City Council revisits turtle, crocodile ban
After a crisis-filled year of a global pandemic, outcry over social injustices and the threat of a budget shortfall that could have cost hundreds of city jobs, Pittsburgh City Council has renewed its effort to ban the ownership of redeared slider turtles and crocodilians.
The body came one step closer Wednesday to outlawing the ownership of such reptiles, but concerns over how the measure would impact the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium still linger a year later.
Council’s standing committee recommended the legislation that would prohibit pet alligators, crocodiles and other related reptiles, in addition to the small turtles, nearly 13 months after Councilman Bruce Kraus introduced the bill.
“People are purchasing these [animals] not realizing the lifespan and responsibility and size they reach, and when they come to the realization, are releasing them into the wild, which is unbelievably unsafe for everyone involved, whether it be people, children or other animals,” Mr. Kraus said.
City residents who already own these types of pets could see them
grandfathered in upon meeting certain criteria.
Exceptions to the proposed ordinance also would include veterinarians, schools and medical institutions using the animals for research, and zoological facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The Pittsburgh zoo in Highland Park dropped its 29-year membership with the association in 2015 after a disagreement over elephant handling.
The zoo’s split with the organization has been “a bone of contention” because the membership is a requirement in the city’s lease with the zoo, said Councilwoman Deb Gross, whose district includes the historic institution.
“We’ve heard about this at this table before,” Ms. Gross said. “... I would be more comfortable with this bill if again we implored the zoo to pursue the AZA accreditation.”
Zoo staff challenged members on the proposed regulation in council chambers in March 2020.
The zoo did not immediately respond for comment Wednesday.
Mr. Kraus’ bill aims to replace an ordinance unanimously passed by council in December 2019 that established regulations for the ownership of crocodilians and venomous snakes, including cage size and mandatory signage displayed for emergency responders. That bill also included a full exemption for the zoo.
The ordinance was sponsored by then- Councilwoman Darlene Harris, who introduced it after the city saw a spate of loose alligators, including a 5-foot alligator named “Chomp” that escaped in Beechview.
Pittsburgh Police Officer Christine Luffey, who often investigates animal complaints, and Dan Rossi, head of Humane Animal Rescue, spoke in favor of council’s renewed effort to pass Mr. Kraus’ version.
“We have had great difficulties in the past with various dangerous reptiles that the city has to pick up and needs a place to put them, so of course they come to us,” said Mr. Rossi, whose organization holds the contract with the city’s Bureau of Animal Care and Control.
The rescue received eight crocodilians in 2019.
“We are primarily set up to deal with dogs, cats, bunnies, companion animals. We do not have the capacity to deal with large and dangerous animals. ... It causes great strain on our systems here to house these animals and then get them transported.”
Regarding red-eared sliders, Mr. Rossi said “people don’t understand the length of the commitment they’re making” when they purchase the reptiles, which can live for up to six decades.
Council President Theresa Kail-Smith and Ms. Gross abstained from the committee vote, citing the a need for further discussions with the zoo.