Owning hedgehogs in illegal states

[TheChinClique]

Well, I don't know how the laws are inforced in other states where hedgies (as well as other animals) are illegal, but in Pennsylvania, if you are found in "violation" (however the Pennsylvania Game Commission or PGC wants to bend the law, depends on how badly you are in "violation"), your animals are ALWAYS confiscated, you are almost ALWAYS fined, and usually, your animals will be killed "for the good of everyone". If they are not killed? They are "taken care of" by people who are not experts, and who have never dealt with many of these specific species before, so they end of dying a slow more horriffic death because of poor care under the hands of the PGC. I am sure by now you catch the drift of how I feel about hiding a hedgehog illegally, even if it IS better for the hog, it is so dangerous, I don't know if I could handle the fear of my baby being confiscated and killed.

http://pgchallofshame.com/stories/page4.htm

-Andrea

[PrettyHate]

To be short and to the point- I think it is very selfish of someone to own an animal in a place where it is illegal. Even if this animal is loved and spoiled like rotten, that doesnt make up for what may happen to it if you are caught. The person that owns the animal may be the perfect animal parent- I dont believe that owning an illegal animal makes you a BAD parent (animal parent that is) or a BAD person- but I do think that it makes you a very irresponsible one.

[kaiteedyd]

Well, I don't know how the laws are inforced in other states where hedgies (as well as other animals) are illegal, but in Pennsylvania, if you are found in "violation" (however the Pennsylvania Game Commission or PGC wants to bend the law, depends on how badly you are in "violation"), your animals are ALWAYS confiscated, you are almost ALWAYS fined, and usually, your animals will be killed "for the good of everyone". If they are not killed? They are "taken care of" by people who are not experts, and who have never dealt with many of these specific species before, so they end of dying a slow more horriffic death because of poor care under the hands of the PGC. I am sure by now you catch the drift of how I feel about hiding a hedgehog illegally, even if it IS better for the hog, it is so dangerous, I don't know if I could handle the fear of my baby being confiscated and killed.

http://pgchallofshame.com/stories/page4.htm

-Andrea

Why is PA in such disarray? Is that petition resolving anything? Perhaps the residents of PA should contact their senators and governor and make a big stink.

[Super Chin]

I just wanted to mention that I'm going to be in Springfield in June :) my brothers graduating from highschool so I'm going for a little visit.

Cool! When you you be here? I'll be in North Carolina from the 4th-11th. :) Hopefully by then I'll have my hedgehog!!! :D

Edited to stay on topic- I also wonder why PA has so many restricting laws. Maybe the government was mis-informed about a number of species, cauing them to make strict laws against them... :confused:

[Megan.]

Andrea, I believe when hedgehogs are taken, there are several rescue groups that are willing to adopt out the hedgehogs from PA, and take them off PA's hands. At first, they weren't given a chance...but it seems more and more rescues , or actual good people are taking them out of peoples hands in PA. Which is an awesome thing :)

[HedgieSpirit]

I do not support it. It just seems to me that any loving pet owner would not want to jeapordize the life of their beloved pet just to fulfill their own selfish want. Yes, some poeple get away with it, but others don't. Yes, some can be rescued and rehomed when caught, but not all are. So, there is always a chance that your animal will be killed. Why risk it?

Rather than endangering the life of an animal, there are more productive ways to fight the law. Such as, trying to get the law changed. In many cases the reason why these animals are illegal are stupid and pointless, so help to change it!

Lastly, if you do own a hedgehog in an illegal state, I don't think you should openly brag about it. I think that people who do just want attention and not the welfare and happiness of their animals. If you have an illegal hedgehog okay, fine. You may participate in the threads on this forum quite easily WITHOUT letting anyone know where you are from. Bragging that you are breaking the law does not impress most people and only puts your animals in danger.

JMO

[Megan.]

Carolyn,

If you are talking about me "bragging" about having illegal hedgehogs, re-read my thread. You will see my hedgehogs are talked about in past tense, not present tense. I am no way, shape or form bragging about owning them. Nor am I suggesting others do what I did in the past. If I was bragging about it, you'd see tons of cute pictures, posts, stories, ect while I had hedgehogs. If you look at my past threads, most of my threads were posted before, or just as the ban was starting.

If people think I'm irresponsible for what I did- I really don't care. Maybe it wasn't the best thing at the time, but it worked out for me, and my girls.. I also had a person who was willing at any time to come take my hedgehogs if the need arose. Thankfully, that never had to happen.

