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Court Rules in Favor of the Reptile Nation!
View as a Press Release at www.usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/PI-Press-Release1.pdf
Reptile Nation, we have good news! USARK is pleased to announce the Court ruled in our favor, granting our motion for preliminary injunction. This injunction will suspend the ban on interstate transportation of reticulated pythons and green anacondas under the Lacey Act. Given the high bar that must be met for an injunction, this is indeed a tremendous milestone in USARK’s history.
USARK President Phil Goss knew immediately that USARK must fight for this preliminary injunction after hearing the Fish and Wildlife Service announce additional snake species would be unjustly listed as injurious during their March 2015 press conference. It’s been tireless work by those involved, and Goss had this to say today, “Truth is a powerful weapon, but only if it’s heard. The Reptile Nation has been heard! This would not have happened without a united reptile community supporting this pivotal cause. Thank you, Reptile Nation!”
Our case involves much more than snakes, and the reptile community has made it glaringly evident to anti-pet groups that we can and will fight. We fight not only for ourselves, but for all responsible pet owners. We hold the truth and legitimate science. We will prevail over disgraceful sensationalism and nefarious propaganda.
The herp community is comprised of five million households in America. Community members care about their pet snakes, turtles, lizards, frogs and invertebrates just as other pet owners do their dogs, cats and horses. As the public becomes aware of the facts in our case, rather than reacting to an irrational fear of snakes and lies from anti-pet groups, support will grow from the tens of millions of American pet owners.
The Reptile Nation may be misunderstood, but we are responsible pet owners. We will not back down to animal rights groups seeking to remove our freedoms as Americans. We look forward to getting the facts out in public as this case proceeds.
CONTACT: Media and press may contact USARK with inquiries at info@USARK.com.
Preliminary Injunction: What you need to know now!
The Court has granted USARK’s motion for a preliminary injunction. This will eliminate enforcement of interstate commerce and transportation for reticulated pythons and green anacondas until the Court rules on USARK’s lawsuit. Judge Moss has requested USARK and FWS submit additional briefs by May 15, and has scheduled a hearing for May 18 to discuss this action.
The importation and interstate transportation/commerce bans are still in effect. Enforcement will likely be lifted shortly after the hearing on the 18th, once we have a ruling on the final scope of the injunction.
There are two main questions raised by the Court to be discussed in the briefs and hearing:
- Should the injunction be tailored to exclude shipment into Florida and Texas?
- This has not yet been decided, so shipping into Texas and Florida may or not continue to be banned. Shipping out of these states should not be an issue. Obviously, USARK will fight to allow shipment into these states as both states already have regulations regarding these species. (These are the only two continental states listed in the USGS model used as having potentially suitable habitat for these species.)
- Whether it is necessary or appropriate for FWS to seek interim relief from the Court of Appeals.
Also, USARK asks that the herp community present themselves in a civil and professional manner throughout the remainder of this lawsuit. USARK only represents responsible herp owners and businesses. Being irresponsible in any manner is not within USARK's mission statement. Thank you for maintaining your composure and representing us with dignity, Reptile Nation.
View the Court ruling at www.usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Dkt-No-52-Memorandum-Opinion-on-PI.pdf.
USARK will provide additional information soon.
There is a new anytime RAACA! Check out the format for listing auctions to benefit USARK via RAACA USARK Auctions at www.facebook.com/groups/1623588901209232/. These auctions will allow donations at any time and not just during fundraiser events. Anyone can bid, donate and support the Reptile Nation!
RAACA USARK Auctions raised over $2,600 during their first three weeks. Thank you, RAACA, Jordan, Tammy, Houssam, Christine, donors and all the admins in this group!
View this newsletter on our website at www.usark.org/2015-blog/7109/.
Reptile Events
Cold Blooded Expo: May 17 in Overland Park, KS. Show details at www.coldbloodedexpos.com/kc-reptile-show/.
Lone Star Reptile Expo: May 16-17 in Arlington, TX. Show details at www.lonestarreptileexpos.com/home.html and www.facebook.com/LSRExpos.
Cin City Reptile Show: May 17 in Fairfield, OH. More details at www.cincityreptileshow.com.
