California ban on Non Native Frogs and Turtles/Tortoises

[John]

Some laws are meant to be broken. Why should people lose their rights and freedoms because of other peoples ignorance,stupidity, or prejudices. And governments get away with it because people don't have the money to fight these social injustices in the court system. California is so broke they are just trying to raise money. They can't afford to enforce these laws. Don't worry, it won't take too many more dumb ideas before the state collapses. And besides going undergound means no paying for permits. To all those in California who can live with in a budget and are tired of a government who can't there is life east of the Rocky Mountains(Unless you're my in-laws, you guys just stay put).

Please keep to the issue at hand. This isn't an excuse for a free-for-all political debate on California.

[mikeald]

If the issue was to protect native species the would have banned domestic dogs and cats too.

[Kurt]

The dog/cat people far out number turtle/frog people and they vote. The truth of the matter is most dog/cat owners generally don't release their pets when they grow tired of them. Sadly, many people who have owned exotic animals (fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians) release their animals into the wild, thinking they are doing the animal a favor. They are the reason we have those trying to ban our animals.
What we need to do is educate pet owners, in this case frogs, that releasing their unwanted pets is a bad idea and in many places illegal. By releasing their animals, they are making things difficult for the rest of us and introducing invasive species that can wreak havoc. Many herpetological societies have adoption programs to place unwanted animals in new (and usually much better) homes. So if any one has an unwanted frog (or other herp) they should contact their local herp society for help. Also many pet stores will take them in.