Pittsburgh ordinance would ban ownership of crocodiles, alligators and turtles
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Pittsburgh, which has more than its share of pet alligators roaming loose, is moving to ban the sale and ownership of the reptiles in the city.
City Councilman Bruce Kraus on Tuesday introduced a bill that would repeal an ordinance passed by council late last year that permitted but regulated ownership of crocodiles, alligators and venomous snakes.
Former Councilwoman Darlene Harris, a staunch animal advocate who lost her seat in last year’s primary election, introduced the animal ordinance as one of her last acts on council. She introduced the bill after at least four alligators were found walking in city neighborhoods and along the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers.
Kraus said two animal support organizations —Humane Action Pittsburgh and Humane Animal Rescue — considered the existing ordinance inhumane because it permits residents to own reptiles so long as they are kept in escape-proof containers, among other things. The groups worked together to craft the bill, Kraus said.
“The bill, as it was originally put forward, was that you could own the alligator or turtle as long as you kept it trapped in a box, which was the main opposition that Humane Action Pittsburgh had with the bill. I would have to agree,” Kraus said. “It’s an inhumane way to permit the animal to be owned.”
The legislation would ban residents and businesses from owning, selling, exchanging or adopting crocodiles, alligators and turtles. The original animal bill did not address turtles. The new animal bill would eliminate regulations pertaining to snakes.
Violators would be subject to a $1,000 fine for each violation and possible imprisonment.
Residents who have owned the animals for at least six months would be exempt as long as they are at least 21 years old, have liability insurance totaling at least $1 million, pay the city a registration fee and notify the city within 24 hours if an animal escapes. The bill would also exempt veterinarians, animal rescue facilities and institutions such as zoos and universities.
Natalie Ahwesh, vice president of Humane Action Pittsburgh, said the animals in question are most often released by their owners as they grow large.
“Those were the three types that were recommended because of the inability to own them humanely and the numbers that we’re seeing abandoned,” she said of crocodiles, alligators and turtles.
She said snakes were eliminated because it’s not inhumane to have them as pets.
“I don’t think it’s inherently inhumane to have a pet snake, but it is inherently inhumane to have a crocodile or alligator in our climate,” she said.
At least four alligators — ranging in size from 2.5 feet to 5 feet long — were captured between May and October along the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers and streets in Beechview and Carrick. As of October, at least seven gators had been dropped off at Humane Animal Rescue’s East End location.
Humane Animal Rescue could not immediately be reached for comment.
Kraus also introduced a bill Tuesday to amend an existing ordinance regarding the capture of wild birds in the city.
Kraus said the new bird bill better defines what birds are covered and clearly outlines that only city Animal Care & Control officers, licensed veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators, people with permits, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission are permitted to trap them.
He said people were trapping pigeons and using them in live bird shoots.
“Some of the things we were running into was when these cases would actually go to court the judges would throw them out because they weren’t clearly defined,” he said. “The bill on the wild birds (provides) a better definition of what a wild bird is and who actually is permitted to trap a wild bird.”