International Herpetological Symposium: May 27-30 in San Antonio, TX. Details at www.internationalherpetologicalsymposium.com.
Washington D.C. Area Reptile Expo: May 30 in Leesburg, VA. Show details at www.facebook.com/pages/Washington-DC-Area-Reptile-Expo/1523619487911043.
All Ohio Reptile Show: May 30 in Hilliard, OH. More details at www.allohioreptileshows.webs.com.
Las Vegas Reptile Expo: June 6-7 in Las Vegas, NV. Show details at www.facebook.com/events/591811610945614/.
All Maryland Reptile Show: June 6 in Havre de Grace, MD. Show details at www.mdreptilefarm.com/havre-de-grace-maryland/.
Indiana Reptile Breeders' Expo: June 7 in Clarksville, IN. More details at www.irbexpo.com.
Snake Days: June 12-14 in Sanderson, TX. This is a lecture/field herping event. Details and more at www.snakedays.com.
Northern Colorado Reptile Show: June 20 in Loveland, CO. details at www.Northerncoloradoreptilesupershow.com.
Cold Blooded Expo: June 21 in Broken Arrow, OK. Show details at www.coldbloodedexpos.com/ok-reptile-expo/.
Repticon: June 27-28 in Raleigh, NC. Show details at www.repticon.com.
Midwest Reptile Show: June 28 in Indianapolis, IN. Show details at www.midwestreptile.com/index.php.
New York Metro Reptile Show: July 12 in White Plains, NY. Show details at www.reptileexpo.com/nyfirst.htm.
Armadillo Reptile Expo: July 11-12 in Austin, TX. Show details at www.armadilloreptileexpos.com/austin-reptile-show.html.
Reptile Super Show: July 18-19 in San Diego, CA. Show details at www.reptilesupershow.com.
SEWERFest Reptile Show: August 2 in Sturtevant, WI. Show details at www.sewerfest.com.
Reptile Super Show: August 8-9 in Pomona, CA. Show details at www.reptilesupershow.com.
H.E.R.P.S. Austin: August 15-16 in Austin, TX. Show details at www.herpshow.net and www.facebook.com/HERPShow.
Western Maryland Reptile Show: August 15 in Frederick, MD. Show details at www.mdreptilefarm.com/western-maryland-reptile-show/.
National Reptile Breeders' Expo: August 21-23 in Daytona, FL. Details at www.reptilebreedersexpo.com.
NARBC: August 29-30 in Arlington, TX. Show details at www.narbc.com/Arlington/arlington.html.
Portland Metro Reptile Expo: August 29 in Portland, OR. Show details at www.nwreptileexpos.com/portland-metro-reptile-expo.
NARBC: September 12-13 in Anaheim, CA. Show details at www.narbc.com/Anaheim/anaheim.html.
Kentucky Reptile Expo: September 19 in Bowling Green, KY. More details at www.kentuckyreptileexpo.com/.
New England Reptile Expo: September 27 in Manchester, NH. Show details at www.reptileexpo.com/nefirst.htm.
H.E.R.P.S. - Houston Exotic Reptile and Pet Show: October 3-4 in Conroe, TX. Show details at www.herpshow.net and www.facebook.com/HERPShow.
Nebraska Reptile Breeders' Expo: October 4 in Omaha, NE. Show details at www.nebherp.org/expo.html.
NARBC: October 10-11 in Tinley Park, IL. Show details at www.narbc.com/Tinley/tinley_park.html.
Long Island Reptile Expo: October 25 in Brentwood, NY. Show details at www.reptileexpo.com/lifirst.htm.
OKC Elite Reptile Show: November 7-8 in Oklahoma City, OK. Show details soon at www.okcelitereptileshow.com.
SEWERFest Reptile Show: November 8 in Sturtevant, WI. Show details at www.sewerfest.com.
Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group (TTPG) Conference: November 11-12 in Mesa, AZ. More details at www.ttpg.org/conference2015.html.
Phoenix Reptile Expo: November 14-15 in Mesa, AZ. Show details at www.phxreptileexpo.com and www.facebook.com/PhoenixReptileExpo.
Reptile Super Show: January 9-10, 2016 in Pomona, CA. Show details at www.reptilesupershow.com.
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