This proposal results from a venomous snake bite from a free-handler (someone who freely handles venomous snakes without proper tools and equipment.)
The first reading was on November 18. Local stakeholders opposed to this ban should contact their City Council representative and the Mayor as soon as possible.
The following species would be banned: It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, maintain, or possess within the City any live livestock, wild or feral animal, and large birds or waterfowl, including but not limited to the following:
- Any Porcine animal, including without limitation swine, pigs, and hogs;
- Any Equine animal, including without limitation horses, ponies, mules, and donkeys;
- Any Bovine animal, including without limitation cows, buffalo, bulls, calves, sheep, goats, rams, and lambs;
- Any Camelid animal, including without limitation camels, llamas, and alpacas.
- Baboons, chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, or other non-human primates;
- Bears, cheetahs, leopards, lions, tigers, jaguars, pumas, or other large cats (including without limitation Servais);
- Wolves, coyotes, foxes, or any hybrids of these species with domestic dogs where the proportion of wild animals exceeds one-eighth;
- Crocodilians twelve (12) inches or larger;
- Large, dangerous, or potentially invasive constricting snakes including reticulated pythons, python reticulatus; Burmese/Indian rock pythons, python molurus; rock pythons, python sebae, and anacondas, eunectes murinus (green anacondas);
- Venomous/poisonous reptiles, amphibians, or serpents;
- Raccoons, hyenas, badgers, wolverines, skunks, weasels (not to include ferrets);
- Porcupines;
- Piranhas or other dangerous aquatic species;
- Nondomestic members of the family Felidae (cats);
- Bats;
- Rodents greater than 5 pounds;
- Members of the Cervidae family (deer).
- Ostriches;
- Emus;
- Rheas;
- Cassowaries;
- Peafowl (peacocks and peahens);
- Swans;
- Geese;
- Ducks;
- Herons;
- Cranes;
- Roosters;
- Penguins.
The below “may be” exempt:
- Zoos;
- Circuses or traveling attractions;
- Wildlife rehabilitation centers, including without limitation veterinarian, animal medical centers, and humane societies;
- Educational institutions;
- Licensed research facilities;
- Pet stores and agricultural supply stores, provided that the keeping and sale of any wild or feral animals listed in subsection (3) above must be expressly approved by the City.
Read the draft starting on page 101 at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/24-florence-sc.pdf.
Council members and contact information are at https://www.cityofflorence.com/city-council/city-council.
Sample Letter (Be civil and professional!)
Email list: lbarnes@cityofflorence.com, ljackson@cityofflorence.com, jlsmith@cityofflorence.com, bbraddock@cityofflorence.com, gjebaily@cityofflorence.com, cmccall@cityofflorence.com
Subject line: NO to Animal Ban
Dear Mayor Bares and Florence City Council Members,
I am a Florence resident and responsible animal owner who will be affected by the proposed ban. I understand your goal to protect our community, but this ban is not how to do that. This ban punishes responsible animal owners, while irresponsible people will continue to do irresponsible things.
Collective punishment is unAmerican and unjust. This ban is being pushed because of one person’s actions. Please work with local residents on alternatives to this ban. This proposal does not even allow current owners to keep their animals. People will not allow their animals to be seized and likely euthanized. This is a bad move for Florence, our good citizens, and the animals.
I would hate to see overreaching, big government seize control of our wonderful city. Thank you for reading this, and have a good day.
Sincerely,
