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​Oppose the Ban

The proposed ban opened for public commentary on September 18, 2019 and is sponsored
by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.  The objective of this effort is the imposition of a complete ban on all exotic species.  The regulation the Department is using in order to remove all rights & liberties New York State residents have to their own privately owned animals is cited by 6 NYCRR 180.1 - also called the "Dangerous Wildlife" Law.   However, the Department already imposes this proposed rule with specific people for personal or political reasons.  Such a premature imposition of a rule which is clearly abusive to the rights and liberties of the populace should be reason enough to refuse the adoption of this regulation.  This Department needs a moratorium placed on their ability to create legislation and modify rules and regulations pertaining to the wildlife & exotic animal industry.  It also needs strict oversight and staff changes as well as a whole new appreciation for & dedication to the people who sustain the Department and its activities - New York State residents. 

PRESENTATION:   ​
​"What Makes an Animal Species Dangerous? 
​Documents Filed with the ARRC
Agency Documents
Public Education:
PRESENTATION: 
​"The Matter In Its True Context"
Miscellaneous Links:
https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/part180regimpact.pdf or here. 
https://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html#public or here.       
Commentary on the Documents Submitted by the Agency:

The NYSDEC provided only a couple of pages of animal species which would be covered by the fully amended Dangerous Animal Law.

However, if one extends the hierarchical structure of the outline in which each Order and Family are mentioned in the full text of the amendment, you will find there are far more species covered by the restriction of this amendment than you may have previously thought.  Of the 24 pages of the actual species this Department will ban from ownership and possession, there are a plethora of reptiles and primates listed.  There are also a considerable number of mammals, especially those in the felid and canid families which have been entirely banned, according to the current "Dangerous Wildlife" Law and will also continue in the amended version of the law making it highly prejudicial against the species of felid, canid and primates.  Yet, there is virtually no documented evidence of injury or fatality for at least 90% of the animals listed under those three Orders.
  • *Of the 233 species of primates, the Department will ban all 233 species. 
  • *Of the 36 species of felids (Felidae family), 35 species would be banned
  • Of the 36 species of canids (Canidae family), 35 species would be banned.
  • Of the 9 species of bear (Ursidae family), all 9 species would be banned.
  • Of the 375 species of venomous snakes, all species would be banned, even though very few of the venomous snakes are harmful to humans.  According to worldatlas.com, there are between 3,000 and 3,700 known species of snakes in the world. There are about 375 species of venomous snakes and only a small proportion are harmful to humans.  However, the Department deems them to be "dangerous".   (Jan 7, 2019)
  • Likewise, other families of animals such as Crocodylidae, will also be entirely banned from private possession.  ​

THIS IS INTENDED TO BE A TOTAL BAN ON PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF ALL EXOTIC ANIMALS, NOT A MEANS OF PROTECTING THE PUBLIC AND INDIGENOUS WILDLIFE AND ECOSYSTEMS! ​
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The following is the complete list (on the reader's left) as contained in the state agricultural law referenced by DEC's code vs. DEC's list located in the full text of the proposal and located on the reader's right. 
The yellow text above have species which will be banned by the amendment.  Those lines highlighted in other colors represent species which have not yet been determined to be banned or not.  The Department needs to clear that up before this rule is adopted.  ​
please send all written public comments to the 
Administrative Regulations Review Committee ("ARRC")
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12247