Everyone invited to a BBQ--

[The Giss]

Especially Ohio State Rep Barbara Boyd and State Senator Nina Turner.

We will be cooking and eating several large snakes and alligators at some point between now and January 1, 2014 in order for us to comply with the asinine requirements of Senate Bill 310 which will be signed by Governor Kasich sometime in the next week. We invite everybody to partake in Alligator Nuggets, Pulled Burmese Barbecue and Ragin Cajun Reticulated Python on skewers.
With the wording of this new law, the State Government has basically taken away my ability to make a living, although they insist that is not the intent of the law. My attorneys are looking at options, but without a formal ruling from the state, I will be moving to Pennsylvania, Kentucky or Indiana sometime in the next 18 months.

[Just Saying]

Have they outlawed ownership of such critters? I hate the "Nanny State" at all levels.

[The Giss]

Have they outlawed ownership of such critters? I hate the "Nanny State" at all levels.

They have put together a ridiculously restrictive, punitive law, rather than one that makes sense (and which is needed, imho). If I keep three alligators, I pay one fee, if I have a fourth, the fee doubles. If I have ten, the fee stays the same as if i have four.
The whole law is 14 pages and we are still looking to see if they snuck any other changes into it.

[Jeremy]

Didn't they give the animals back to the wife of the guy that started this mess?

[careless hal]

Well, they have a lot of snakes in Kentucky, so that might be where you would fit in best.
I just hate all this government interference in our lives. Because some people drive drunk should all drinking an all use of automobiles be banned?  Of course not.  But that seems to be their "logic" here.

[AmyHollar]

Didn't they give the animals back to the wife of the guy that started this mess?

Yes.  And then run Giss out of business.......makes total sense. 

[LVGaryD]

I think Giss should turn his gators and pythons loose on that woman's farm. 

[The Giss]

Get a call today. The ink is barekly dry on Kasich's signature and the law does not take effect until 1/1/14, but... " We got your number from the nature center and a vet. We are cleaning out an apartment and the renter left some kind of crocodile or something. We need to get it out of here TODAY. If not, we will just throw it in the pond."

I drive out there- almost an hour - and it is a hatchling American 'Gator with a 55 gallon aquarium, heat pad, lights and stand. He is now getting used to his new home- doing baby gator calls and the big ones bellowing back- my basement sounds like the 'Glades.

Here is the problem- "We will throw it in the pond." This animal would not have lived long, he is under a year. But what if he was 4' long? Or 12? Or a lion? Or a tiger? Or a bear? Oh my. We are going to see more and more of these animals deserted. Hopefully nobody dies trying to save them.

[careless hal]

I see a new business opportunity here.  Alligatror and snake skin bridles for horses.  Maybe a deal could be worked out with Big D's to have exclusive rights to sell them.   I can see it now.  Storage Wars 2035.  " Yaahooo, an original Gisskiss alligator bridle!"  Worth at least $25,000!  (inflation)

Just how long can one keep a gator in your basement?

  Giss--the reptiles best friend!

[The Giss]

I see a new business opportunity here.  Alligatror and snake skin bridles for horses.  Maybe a deal could be worked out with Big D's to have exclusive rights to sell them.   I can see it now.  Storage Wars 2035.  " Yaahooo, an original Gisskiss alligator bridle!"  Worth at least $25,000!  (inflation)

Just how long can one keep a gator in your basement?

  Giss--the reptiles best friend!

My largest enclosure is 10'x5.5' and will house a 6-7 footer with no problem. I had one for about 15 years. Usually I send them to the St Augustine 'Gator Farm or Avery Island Nature Preserve when they get too big for a hotel bathtub (4' or so), but with the new law making it illegal to acquire new animals after 1/1/14, I am not sure what I will be doing in the future.