Fined $15000 exotic snakes

[itbites]

No he was in the wrong! I don't have any discrepancies with that issue, Just...It would be nice to see those more deserving getting crucified. I highly doubt that some one as reputable as matt would be willing to risk everything he has worked for and his immaculate reputation!, all to sell some cheap corn snakes ect... There is definitely more to the story!

[Metal_Jazz]

I fail to see how someone acknowledging the law and then willingly breaking it is making a 'mistake', seems to me like a thought out action - not a 'mistake'.

[Isis]

No mistake....just a blatent disregard due to selfishness of the laws......

[junglepython2]

Please

[CassM]

Lol guys. These sound like the debates we have at uni (I study criminal justice)

[Isis]

more than the criminal element at stake in this one though. Me thinks someone just likes an arguement........

[CassM]

I have to agree!

[cracksinthepitch]

Hey Isis it must be real early in New York if you catch my drift....Arguements.......rhymes with soft

[Isis]

Hehehehehehe

[richardsc]

15 grand is nothing for these smugglers,as an example think of the impoted green tree pythons,say they sold 2 exotic illegally imported gtp,s,they would make 15 grand easily,thats why they blatantly risk importing in the first place,as the risk is worth it,especially if they dont lose there licence,what a joke,thats how so many aussie animals pop up in the states,as when there caught they cop a hefty fine,but the fine is nothing compared to the funds they make selling the animals,amazing how the departments give them a slap on the wrist,it really isnt a deterant at all,absolute joke

[junglepython2]

Not really the departments fault, they took them to court the magistrate imposed the punishment.

[Sdaji]

The problem with issuing larger fines is that these people will pay their fines by bringing in money in the way they know best. Fine a burglar, cause burglaries. Fine a smuggler, cause smuggling.

Take away his license and he goes underground, they can't keep track of him any more.

Having a nice disposition removes your obligation to do the right thing, huh? Very interesting. I wonder why he didn't use that excuse in court, surely the magistrate would have dismissed the case.

itbites: if there are unusual circumstances surrounding this incident and you're so keen to defend your friend, why don't you enlighten everyone? What he has done puts us all at risk from several different aspects (keeping regulation changes, diseases, etc) and it's no surprise that people are angry and resentful. Sticking up for him with no more reason than "He is a nice guy" is just going to make people think "Yeah, right, nice smuggler, nice liar, nice person who put puts my situation at risk, grr" and also turn them against you too. You accuse people of taking information from a misleading/biased source, but all people are angry about is the fact that he was smuggling illegal exotics, which is fact.

[richardsc]

true junglepython,i assumed the dse could take a licence away though,i dont know matt personally but know someone that used to get rats from him and heard he was a nice guy ect,theres no doubt there,but he tried selling exotics,juvies and plead guilty,thats what he has been busted for,whats he sold in the past??????

[dragon lady]

Should be jail terms!...
no tolerance laws enforced...

[COOP]

15 grand is nothing, joke of a fine. for him to have even come close to being investigated, i would bet that he has sold 5 times that amount in exotics.