Am I bragging about it? Nope. If I was you would see "I did it no problem, I think anyone should do it like I did! I was the best illegal hedgehog owner in the whole word!!" I'm not doing that, am I?

[HedgieSpirit]

Carolyn,

If you are talking about me "bragging" about having illegal hedgehogs, re-read my thread. You will see my hedgehogs are talked about in past tense, not present tense. I am no way, shape or form bragging about owning them. Nor am I suggesting others do what I did in the past. If I was bragging about it, you'd see tons of cute pictures, posts, stories, ect while I had hedgehogs. If you look at my past threads, most of my threads were posted before, or just as the ban was starting.

If people think I'm irresponsible for what I did- I really don't care. Maybe it wasn't the best thing at the time, but it worked out for me, and my girls.. I also had a person who was willing at any time to come take my hedgehogs if the need arose. Thankfully, that never had to happen.

Am I bragging about it? Nope. If I was you would see "I did it no problem, I think anyone should do it like I did! I was the best illegal hedgehog owner in the whole word!!" I'm not doing that, am I?

No, no, no! I'm not aiming it you at all. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I would have done the same as you in that situation. I was talking more along the lines of owners who obtain hedgies while the law was firmly in place.

[HedgePigLove]

The following information is from the California Domestic Ferret Association (http://www.cdfa.org):

When a Fish & Game warden or a police officer knocks on your door, you do not have to allow them entry without a properly signed search warrant. This search warrant must show "probable cause" (for example, if your neighbor reported you, his name must appear on the search warrant).

If they have a search warrant that meets the above criteria, and they find domestic ferrets on your property or in your home, you have the right to make decisions regarding your pets transport out of state:

1. At your expense, you may choose to have them shipped to a permanent adoptive home of your choice, in one of the 48 other states that permits ownership.
2. You may choose, at your expense, to have them sent to one of the adoptive centers in a 'legal state', setup by us. Please be advised that your pet(s) will be placed in a carefully selected permanent adoptive home(s).
3. You may relinquish your ferret(s) to the CDFA for transport to the adoption center of our choosing, at our expense.
4. You may elect to have the confiscating officer handle the situation at his or her discretion. There is, however, no guarantee that your pet(s) will not be destroyed.

The CDFA is permited to transport ferrets out of the state of California, to a rescue in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is my understanding that a group of hedgehog lovers/advocates in the state are working to get a similar permit for hedgehog rescue and transport.

[TheChinClique]

Believe me, I have written to both the governer as well as a few congressmen. As far as I know, they either never read the letters or just don't care. Personally, I think that the men and women employed by the Pennsylvania Game Comission know absolutely nothing about exotic animals. And, it is almost impossible for those who want to own an exotic animal that is illegal here in PA to obtain a permit. You must have about 20 hours a week for 3-4 years hands on experience with the species that you want the permit for. Then, you have to get someone who already has a permit, and not any permit...it MUST be a menagerie permit, to write you a letter of reccommendation. Then, maybe...just MAYBE, they may allow you to obtain a permit. Unless, they feel like bending the rules some more in their favor, which God knows they have done more times than appropriate. If you go to http://www.sandysanimals.8m.com/ you can read the story of Sandy Reynolds, who was a victim of the obsceneity of the PGC. After this hit the news, many of my mom's friends who owned exotics that were illegal at the time immediately placed them in Ohio. I don't think anyone really realized the severity of the ignorance of the PGC until that moment. I believe that both of the Fennec Foxes were put down (one was pregnant). I wanted a Fennec Fox and so I called the PGC. The man told me "Those animals are horrid beasts who can never be domesticated. Most of them are rabid, and you might as well bet that you will have to put it down because of it's viciousness anyway". Well, after meeting a few Fennecs, I can tell you they are a little high strung, are almost never litter trained, and certainly are NOT dogs...they are also not these beasts that go around attacking everyone and everything. I almost wonder if this guy thought I wanted to go out to Egypt and catch a wild one and bring it back to PA or something. There are several petitions against the PGC at this time, and none of them are really moving anywhere. What the residents of PA want, is for the USDA to regulate exotics in this state. They know much more about it than men and women who specialize in animals such as geese and pigs. The laws here are unfair, and the people who regulate these laws are even more unfair. Sign petitions, write to the governer...it might do some good. However, it looks like we are getting nowhere fast at this point.

-Andrea

Why is PA in such disarray? Is that petition resolving anything? Perhaps the residents of PA should contact their senators and governor and make a big stink.