Owning hedgehogs in illegal states

[paris26]

Please take a moment to read the debate rules:
http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21748

Let the "conversation" begin!

Why do or don't you support owning hedgies in illegal states?

[kaiteedyd]

I am of the opinion if you live in an area that doesn't actively pursue illegal animals and you are very careful (i.e. have a vet, keep the fact you have illegal pet to yourself, etc.) I don't really have a problem with the ownership of certain illegal pets. Hedgehogs, ferrets and such I'm fine with.

Tigers and lion on the other hand I do not think should be owned by the general public and I do not encourage the illegal ownership of these types of animals.

[paris26]

I do not support the idea of owning animals that are illegal at all! Why risk a fine and removal and possible destruction of your pet? Granted there are states that are more vigilant than others in enforcing these laws. I've read numerous stories about hedgies being euthanized because they were not legal in some states. Colorado and New York used to be completely hedgehog illegal, and after successful campaigning and petioning, these bans were lifted in some areas of those states LEGALLY!

I say a responsible pet owner is the one who does their homework on their chosen pets on all matters from legality to care.

[Super Chin]

I agree with Paris26. For example, I live in Fairfax County where hedgehogs are illegal. So instead of taking the easy way out and getting a hog anyway, I have spent six months trying to get the law changed. Soon it will be changed, and I will have the comfort of knowing I have nothing to worry about. Taking the risk of your animal being killed because it was illegal doesn't seem like a smart risk to take. Sure you may be fine. Who knows, nothing may happen. But what if one day an animal control officer knocks on your door to confiscate your pet. What would you do? Say, "well, the law doesn't make since" Sorry, but that won't cut it. Be responsible. Don't let your bad decisions hurt an animal.

Just my .2 cents

[kaiteedyd]

OH I totally applaude you and so impressed with you for what you're doing in Fairfax. I hope and pray you win.

I'm just saying that if you're going to own an illegal pet and you do it in such a way that you're extremely unlikely to get caught I'm not going to be angry with you.

I have no patience for ridiculous laws, which increases my apathy for these anti-hedgehog laws.

If you live in PA for example, I would be extremely disturbed if you owned a hedgehog based on the history of that state.

But if you own a small animal that stays in your home, chances are nobody will ever know you have it unless you tell people. If hedgehogs were animals that needed to be outside and in the public my opinion would be much different.

[paris26]

That is commendable Super Chin! :applause: I wish I could sign your petition

[Super Chin]

I understand what you are saying Kaiteedyd, I just don't completely agree with it. But hey, that's what the debate section is for! :)
If I had to (for whatever reason) own a pet in an illegal area, I would make sure no one found out. I wouldn't post about it, wouldn't talk about, wouldn't even tell my best friend. Posting on a big message board that you have a hedgehog where they are illegal doesn't show common sense.

Just .2 more cents!

Edit-Thanks Paris. There actually is no petition. I am just in the process of convincing the Supervisors to agree with me. :) 4 down, 2 to go! :applause:

[Megan.]

I'm going to go out on a limb here. Before the LAW in PA came into affect, I aquirred a hedgehog named Missy from a local petstore. She was about 1-2 years old at the time, and was no longer wanted. The petstore knowing that I had wanted a hog for a very long time, had sold her to me. Unfortantly while I had her, and after I aqquired a friend for her the whole ordeal with PA broke out. I almost completly stopped talking about having the hedgehogs period, stopped posting about them on boards, and mostly stopped posting in hedghog sections period. I had a vet who did NOT agree with the law at all, and said if anything would happen she would treat the hogs without anyone knowing.

I was able to keep the hogs, without being caught. My vet also stayed true to her word. Missy was treated, but unfortantly put down when the vet and myself decided her quality of life was no longer good. I would NOT suggest people do this, and DO NOT agree with people now taking in hedgehogs in PA. It's just too risky, unless you have an understanding vet, and are willing to NOT brag about the pets you love and care about to forum members and friends. IT's not worth the risk of people finding out.

If I could do it over again would i keep my girls? Most likely. They brought alot of joy to my life, and if I had the same vet I think I would do it over again. Would I aqquire a hedgehog now? Never. It's too risky.

When I had the girls, the only people who knew about them were family I trusted, and the few friends who knew about them before the law changed...as well as a few forum members who I trusted very much. When people I weren't sure about asked about them, I had told them they were given away to an out of state home.

[kaiteedyd]

I understand what you are saying Kaiteedyd, I just don't completely agree with it. But hey, that's what the debate section is for! :)
If I had to (for whatever reason) own a pet in an illegal area, I would make sure no one found out. I wouldn't post about it, wouldn't talk about, wouldn't even tell my best friend. Posting on a big message board that you have a hedgehog where they are illegal doesn't show common sense.

Just .2 more cents!

Edit-Thanks Paris. There actually is no petition. I am just in the process of convincing the Supervisors to agree with me. :) 4 down, 2 to go! :applause:

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.

[glamgal]

I think in Megan's case I would have probably made the same decision...(the vet being a big factor to make the decision to keep them)...but I also agree that I would NEVER acquire a pet in a state where it was illegal...I think the best way to deal with it is the way SuperChin (lol, I think that's who it is) is dealing with it, and get the laws changed if you don't like the laws!!

I do think they're unnecessary laws in alot of cases, but that doesn't mean I feel like I should disregard them and place an animal in danger just because of my own selfish desire to own a certain pet.

I also agree with Katieedyd that there are some certain animals that should not be legal to own for anyone in any state! Tigers and lions are definitely great examples...but there are others too...