As I have said in a previous post I wrote a proposal to amend the federal law banning the sale of turtles, specifically Red Ear Sliders, under four inches...
I just wanted to post it for you all to see... Please tell me what you think and what you would add/change... I want to send it to the Food and Drug Administration and see if I get a response from them... Thanks
Here it goes:
I. Introduction
The propose of this proposal is to suggest an amendment to the law that bans the sale of turtles, specifically Red Ear Sliders, under four inches as pets. The problem with this ban is it does not protect the turtles, it only protects people. Thousands of turtles, specifically Red Ear Sliders, are still being sold without the new owners having the proper knowledge of how to care for their new pet. And this is resulting in the inhumane care and premature death of the turtles no matter what size they are. The problem is people are not being educated on the proper care of their new turtles and sanitation precautions that need to be taken. The ban was put into effect by the Food and Drug Administration in 1975, because of a rise in the number of outbreaks of Salmonellas. Salmonellas is an infection of the intestines caused by the bacteria Salmonella. Young children, elderly, and people with low immune systems are higher at risk to catch Salmonellas, but anyone can catch it. Red Ear Sliders, like most reptiles, carry this bacteria. Due to the rise in popularity of RES in the mid 1970’s, cases of Salmonellas also rose. The Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of turtles under four inches to curve the outbreaks of this infection. This proposal will cover the current law and the proposed amendments.
II. Current Law
The current law states: “ The sale or commercial distribution of viable turtle eggs and small turtles (carapace length less than four inches) for use as pets is banned under CFR 1240.62.” (See appendix for full copy of law). This means any turtle under four inches is not allowed to be sold as a pet. This ban for Red Ear Sliders, is very good. And needs to be in place. However, this ban only protects people. It does not protect the Red Ear Sliders. People are still buying the small, green, dime-sized turtles, though the exception to this law. The exception is that you can buy a turtle under four inches only for bona fide scientific, educational, or exhibitional purposes. Any one over the age of 18 can purchase a turtle under four inches as long as they sign a form stating the use of the turtle. Red Ear Sliders do not stay the small, green, dime-sized creatures they are when they are babies. They grow into large turtles, that live up to 45 years or longer. This ban does nothing to educate the public and potential new owners about turtles, specifically Red Ear Sliders. Which leads to the inhumane care and premature death of the turtles no matter what size they are. Figure 1 is of a Red Ear Slider under four inches. Figure 2 is of a Red Ear Slider at eight inches.
III. Proposed Amendments
The amended law would include a minimum price of the Red Ear Sliders, a week holding period, warning sign about Salmonella must be posted in store, and mandatory care sheets to be given to the new owners. These changes would be implemented despite the size of the turtle.
The minimum price of the Red Ear Sliders would have to be of equal value to that of other turtles and reptiles. This change is going to prevent Red Ear Sliders from being consider throw-away pets. The old statement “Oh well, it was only $5.00,” will no longer apply. The heavy price will also be an indication to how much the Red Ear Slider will be to take care of each month. Currently these turtles are cheap to buy, but very expensive to care for in the long run. Female Red Ear Sliders grow up to twelve inches from the top of the shell to the bottom of the shell, and males grow up to nine inches. They require ten gallons of water for every one inch of shell. So if you have a female Red Ear Slider you are looking at a tank with at least 120 gallons of water and a place for her to lay her eggs. Food alone each month is more then dog’s food. Red Ear Sliders eat both pellets and vegetables. And need both to stay healthy. They also require vet visits every year like a dog or cat does. In addition, Red Ear Sliders, if properly cared for, can live 45 years or longer. If the price of the Red Ear Slider was raised to meet that of other turtles and reptiles then the price would match the required care.
A week holding period would stop impulse buying of the smaller Red Ear Sliders. Stores would be required to hold the turtles for one week. The new owners would receive care sheets at the time of purchase. Then one week after the purchase date, they could take their new turtle home. In this way, the new owners have a week to change their minds if they decide, after reading the care sheets and other facts, that they are not able to properly care for the Red Ear Slider.
The store must also put up a sign about Salmonella. A sign provided on the Food and Drug Administration website, would be posted at all stores that sold Red Ear Sliders, under four inches and above four inches. The sign would state that turtles carry Salmonella, what Salmonella is, and precautions to take when handling turtles.
An amendment to the ban would also include mandatory care sheets to be given to the new turtle owners at the time of purchase. This would ensure that everyone who buys a turtle weather it be for “bona fide scientific, educational, or exhibitional purposes,” or as a pet, would know how to care for the turtle. Furthermore, the care sheets would contain information on how much room they need in the long run, their longevity, feeding requirements, and other information about sanitization.
IV. Conclusion
In Conclusion, the ban on the sale of turtles, specifically Red Ear Sliders, under four inches needs to be amended. These amendments need to include a minimum price equal to that of other turtles and reptiles; a week holding period; posted warning sign; and mandatory care sheets to be given at the time of purchase. Not only will these amendments save turtles but it will also save people time and money if they do not want the turtle. If we are not going to solve the problem we are just creating a bigger problem.
Thanks again
