Quote:
Originally Posted by hviola  If gerbils and hamsters could potentially become invasive, wouldn't you think they would have already done so? Probably millions have escaped their cages/homes over the last 50 years.
I can understand banning certain species, but to go to the point where pet shops would have to close down is ridiculous.
I am a gerbil owner, and also my son owns a giant African millipede. I am also a big fan of Betta fish, and have owned many throughout my life. I was recently thinking about getting one. I better make sure I get one in the next 10 days just in case. |
My daughter had 2 African millipedes for a long time. (Legs and Corduroy). Talk about some cool pets! Actually, being referred to as "African" millipedes is a bit misleading--they are actually indigenous to several parts of the world...including the eastern US.
As far as gerbils and Beta fish and getting to the point that pet shops would have to close down, doubt that's going to happen. Like you said, those 'pets' have been around for a while. I believe this is geared more towards a ban strictly towards a very different kind of potentially harmful species...read carefully what the proposed act states:
does not include any cat (Felis catus),
8 cattle or oxen (Bos taurus), chicken (Gallus
9 gallus domesticus), dog (Canis lupus familiaris),
10 donkey or ass (Equus asinus), domesticated
11 members of the family Anatidae (geese), duck
12 (domesticated Anas spp.), goat (Capra aegagrus
13 hircus), goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus),
14 horse (Equus caballus), llama (Lama glama),
15 mule or hinny (Equus caballus x E. asinus), pig
16 or hog (Sus scrofa domestica), domesticated varieties of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), or
18 sheep (Ovis aries), or any other species or variety of species that is determined by the Secretary to be common and clearly domesticated.
Wouldn't you think gerbils and hamsters and beta fish and cockateils and the likes are considered "common and clearly domesticated?"