RE: New call to scrutinise vets' conflict of interest over exotics

nets — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 23:56:12 GMT

Could not disagree more! The majority of reptiles 85-90% sold in the pet trade are captive bred. Health risk that is mentioned in the article could refer to many diffrent zoonotics the same with any animal, however you would be more likely to be in hazardous contact with a domestic animal Evan as a member of the public. In the last 100years no one has died as a result of a bite including venomous reptiles or a reptile zoonoses in this country. I do however agree that tighter control over the importation of reptiles should be made.

Lastly I would just like to have a look at mr Warwickshire academic credentials and self proclaimed consultant having been to university I would never use him as a credible source as his academic ability is that of an a level student (nothing against a levels or the academic ability however he would not teach in a university of Evan a primary school ) just to point out before I end on this I have worked in a zoo that worked closely with hethrow airport (cities) and have seen for my self the condition of some of the animals both reptiles and primates during which time worked with published vets

RE: New call to scrutinise vets' conflict of interest over exotics

Nikki Armstrong — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 09:30:37 GMT

great article!! Agree . I trained at a vets that dealt with all the Heathrow animal air travel at the AQS, and we regularly saw ( apart from the usual domestic pets emigrating with their owners ) exotic species in very poor condition from being in long haul travel situations or worse, confiscated from illegal importers. Once you've seen that you would disagree with the trade in exotic species too :( Really sad. They were the lucky ones though - they would be sent to British animal sanctuaries and be cared for properly by professionals, but hence in captivity for the rest of their lives... others may not be so lucky with un educated prospective new owners. :(