Iowa Goes Hog Wild Over Exotic Pets!!!

So what are the two remaining hold out states with no ban on exotic pets?

Brian,

I believe that Massachusetts and North Carolina join Iowa (for the moment) with this dubious or honored (depending on your viewpoint) distinction.

Lucky :)

Lucky, Cool post!! Years ago when I lived on the farm a neighbor nearby had a pet lion cool huh? until the DNR found a whole shed full of deer that he was feeding the lion. Needless to say he went to jail and the lion went to the zoo. He was pouching the deer at night on his combine, tractors etc. the DNR confiscated his heavy machinery, guns, property and everything. Oh Well...what do you say to that? Wild huh!!

Good Day!! have a cup of java and a smile on me :)

Duayne,

Deer in Iowa are like big, fast rats that jump really high and usually in front of your vehicle.  We have to hold extra hunts to thin them out because they are such a hazard.

Sounds like the poor guy was trying to keep his "kitty" fed.  What's wrong with that?

Lucky :)

So who really determines what "exotic" means?  Some snakes are exotic, so are they going to limit the types of snakes people can have as pets (though I would NEVER even consider having one in my house)? 

Big Brother decides for you.  If a few people yell loud enough, there will be enough politicians who hear and will create a new law just to protect you.  Isn't that nice of them?

Lucky :)

Lucky: Here in your neighbor to the north, laws, even those that seem ill conceived, are enacted after a period of public testimony, where the proponents, and those opposed, have their chance to weigh in. Moreover, we all have someone representing us involved in the process and we have the opportunity to let that individual know our opinion on the legislation.

I know personally my city council member, my state representative and senator, and have communicated with my US representative and both senators. I don’t always like the ordinances, statutes & laws enacted—but at least I’ve had my say.

I LIKE crocagators (or is it Aladials?), just not in my yard!

Jay

Jay,

I don't like them in my yard either.  I don't have a pooper-scooper that big! 

I know each of my legislators personally as well and as we all should.  Doesn't mean that they vote as we would and when it passes the level of my tolerance, I exercise my right and vote for someone else. 

As for the big 10 cent words you threw out, wow, I'm impressed!

So let the record state that Jay is a NIMBY!

(Not In My Back Yard)

Have a great one!

Lucky :)

Mark,

Thanks for your perspective on this.

BTW, what is a Muntjac Deer?

Lucky :)

Hi, Lucky!  Your hamster drew my eye!  I have a "grandhamster", he belongs to my younger daughter "Little One". (I don't put the kids names online if I can help it, I try to limit the crazies to noticing ME.)  We bought Frisky a new wheel yesterday.  This was wheel #4.  The first was too loud.  The second hurt his little feet, we assume, because he refused to use it.  The third just looked too small.  He is very happy with wheel #4 and I am a happy Grandma.  We also have dogs, cats, fish and a hermit crab, but that rodent is so cuuute!

I added in no way to the discussion.  Just wanted to stop in and say hi!  Hi!

Sarah,

Of course you added to the discussion!  You always add a smile to my face with your comments.  Stop by anytime!

I used to have a pet squirrel named "Frisky" when I was a kid.  My brother had a snake a couple of times, a raccoon (until it became too unruly), turtles, a few rabbits and birds that we nursed back to health after injuries or abandonment, and various dogs and cats.

Today, we just have two dogs.

They are our children now! 

Thanks,

Lucky :)

WOW, your dogs have a great view!!  And they're beautiful dogs, too! 

Oooh, a pet SQUIRREL!!  When Lysa Napolitano asked us what animal toten we had, then explained how to know which yours was, the only one that came to mind was squirrels.  She thought that couldn't be right.  If I have an animal totem, why not a squirrel?  They're cute, they have lots of energy and they make people happy.  I could go for a little of that!

Sarah,

We live in a villa now, but the picture above was taken from our previous residence that we are close to putting on the market.  There is a spectacular view of the Mississippi River from this property!  And lots of squirrels, too!

What do you think about our eagle?

He still has the great view!

Lucky :)

Lucky, lions and tigers and bears...OH MY! Thank heavens Iowa is addressing this issue. Let's keep those animals in their natural habitat or at least in zoos!!

Gena,

Some people think that our two dogs are small elephants.  At 75 and 85 pounds, when they pounce on your bare feet you'd think they were!

Take care!

Lucky :)

Someone commented:

"So who really determines what "exotic" means?"

If "exo" means outside and "tic" means muscle twitch or spasm, then technically anyone or anything that has a muscle twitch or spasm outside would be considered exotic.

On a serious note, sounds like too much regulating going on.  Good for Iowa being one of the last holdouts.  Eudora has a law that no pitbulls are allowed.  My son has a pit bull that plays with the grandkids when they come over (we live in Lawrence--not Eudora any more).  Rather than outlawing pit bulls or in your blog scenario, exotic animals, just have there be consequences if the exotic animals attack someone.

This is almost like outlawing driving all cars because a few drivers run red lights and cause accidents.

Older brother Rob.

Rob,

Good analogy.

Lucky :)