RSPCA vs Pet shop signs....

[slim6y]

Unfortunately no happy ending here (yet).

I went into my favourite (huge hint of sarcasm here) pet shop today in Earlville. I was going to show you the $500 children's python... Or the $250 beardie... But instead, I am left with a question.

Out the back of the shop area is a place for birds, rats, mice etc... And there was a cage full of chicks at $7.50 each.

The sign on the chicks stated (and I quote):

Recommended for live feeding to snakes

Now - I know (and you all know) that that is illegal, not that it's a terrible thing to live feed because of course in the wild a chick alone is a chick in the stomach of some animal... But this is an enclosure that we put it into.

Now I choose to eat chicken... that's not the issue... I love my chicken... pre-killed!

But so should snakes (shouldn't they?).

So - I thought I'd ask the shop keeper to change their sign to 'Recommended to feed to snakes' just removing the word 'live' from their sign...

Do you think they'd have a bar of that?

I explained... It's actually illegal to feed live animals to your pet snakes (though of course it goes on).

And I suggested that as a pet shop supplying reptiles they should promote responsibility.

She argued with me stating that they're selling live chickens so therefore it's recommended they be fed live!

I again reiterated my previous comments about just removing the word live.

No good...

So I walked out without buying the fish food I had gone in to buy.

So I just called RSPCA - and unfortunately they can do nothing either as it is 'just a sign' and no animal cruelty has gone on!

So where too next?

What is the answer?

How do I save these chickens from being strangled to death vs humanely gassed and fed (or smashed on the noggin and fed)?

There must be a way....

 

[waruikazi]

I reccomend a thick black texter... that's right Slime, take the law into your own hands.

 

[slim6y]

I reccomend a thick black texter... that's right Slime, take the law into your own hands.

HAHA!!

I shall return to the scene of the crime!

 

[shellfisch]

Pics please! :lol:

 

[Dipcdame]

Good luck!!!! We're all behind you!!!!!

 

[razeunit]

I have noticed most pet shops are full of people with low iq's. Not that i'm the brightest spark but seriously. I have met one guy so that is not to say there all useless...... People should have to pass some sort of intelligence test before being allowed to own any animal.

 

[holes]

you should be there when they try to feed the spotteds, and then make comment. see how fast you are put in your place so to speak lol like i was about how they know what they are doing etc

 

[the jungle guy]

hahah thats funny love to see pics

 

[slim6y]

you should be there when they try to feed the spotteds, and then make comment. see how fast you are put in your place so to speak lol like i was about how they know what they are doing etc

You know of the place I speak of then?

There $500 childrens must only eat gold lined live chickens I think....

Well, the pen will have to wait till Thursday next week - but I will be there... I will be crossing out the word 'live' and I will take a stand for the little guy.... I mean chicks....

No more chicks will needlessly be put to death by strangulation. From now, they'll be gassed or donked on the noggin!

Come to think of it... Every week they feed that childrens the price goes up by $7.50....

 

[BrownHash]

As they are promoting an illegal activity you might be more successful approaching the Government Department that issues licenses.

 

[Klaery]

Haha Good luck mate. Wield that texter of justice!

 

[baxtor]

As they are promoting an illegal activity you might be more successful approaching the Government Department that issues licenses.

It gets mentioned a lot but I cannot find any reference to it being illegal. It is not recommended and my personal view is that it can be a dangerous thing to do for the snake where rodents are used but it is NOT illegal.

 

[Kristy_07]

Are you mates with any coppers? I don't think a government department would care much, but BH is right, they aren't allowed to actively promote illegal activity. A friendly tap on the should from a man/woman-in-blue might be all it takes to get them to change the sign... And let them know that Big Brother is watching!

 

[Kristy_07]

Sorry, I was typing as you sent your message. Maybe that's what the RSPCA could help with? The documentation that says it's not recommended... THEN a tap on the shoulder

 

[slim6y]

It gets mentioned a lot but I cannot find any reference to it being illegal. It is not recommended and my personal view is that it can be a dangerous thing to do for the snake where rodents are used but it is NOT illegal.

I'm fairly sure I've seen a reference to the legality of feeding live... I know that this won't come as a surprise, but I can't recall where I saw it! But I know I saw it!

I'm fairly sure it's illegal to even cook mudcrabs live from that very notion and similar legislation.... It's also illegal to feed guppies to your fish... live... by that same notion....

So.... What about woodies?

But either way, you're right baxtor - it's very much the not recommendation of the week!

Especially if you're a $7.50 chicken!

 

[slim6y]

Ok...

To kill the 'legality' issue:

Taken from:
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/register/p00061aa.pdf

Minimum standards:
• Wild pythons usually kill their prey; however, it is preferable to feed freshly killed prey to captive pythons, as live prey has the capacity to injure, mutilate or even kill captive snakes.
• Under captive conditions it is desirable to feed pythons on domestic animals, as these are less likely to transmit parasites and disease.
Snakes feed most when young and growing. Hatchling pythons can be fed once per week during warm weather and less frequently throughout the winter, but only if adequate temperatures are provided (no wintering). Hatchling Children’s pythons Liasis childreni and others can consume pink mice, while hatchlings of larger species (e.g. carpet python) can consume weaner or adult mice.
• Adult carpet pythons and similar sized species will usually readily accept freshly killed rats or pigeons. For a 200cm python, two to three adult rats or pigeons constitute a meal that will sustain the snake for 8-10 days.
• Under no circumstances must the feeding of live vertebrate animals be conducted as part of a public exhibition.
• All captive pythons must have access to water.

Other than no live feeding in a public exhibition - it's not illegal...

But it is still NOT recommended

 

[Klaery]

I'm fairly sure it's illegal to even cook mudcrabs live from that very notion and similar legislation.... It's also illegal to feed guppies to your fish... live... by that same notion....

So.... What about woodies?

Inverts are different with regards to ethics

 

[holes]

according to parks and wildlife qld site , it seems it is only illegal to feed live if the reptile is part of a display, other than that it recommends live food not be left in enclosures.

correct me if im wrong (bare in mind i have not read the entire site)

 

[holes]

slim6y said it better than i could huge difference between recommended and illegal but which ever way you look at it regarding this and many pet shops live or not doesnt matter if you have no idea as to what you are actually doing

 

[JAS101]

id be carefull if u are planning to cross anything out with texta , if they catch u they are likely to call the cops and have u charge with being a vandel or graffety