Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s publication of a proposed rule to list nine species of large constrictor snakes as “injurious.” This would prohibit importation and interstate transportation of the snakes as pets.
“Our thanks to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and the leaders of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for moving forward to restrict the trade in giant constrictor snakes as pets. The proposed regulations will curb the cruelty and harmful ecological consequences associated with the trade in nonnative, large constrictor snakes. These animals in private hands also pose a public safety threat. The Humane Society of the United States urges swift implementation of the final rule.”
The agency is accepting comments from the public for the next 60 days.