hello

[John Popp]

The exotic community felt that it was a "divide and conquer" plan to split them up and resisted. They still resent the Savannah folk for distancing ourselves and fighting as "domestic cats"... yet that is what our breed is! We happily told the public that in our opinion Servals did not deserve to be banned and were no threat, but our defense of our breed was that it was a domestic cat breed and should not be included.

It's unfortunate that the big cat folks didn't frame their argument in the view of how the legislators would see things. In light of what happened in Ohio, it was apparent there was a calling from the public to do something. What happened at the Zanesville farm should give anyone pause, and obviously there needed to be legislation that would keep something like that from happening again. On the other side of the fence, the fears brought on the general population was genuine and demanded resolution, both in the safety of animals and in the case of an at large bengal tiger a public safety issue.

Anyway, much thanks to those who fought the good fight here in Ohio as it was just prior to me getting my first SV. It was something that I had my sites set on for more than 10 years, just finally had the opportunity and a roster spot open for my buddy Chongo.

 

[cbain]

Summit co. Ohio put a exotic pet law in effect in 1984 due to someone keeping a tiger loose in their house and in play the 16 month old Bengal Tiger killed the mans young son.http://www.ohio.com/news/exotic-animals-owners-are-sued-1.94094 Before the law all exotic pets were legal with no inspection of the cage, at the time I had a 100 gallon aquarium and needed feeder goldfish and one day I went into Tanks a Lot ,a pet store in south Akron, Ohio and the owner came over and said, I remember you from Portage Iron & Steel bar, I had been in there a few times and said yeah, and went along even though I didn't remember him, he discounted my feeder gold fish and let me net the ones I wanted. Tanks a Lot sold everything, I have seen them with, Lion cubs, I used to pet them, Ocelots, Caracals, assorted monkeys , Boa's snakes,poison snakes, Copperheads, Rattlesnakes, and a big brown snake and when I asked what it was ? Cobra $225 for you if your interested, a few months later I was proof reading the paper and there was a article ,Akron man in critical condition after being bitted by a cobra. Tanks a Lot was like going to the zoo, one big monkey was returned 5 times before someone who could handle him bought him. I never saw Tanks a Lot with a Serval for sale . When Summit co. passed it's exotic pet law a lot of people were left with animals they had to rehome soon, I remember a picture of a Akron couple and their lion and a story about how they felt the new law was unfair, the lion was wearing a thick leather collier and was chained to a pole it a single car garage, no cage . Tanks a Lot closed years ago after the owner had a run in with the law over something not related to animals

 

[Bekki]

I love dogs just as much as anyone. I understand the whole man's best friend, and I agree. However, an aggressive cat (of any breed) can do a lot less damage than any dog (of any breed). I hate that Pit Bulls are banned here, they are a lovely breed of dog, and I have met some pretty awesome ones. In fact, I would consider owning one if I could. I have also met some absolutely lovely wolves and they just acted like rambunctious dogs. I don't believe there should be bans against the dogs either, I am just stating that its ass backwards in the "dangerous animal" aspect.

Pitbulls are actually banned in states? what? They were nicknamed nAnny dogs. Because of how great they are around children. The bites occur because of lazy or aggressive training techniques. yes aggressive mothers can have aggressive young but that isn't the primary trait in a put bull. It's how they were raised and how well their owners trained them. or if their owners trained to be an aggressive dog, I see landlords around here turning down tenants because of pit bulls. It's the owners who give them the bad rap. just like that Himalayan cat that attacked ad cornered his owners.. He kicked the cat I bet that isn't the first time he showed aggression like that. And the cat had enough of his crap and rebelled. That's what happens. Rottweilers are big babies and so are German shepards. if you know how to act and introduce yourself to an animal. to understand body language then you can a avoid confrontation. maybe I'm just more in tune with pet etiquette and reading vibes off of them,maybe that's why animals typically seem to accept me rather quickly


"Those who wander aren't always lost"

 

[Bekki]

And I thought I read f5 or later generation although now that I think of it I think the phrase was a savannah cat or bengal is legal when at least 5 generations removed from its serval ancestor. In ny state


"Those who wander aren't always lost"

 

[Bekki]

I still can't believe what happened in Ohio. And I hate the broad generalization of all non domestic cats being a threat. A cougar is a far leap from a bobcat which is a far leap from a serval. certain breeds are common pets because of natural temperament they are all different have their own quirks and similarities but placing a law because of a lion attack and banning hybrid cats because of it. not cool do some research on the breed. persoanlly if I could I would have gotten a bobcat years ago.,, not in ny state though. I see and hear they have amazing temperaments. same with servals. Proper socialization and training and having the right owner who is devoted to the responsibility of an exotic cat why not let them have a smaller or less threatening breed. If they are the right fit and are responsible enough I see no reason for the government to step in. It is the irresponsible pet owners we can thank for laws


"Those who wander aren't always lost"

 

[Patti]

Actually, NY law states that any cat without wild felid parentage for a minimum of five generations is legal. If you interpret this literally it means that since F1s have a wild felid parent you have to start counting generations at the F2 level, so F6 or later is legal. MA has a similar law, but theirs says three generations without wild felid parentage so F4 or later is legal there.

 

[Bekki]

You know that sounds about right. of all people I'm sure you guys know the laws best. I am by no means an attorney. All I know is I did alot of reading through boring laws and paperwork and made calls to double check. And it all kinda blurs together lol


"Those who wander aren't always lost"

 

[Kristin]

Pitbulls are actually banned in states? what? They were nicknamed nAnny dogs. Because of how great they are around children. The bites occur because of lazy or aggressive training techniques. yes aggressive mothers can have aggressive young but that isn't the primary trait in a put bull. It's how they were raised and how well their owners trained them. or if their owners trained to be an aggressive dog, I see landlords around here turning down tenants because of pit bulls. It's the owners who give them the bad rap. just like that Himalayan cat that attacked ad cornered his owners.. He kicked the cat I bet that isn't the first time he showed aggression like that. And the cat had enough of his crap and rebelled. That's what happens. Rottweilers are big babies and so are German shepards. if you know how to act and introduce yourself to an animal. to understand body language then you can a avoid confrontation. maybe I'm just more in tune with pet etiquette and reading vibes off of them,maybe that's why animals typically seem to accept me rather quickly


"Those who wander aren't always lost"

Province lol...I don't know about the States, but Ontario bans Pit bulls. I don't think the other provinces do...I know Alberta doesn't. It's so stupid, I've seen worse Goldens than Pitties...or any bully breed for that matter. In the dog daycare we aren't "allowed to have full pits" because they aren't legal..so we say they are mixed. Our one Pit is one of the absolute best dogs in the place. I think there must have been a lot of illegal activity with the Pits awhile ago to get them banned. I know that the Pit in daycare was almost stolen out of his yard about a year ago...

No matter how you slice it, bad owners create these problems. Its too bad you can't ban stupid

 

[Bekki]

Wow just wow. And I didn't know you were from Canada. I'm just across the border. And you are completely right. Buffalo, ny had an issue with dog fighting (oj Simpson remember him?) and they used pitbulls since we are so close to Ontario that could be the cause


"Those who wander aren't always lost"

 

[Bekki]

I wish I knew more about laws and how to sway them


"Those who wander aren't always lost"