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News > August 2009 > Support
HR 2811 House Bill Amendment to Ban Pythons
 Support
HR 2811 House Bill Amendment to Ban Pythons
by Angela Grimes, Executive Director
A U.S. House of Representatives bill
amendment is under consideration in the Judiciary Committee
that would add python constrictor snakes to the list of injurious
animals. The passing of this amendment as it is currently
written would severely cripple the breeding and sale of these
reptiles in the pet trade and end the needless suffering they
endure. Please call or write to your Representative and let
him or her know that you support the amendment as is and that
you wish to see them vote YES on HR 2811.
Wild animals do not belong in the pet trade
or in private hands. All wild animals deserve to live their
lives as nature intended. Wild reptiles who are either bred
in captivity or who are captured from the wild and held captive
all too often suffer malnourishment and often have infections
due to improper care and housing. They can suffer every fate
from being denied sunlight to being forced to live in tiny
aquariums. The snakes WRR has rescued from the pet trade have
often been cruelly housed in extremely dry conditions, causing
them to have difficulty shedding their skins and to develop
other serious health issues, including upper respiratory infections.
It is common for snakes who are forced to live as captives
to become depressed and stop eating.
Reptile breeders and dealers who, for their
own financial gain, exploit these animals are lobbying hard
to make changes to this amendment, and they already have the
ear of the Judiciary Committee, which has pledged to listen
to their concerns about changing the amendment during this
summer congressional break. Our Representatives must hear
from those who care about the welfare of animals.
Call and Write Today!
HR2811 Sponsor and Key Members:
Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL), Sponsor
Washington, DC – Phone: (202) 225-4506;
Fax: (202) 226-0777
Miami – Phone: (305) 690-5905; Fax: (305)
690-5951
Congressman Tom Rooney (R-FL)
Washington, DC – Phone: (202) 225-5792;
Fax: (202) 225-3132
Punta Gorda – Phone: (941) 575-9101;
Fax: (941) 575-9103
Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL)
Washington, DC – Phone: (202) 225-3001;
Fax: (202) 225-5974
Boca Raton – Phone: (561) 988-6302; Fax:
(561) 988-6423
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)
Washington, DC – Phone: (202) 225-7931;
Fax: (202) 226-2052
Pembroke Pines – Phone: (954) 437-3936;
Fax: (954) 437-4776
Congressman John Conyers (D-MI), Committee
Chair
Washington, DC – Phone: (202) 225-5126;
Fax: (202) 225-0072
Detroit – Phone: (313) 961-5670; Fax:
(313) 226-2085
E-mail: john.conyers@mail.house.gov
Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX), Ranking Member
Washington, DC – Phone: (202) 225-4236;
Fax: (202) 225-8628
San Antonio – Phone: (210) 821-5024;
Fax: (210) 821-5947
Congressman Howard L. Berman (D-CA)
Washington, DC – Phone: (202) 225-4695;
Fax: (202) 225-3196
Van Nuys – Phone: (818) 994-7200; Fax:
(818) 994-1050
Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA)
Washington, DC – Phone: (202) 225-3861;
Fax: (202) 225-0442
Congressman Howard Coble (R-NC)
Washington, DC – Phone: (202) 225-3065;
Fax: (202) 225-8611
Greensboro – Phone: (336) 333-5005; Fax:
(336) 333-5048
Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA)
Washington, DC – Phone: (202) 225-6365;
Fax: (202) 226-1170
Chesapeake – Phone: (757) 382-0080; Fax:
(757) 382-0780
Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ)
Washington, DC – Phone: (202) 225-4576;
Fax: (202) 225-6328
Glendale – Phone: (623) 776-7911; Fax:
(623) 776-7832
Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-CA)
Washington, DC – Phone: (202) 225-5811;
Fax: (202) 225-1100
Thousand Oaks – Phone: (805) 497-2224;
Toll Free: (800) 423-0023; Fax: (805) 497-0039
Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)
Washington, DC – Phone: (202) 225-5635
New York – Phone: (212) 367-7350
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