NECESSITY OF LAWS REGULATING EXOTIC ANIMALS IN ERATH COUNTYA PROJECT/ RESEARCH PROPOSAL BY:

Sheridan Mulkey, Maranda McGonigle, Fabricio Berlanga, and Sarah McCann

Executive Summary The purpose of this proposal is to

introduce the issue of exotic animal possession. This proposal is intended to encourage the implementation of public education programs and new laws to regulate the possession and sale/trade of exotic animals in Erath County.

Background What are exotic animals?

› Domestic animal as defined by Merriam Webster: any of various animals (as the horse or sheep) domesticated so as to live and breed in a tame condition.

› An exotic animal is any animal that has not been domesticated through many generation of selective breeding that enhances desirable traits such as docility, mild temperament, and trainability.

› Exotic animals can include many different species.

Background Why is owning exotics an issue?

› Are dangerous› Carry diseases› Require special attention

Feeding Upkeep

› Harmful to ecosystem

Background What laws are already in place? Nationally

› U.S. Fish and Game Migratory Bird Office

State› Texas Parks and Wildlife

Local

Objectives What do we want to do?

› Create Public Education Programs Provide the general public of Erath County

new education programs that raise awareness about the dangers/ risks of exotic animal ownership

› Improve/Implement Exotic Animal Law Make it harder to own/sell/trade exotics.

Benefits How will this better the issue? To Erath County Government:

› The implementation of new exotic animal regulations and public education programs will create a safer environment for the county population. The safer environment will include a lesser chance of diseases such as salmonella, the spread of nonnative species, and less use of the black market or illegal pet trade.

To Public:› After participation in education programs the public will

have gained a new knowledge To exotic animals

› Safety, less abuse cases, stay in natural environment

Deliverables How are we going to make the

changes? Work with the Erath County Begin raising awareness and inform the

public

Screech OwlYellow Crowned Night Heron

Screech Owl

Road RunnerBirds of Prey

Bearded Dragon

Iguana Savanna

MonitorReptilesRed Eared Slider

Corn SnakeRed tail boa

Chinchilla

Blue and Gold Macaw

Military Macaw

Ferret

Others

Sources "16 of the World's Most Sought After Exotic Pets." The Pets Central.

Pets Central, 16 Apr. 2008. Web. 20 Nov. 2012. <http://www.thepetscentral.com/pets/worlds-most-exotic-pets/>.

David, Ruth. "Popular Exotic Pets." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 5 Oct. 2006. Web. 20 Nov. 2012. <http://www.forbes.com/2006/05/09/dangerous-exotic-pets_cx_rd_0510exotics.html>.

McGrath, Jane. "How Animal Domestication Works." HowStuffWorks. Discovery, n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/zoology/all-about-animals/animal-domestication.htm>.

Newman, Andy. "Pet Chimpanzee Attacks Woman in Connecticut." The New York Times. The New York Times, 17 Feb. 2009. Web. 20 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/world/americas/17iht-chimp.1.20241928.html?_r=0>.