Other Turtle Discussion :: how to report a vendor?

[Julibee]

Am I recalling correctly that it is illegal to sell turtles under 4" in size for pets? A short time ago I noticed a store in historic St. Augustine selling babies (not sure what kind) but I forgot to look into it. Apparently they are still selling the babies (no larger than 1" in size) and a friend of mine just picked a couple up.

It's driving me nuts because they spoke to the "turtle farm" people who said they can just put the little things in their pre-existing fish tank and they won't get very big or need anything special (such as UVB). The fish tank is beautiful but it's 10 gallons, not set up safely for turtles, and I'm scared to heck about the health of the little guys. I'm thinking about offering to take one but then what's the other one (and all the others) going to do?

I at least want to report the store, not only are they selling the babies as pets but they are giving customers incorrect information on their care.

I'm wondering if this is something that I can bring up with a local media group. They love exposing puppy horror stories, why not adorable baby turtle horror stories? This could at least help educate some of the public on turtle care and laws and whatnot.

Any help or ideas for me?? I still need to go get the address of the store but it is really out of the way for me.

[steve]

In NYC, it's the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene so I would look into a similar one and local commerce departments. The humane societies also field complaints, so they might be able to help out.

The FDA also has a list of numbers for complaints: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProble ... efault.htm

[Julibee]

thanks steve

[steve]

No problem, hope you have better luck than I did!

[Julibee]

I'm hoping the local news stations will get interested Did you report a place??

[steve]

Yes but they said they didn't find anything. I even sent them pictures.

[Julibee]

that's disappointing. I hope I can figure something out with the tourist trap, poor little turtles.

[BonnieLorraine]

The laws are rather vague regarding turtle size. You can sell under 4" for display, educational, and scientific purposes, but they never really defined what constitutes those three purposes, so you can pretty much say you're displaying them in your living room. I'd try a different angle, but it seems they're doing nothing illegal and just offering bad advice to customers to sell more baby turtles, which is unfortunately not a crime, just unethical.

[Hammerstix]

I live near Historic St. Augustine & it is not illegal to sell baby turtles under 4". They are not required by law to give proper care info. either. St. Augustine is a huge tourist spot & probably making a ton of $ selling baby turts.

[Julibee]

aw man yeah this isn't looking good.

[steve]

The law regarding the ban states "The sale, holding for sale, and distribution of live turtles and viable turtle eggs for bona fide scientific, educational, or exhibitional purposes, other than use as pets."

[Julibee]

that's tricky to me because turtles are display pets. its not like they cuddle

[steve]

I think where it says "other than use as pets" is pretty clear but I agree, there is a lot of abuse of the rules

[michaelg]

I live near Historic St. Augustine & it is not illegal to sell baby turtles under 4". They are not required by law to give proper care info. either. St. Augustine is a huge tourist spot & probably making a ton of $ selling baby turts.

Actually, the law banning the sale of turtles under 4 inches is a federal law and applies to all 50 states (Title 21 CFR 1240.62). The FDA is responsible for the enforcement of the law, so contact your local FDA office.

Most of the places that "sell" turtles try to get around the law by not actually selling the turtles. You buy the turtle kit and you get the turtle for free. Whether or not that practice is illegal depends on whether or not the local FDA office is interested in enforcing the law.

Sadly though, if the local FDA office does enforce the law, the little turtles must be destroyed.

-Michael

[Hammerstix]

I know of a very reputable reptile shop that sells baby map & YBS. They have even sold Lemurs to the local zoo. I would be shocked if they were selling anything illegally. The shop id Blazin Reptile on San Jose Blvd. in Jacksonville, Fl. Lots of baby turtles, under 4" sold here....bangel cats too...