News for Florida animal advocates

This afternoon the Judiciary Committee of the U.S House of Representatives unanimously approved House Resolution 2811, a bill that would halt the import and interstate transport of Burmese and African rock pythons, two of the world’s largest species of snakes.

During the hearing, Rep. Thomas Rooney explained that pythons “pose a real threat to human safety.” Republican Rep. Lamar Smith praised the bill as a bipartisan effort.

Not surprisingly, the pet industry and their lobbyists in Washington, D.C. are working hard to weaken H.R. 2811. One change that they’d like to see is an exemption allowing the interstate trade in captive-bred pythons to continue. If approved, this would seriously undercut the purpose of the legislation.

On July 1 in Sumter County a Burmese python kept inside a home as a pet escaped from a glass aquarium and strangled to death a 2-year-old girl. It’s not known if the snake in this tragic incident was captive-bred in Florida or arrived from outside the state. And it doesn’t matter. The best way to prevent similar incidents would be to freeze the commercial trade in pythons, regardless of their origin. (If anything, the bill should be expanded to prohibit trade in anacondas, Nile monitors and other giant reptiles that pose dangers equal to Burmese pythons.)

You Can Help
After Congress’ August recess, H.R. 2811 will be heard on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Please contact the following two bill sponsors and thank them for their leadership on this important issue, but urge them not to weaken H.R. 2811 by allowing Burmese and African rock pythons to be sold across state lines.

Contact:

Congressman Kendrick B. Meek
1039 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4506
Fax: (202) 226-0777

Congressman Thomas J. Rooney
1529 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5792
Fax: (202) 225-3132

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