Here is the reply i have posted on several RI websites broadcasting this story. As an R.I. resident I felt obligated to respond.

Hopefully it does more good than harm, as I chose my words carefully. My comment about the size of balls, rosies and natives, maybe should be taken with a grain of salt, but it's to raise a point.

The person who got in trouble for snakes was in possession of venomous snakes. Laws already exist making venomous snakes illegal. The other snakes in his possession were not dangerous and none of the snakes had caused harm to any person and I do not recall reading anything about the animals not being properly cared for therefore human nor animal was in danger from the legal snakes. I believe they stated the remainder of the snakes would be returned to the owner, meaning there was nothing illegal about them.

For public knowledge boas, pythons, alligators and crocodiles are not venomous.

And a call to the pet owning public please stop doing stupid illegal things ruining it for the rest of us that obey the law.

I cannot recall the last time or anytime I turned on the news and saw a report of a person being attacked or shot by a snake on the streets in Rhode Island. Yet everyday people are shot on our streets, homes are invaded and we can still own guns. Way too often people are attacked and mauled by dogs, but people can still own them.

I personally have been bitten 3 times by dogs in the state of Rhode Island, but have yet to be attacked by a snake or alligator. I have a deep fear of dogs and rightly so. Every time I pass a dog I wonder if I will be bitten again.

Rhode Island recently passed laws requiring permits for large reptiles that are considered dangerous. Those laws do exactly what this senator is trying to accomplish, they keep dangerous reptiles out of the average persons hands. I have no problem with a person needing a permit to own a large python, boa, alligator or crocodile, especially when it's just for the cool factor or to watch them eat and if the state is doing their job permits won't be issued to people that cannot properly house and care for these large reptiles and in my opinion most people desiring these would not qualify to own them, all well and good. But no consideration is given to Ball Pythons and Rosy Boas, that would also be outlawed by this ban and have the reputation as the best pet snakes for their docile nature and small size (3'-4') (smaller than most snakes native to Rhode Island). Yes people we have lots of native snakes roaming our state. My dad easily finds half a dozen a year in his pool.

It frustrates me when people who have no education concerning these matters try to pass bills just because of political agenda trying to gain the spotlight. If this senator or one of his family members have been personally injured or attacked by one of these reptiles, then state that as a reason other than just because I think so.

Never mind the fact that the environment in the state of Rhode Island would never allow exotic reptiles to survive outside of captive environments for more than a few months in the summer each year. Yes all reptiles proposed in the ban are exotic coming from tropical environments.

The fact that there is no guideline set about for people who currently own these pets to be grandfathered in is kind of crazy. What is the sate going to do if they suddenly have hundreds and possibly thousands of pet snakes turned into the humane society? Kill them? Oh wait it is called euthanasia to be politically correct, but that cost money too. Or are people just expected to let them loose into the wild? What about about the pet shops that already have these animals in stock? Is the state going to spend hundreds or even thousands and possibly millions of dollars to go and police and fine these stores, never mind the lawsuits because yesterday they weren't illegal but today they are? This bill was obviously poorly constructed and short sited.

I have spent my life working with reptiles, amphibians and fish and have always done my best to properly educate people on the responsibility and care of these exotic animals that make interesting and rewarding pets.

Is this really something the state has time and money to spend on with all the problems we are having? What about people in the state that make a living and feed their families selling and breeding these smaller boas and pythons that currently require no permit? I guess there is always EBT and WIC.

I just don't understand how this is going to make things safer for people and animals. If anything I see it causing more harm from underground and illegal activities involving animals that should not be ban. This is an industry that has existed in this state and country for a long time, it would be like prohibition, which by the way didn't work. Maybe if for every snake turned in a gun was taken off the streets, then the law might make a difference and make people safer.

I just can't wait for a senator to propose a bill that is going to improve our economy or generate jobs in the state of Rhode Island. Now that would be something!

I have over 30 years experience with reptiles, so If there is any way I can help to shed light and truth on this matter with knowledge that comes with that experience I would be more than happy to help. I have no reason to conceal who I am and letting people know who may remember me I have worked in some of R.I.'s most famous pet shops, such as Tuffy's Aquarium in Warwick and the Warehouse Aquarium in Johnston. I can be e-mailed at jdo1234@hotmail.com.

Thank you,

Jason Oneppo

I was interviewed by the Warwick Beacon this morning concerning this proposed ban, so hopefully they don't twist my words and it turns out for the best.

I have also asked my cousin a former RI senator for help with this issue and what more can be done to stop it from moving forward, so hopefully something good comes out of that.

I attended the reptile show in NH this weekend and found out the person that was busted was getting all his snakes back including the HOT ones without having the proper permits or set up. I was always under the impression that no private individuals could be permitted to own venomous reptiles in RI, maybe I'm wrong. I think that's a bad move on the side of DEM or whoever is involved. The person also had a table at the show selling reptiles. I believe, but am not 100% sure he is a former employee of the now out of business Regal Reptiles. That's a whole other story.

Back in the 90's Mitch Burns then owner of the Reptile Emporium was busted with HOT snakes and it made the news. At that time they were rewriting the RI exotic animal laws. I am not sure who from the state was involved, but at that time several private individuals were bought on board, one was a herpetologist from the Roger Williams Park Zoo and the other was the president of the now defunct Rhode Island Herp Society. They decided to make it necessary to have a permit to own old world chameleons. The reason behind the decision was to run Mitch out of town, because at that point in time he was breeding and selling lots of Chameleons. That's not the reason you'll see on the books,they said it was because chameleons are delicate, etc..., but it is the truth behind it. How do I know? All these people used to buy reptiles from me at the Warehouse Aquarium and I heard all the gossip and was friends with allot of the people involved. We all know Rhode Island is spelled with a crooked letter I, but we still love Buddy.

I can't just sit here and watch more injustice happen in this state involving peoples pets. Common sense and actual facts need to be involved here.

If anyone is still following this thread

RHODE ISLAND: S2033 Goes to Committee

There will be a hearing before the RI Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture Wednesday February 15th at the rise of the Senate in Rm 211 of The State House, 82 Smith St. Providence, RI. This hearing will be to consider, and potentially vote on, S2033 Act Relating to Animals. There could be a vote on this bill which could adversely impact reptile ownership in the state. If you own reptiles in RI please make every effort to be present and testify at this important hearing. Andrew Wyatt, USARK CEO, will testify on behalf of USARK members. We need as many people as possible to attend this hearing. There has already been a ground swell of opposition to the bill engineered by USARK in a large letter writing campaign. Decisions made at this hearing could be crucial to the future of reptile ownership in RI. Oppose S2033!