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Pittsburgh's Zone 3 officers found an alligator about 2-feet-long on the porch of a residence in Carrick on Saturday, June 8, 2019.
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Kraus aims to replace Harris' reptile ordinance, ban pet alligators

Pittsburgh Police

Kraus aims to replace Harris' reptile ordinance, ban pet alligators

Proposals would remove restrictions on venonmous snakes, strengthen penalties for pigeon trapping

Not even three months after former city Councilwoman Darlene Harris championed tighter rules on alligator and venomous snake ownership in Pittsburgh, Councilman Bruce Kraus is aiming for a wholesale overhaul of the ordinance to make it “humane.”

Mr. Kraus introduced two bills Tuesday — one, outright banning crocodilian species, including alligators and red-eared slider turtles, but lifting regulations passed in December that tightened restrictions on venomous snake ownership.

"The main opposition to the bill as it was originally put forward was that you could own the alligator or the turtle as long as you kept it trapped in a box, which was the main opposition that [advocacy organization] Humane Action Pittsburgh had with the bill, which I would have to agree. It's an inhumane way to keep an animal,” Mr. Kraus said.

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The animal advocacy organization as well as the nonprofit and shelter Humane Animal Rescue worked with the councilman’s office to submit the bills.

A Philippine crocodile at "The Islands" exhibit at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, as photographed in June 2015.
Ashley Murray
Councilman Kraus, Pittsburgh Zoo spar over proposed reptile regulations

The reptile regulations passed by council in December did not specify a “box” for the reptile pets but put forth regulations that “any crocodilian or venomous snake must be housed in a sturdy and secure enclosure” that “shall allow for unrestricted movement of any animals contained within,” among other specifications.

The city and surrounding areas saw a spate of loose alligator cases in 2019.

Alligators and red-eared sliders are among the “most frequently abandoned reptiles” in the city, and shelters have become overburdened, according to Natalie Ahwesh, Humane Action Pittsburgh’s vice president.

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A representative of Humane Animal Rescue could not be immediately reached.

Neither Mr. Kraus nor Ms. Ahwesh could answer why the proposed bill would remove regulations on venomous snake ownership. 

Medical and educational institutions would be exempt from the ban and current owners would be grandfathered in, given that they obtain liability insurance “in the minimum amount of $1 million,” according to the legislation.

The second piece of legislation introduced by Mr. Kraus would strengthen a 2015 ordinance prohibiting the capture of wild birds.

This alligator was captured at South Side Riverfront Park by Pittsburgh Public Safety officers on May 18, 2019.
Ashley Murray
Pittsburgh City Council revisits red-eared slider, crocodilian ban

Mr. Kraus said the impetus for strengthening definitions of wild birds and required permits is that “birds were being trapped in the city and taken to the outskirts, Butler County, places like that, to actually be used in pigeon shoots.”

Council is expected to discuss the bills next Wednesday.

Ashley Murray: 412-263-1750 or amurray@post-gazette.com

First Published: February 25, 2020, 6:53 p.m.

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Pittsburgh's Zone 3 officers found an alligator about 2-feet-long on the porch of a residence in Carrick on Saturday, June 8, 2019.  (Pittsburgh Police)
Pittsburgh Police
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