As a keeper of snakes I enjoy the hobby thoroughly. Snakes are typically viewed as scary or evil instead of being recognized for the amazing creatures they are. I just had my ball pythons taken from my home where they were all being kept well fed and cared for. All my snakes are healthy and happy. The only reason the were taken was because of a city ordinance not even a state law! Iowa allows these fantastic pets to be kept but Sioux City does not. I am currently in the process of trying to work with animal control to hopefully get them transferred out of city limits to some keepers who are capable of the care they require. Which brings us to this petition that should have been started a long time ago but has not for fear of placing a target on our backs as keepers of these supposedly dangerous animals.

       Currently the city ordinance outlaws all pythons regardless of whether it’s a ball python which typically is very docile and that averages 3-5 feet for adult females (smaller for males) or an African rock python which is specifically listed as a dangerous animal in iowa law due to its aggressive temperament and size. It’s even lumped into the same category of a Burmese python which typically reach an excess of 25ft and 200 lbs.

Here are the changes we request: A person should be able to purchase, sell, and keep non venomous snakes under 15 feet in city limits except for reticulated pythons, African rock pythons (which are listed as dangerous animals in Iowa), and Burmese pythons without a permit. In order to posses a snake in excess of that size with the exception of snakes outlawed by state law in Iowa a household must pay 50 dollars for a permit  and have an inspection done by animal control bi yearly to show pythons in excess of 15 feet have suitable enclosures that are able to provide adequate space and are secure to prevent any escapes. The law is already halfway there. In the ordinances it reads:

“It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, shelter, or harbor for any purpose within the city a dangerous animal or dangerous animalhybrid, as defined in section 7.01.010(7), except for the following:in a public zoo, bona fide educational or medical institution, museum, or other place where they are kept as live specimens for the public to view, or for the purpose of instruction or study;

for exhibition to the public by circus, carnival, exhibit, show, or pet shop;

in a bona fide, licensed veterinarian hospital for treatment;

at animal control when such animals have been impounded and until such animals may be removed from the city limits by animal control in a safe manner or humanely disposed of in accordance with any applicable law.“ 

I’d like to point out that per this quotation pet shops are able to carry “dangerous animals” in Sioux City but we as citizens can’t legally keep them? That doesn’t seem rational to me at all. 

By allowing the breeding, keeping, and sale of these animals in Sioux City we will bring additional business. Higher sales for enclosures, bedding, feed, and even hotel stays! In Omaha Nebraska they host a large reptile convention a few times a year. I attended in April  and there had to have been at least 1,000 people in attendance. Many from out of area which means increased traffic, higher gas sales, influx of people to restaurants or fast food, and much more. 

Sign this petition to correct an overbearing law. Sign this petition to be apart of the change.

Attached is a go fund me that will be used to help in our legal fight against the city