Thursday, February 18, 2010

Arizona HB 2375 - Dangerous Animal Bill

Sponsored by: Chad Campbell, Cloves Campbell, Kyrsten Sinema, Nancy Young Wright, Edward Ableser

The title of this bill sounds good, doesn't it? But, let's take alook at the "dangerous wildlife" that "A person shall not import or transport into the this state, or sell, trade or release within thethis state or have in his possession possess any live wildlife exceptas authorized by the commission, as provided by section 17-321 or asdefined in title 3, chapter 16."

* All species of the order carnivora. Common names include:carnivores, skunks, raccoons, bears, foxes and weasels. What this bill doesn't point out is that the order carnivora INCLUDES ALL DOGS AND CATS!

* The family bovidae - which includes GOATS, SHEEP AND COWS but has an exemption for water buffalo! Although what makes a water buffalo less dangerous than a cow I can't imagine. This bill would instantly put all the cattle, sheep and dairy farmers out of business in the state.

* Quail, turtles, grouse, fish and practically every mammal and non-mammal a person could think of having as a pet are listed as"dangerous."

I don't know what's more frightening: The fact that these representatives didn't understand the bill sponsored. Or the fact that they understand it completely and hope the citizens of Arizona don't understand it.