|
Re: Herps you don't think should be kept as pets?
This thread also begs the question/debate of rights vs privileges.
Since when did it become established that people felt they were entitled to own or possess any animal they please? [see various definitions for the word "right" (noun)]
Versus a privilege, which in reality, is what this is. We got this, free of charge, decades ago, but now, we've done a piss-poor job of maintaining it, and slowly, we're are getting these privileges taken away [Ex: take any recent state or federal legislative action against the possession of exotic pets or reptiles specifically].
Bottom line: you have a right to free speech, to an education, to food, water, shelter, to reproduce, to proper housing, to vote, to freedom (as opposed to slavery), etc. and so on. These are amenities and civil rights as a sentient being in a free world.
Everything else, such as cars (or specifically the license to operate one), guns, or pets, are luxuries. You do not require them to survive, and the first two, if not used properly, are (obviously) hazardous. Thus, a licensing system is in place, and if you abuse the privilege of owning and operating one, you get the privilege revoked (among other things).
It only stands to reason that owning and caring for a large and/or venomous animal should require a licensing system as well. Not only if you do not maintain the animal properly, there is a welfare issue to be considered, but if the animal is not securely contained or handled properly, there is again, a risk of hazard. If you abuse the privilege, and you or another human being (or someone else's pet) gets injured or killed by your animal, then your privilege should be revoked.
This is why this is touchy topic, but this is my opinion. Its that simple. Its doesn't take much to get a driver's license, or a gun permit, or a hunter's license, or boater's license, etc.....but you mess up, you lose it and pay the consequences and become another statistic. It should be no different for croc, hots or giant snakes.
|
Threaded Mode