Pittsburgh City Council is banning the ownership of certain reptiles. The ordinance bans alligators, crocodiles and red-eared slider turtles in the city.
Dan Rossi, the CEO of Humane Animal Rescue, tells Larry and Kevin on the News Radio KDKA morning show why this move will be helpful to both humans and these reptiles.
Rossie said that in 2019, the city "had 8 different crocodiles that were taken or seen around the city, you know, along the riverbanks. And some lady's garden, she was gardening and almost stepped on the poor thing".
Rossi adds, "This is a safety issue that is a risk to the public, when people allow these animals just to free roam like that because they can't take care of them anymore. It's also a humane issue. These animals can't survive in our climate here".
The ordinance, which council passed unanimously this week, has a grandfather clause for many current owners, as long as they register their reptiles with the city. The Pittsburgh Zoo is exempt from the ordinance.