating pet ownership are not effective means to handle this concern. It’s a shame that the great state of South Carolina would allow special interest groups to influence public policy and not protect the freedoms of its citizens. Responsible pet owners are constantly being punished by overreaching legislation.
Why are you focusing so many resources to “fix” problems that don’t even exist? State governments should be fixing real issues and not removing more freedoms from hardworking and taxpaying citizens. The reptile sector of the pet industry represents annual revenues over $20,000,000 for South Carolina’s small businesses. This does not include the additional tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue to hotels, restaurants, etc. revolving around reptile shows. This legislation will destroy revenue and force family businesses into bankruptcy. Reptiles purchased as pets require caging, food and other supplies. Over 70,000 residents in South Carolina responsibly own reptiles and many reptiles are individually valued well over $1,000.
Not only does this bill unlawfully punishes the responsible keepers who currently have these animals as pets, but many animals will be senselessly killed. I implore you to vote “No” on H 3985 and uphold the freedoms of your constituents. Pet ownership is a matter of personal responsibility and not government action.
