As wild pet ban dies, state declares exotic animal amnesty

Legislation that would have banned a long list of wild and potentially dangerous animals as pets has failed in the General Assembly this year because lawmakers from Litchfield County want to protect a family-owned farm that has several elephants.

[david french]

As usual our state legislators are not the smartest people in the room. Ban all exotic animals in areas over a certain population density, that will allow people who run a business in a rural area to keep working like the Commerfords. Also in your story you might explain who 'grandfathered' the chimp in Stamford as a local celebrity. Specifically their name as the chimp attacked a police officer 5 years ago. It probably had more to do with city towing contracts than anything.

[Jewel]

I am baffled as to the continued willingness of the lawmakers from Goshen to protect Commerford's operation. The man has a list of USDA cited Animal Welfare Act violations as long as my arm. I would like to hear from one lawmaker who sees those elephants outside, ever (except when they are at a fair, being used to give rides!). The fencing around the place would not hold an elephant,. Nor have I ever spoken with anyone who has ever seen them outside. Those poor animals lead pathetic lives, and I wonder what it is that makes these lawmakers think this family should ever get another elephant. Disgusting.

[Frijoles]

Jewel wrote:

I am baffled as to the continued willingness of the lawmakers from Goshen to protect Commerford's operation. The man has a list of USDA cited Animal Welfare Act violations as long as my arm. I would like to hear from one lawmaker who sees those elephants outside, ever (except when they are at a fair, being used to give rides!). The fencing around the place would not hold an elephant,. Nor have I ever spoken with anyone who has ever seen them outside. Those poor animals lead pathetic lives, and I wonder what it is that makes these lawmakers think this family should ever get another elephant. Disgusting.

If that is the case, send a copy of the violations to the press, as well as to the legislators. Unless you go public, no one will ever care.

[LOL]

What I would like to know is why this is such a big deal. As far as I can see the woman who owns the chimp a called her friend to help her with her chimp. The friend did this before and knew the chimp had some issues. She assumed the risk by going over there to begin with. I really don't feel sorry for her. If someone would have told the owner that her chimp is her prolem, it might have had a new home a long time ago. This is just a waste of time, all because of one person getting attacked. Banning tarantulas and scorpions? We have had no problems with them in this state, ever. They cannot breed here if they got out. Many of these bills are masterbatory at their very best. You can not stop someone from doing something, you can only punish them after the next accident. All this posturing is just lawmakers attempting to look like they are actually trying to do something. And what does the zoo plan on doing with all the animals from amnesty day? They can barely afford to keep the doors open. How many peole are going to show up if they thing the animal is going to be killed? George Dancho needs to look into his own staff's pets before he starts throwing stones. One of he ran a reptile show that was kept in gross conditions at a pet shop in West Haven (Slither and Swim, I've gone there more than once to find dead reptiles for sale). The big snakes were always crawling in their own feces. Which brings me to my point, if the state can't keep up after the shops, how are they going to enforce this? Find a better way to spend our time and money Connecticut!!! We have actual homeless people to deal with, people that this country owes the greatest debit to. Why isn't THAT on the front page?

[From Queens]

Jewel: it all about money

[tylaro7]

i think people should have some paper to have those animals in the house.