Pa game commission

August 8, 2003.. Game officer inspected pen and approved it...About a week later, My game officer called the permit holder where I had the two year experience required.. Apparently, the game officer was comfortable with the conversation..

Shortly thereafter my game officer submitted all the paper work to Harrisburg.
September 3, 2003 Tim from the Permits Department of the Game Commission called the woman where I had the two year experience.. He harassed her.. Tim wanted to know what other type of animals she has and if she has a permit for all of them . (keep in mind, this woman lives in OHIO, NOT PA..

Now why did Tim call this woman again, when my game Officer already did? Did he not believe my game officer? I found it to be rather tacky that Tim doubted my game officer's word..
What business is it of Tim, what this woman from Ohio has and why did he have to be so rude about it??

9/12/03 I called Tim to find the status of my permit.. He told me it was rejected because of insufficient hours and lack of experience. (keep in mind I had over two years experience with foxes) (I met the requirements according to their new rules)

Tim also said, If I was to work in a ZOO, then maybe I would have been eligible for the two year experience.. (Now, keep in mind, zoo keepers do not have close contact with most animals)

When I told Tim that according to his two year rules, it does not state that you have to have a job doing this, nor does it state how many hours it is suppose to be...... his comment,
"Well I guess I will have to change those rules"

Tim mentioned if I would like to re-submit another letter of reference, to go ahead and try, but he can't promise it would be processed..

Below is their requirements for the two year experience
(f) Experience required. A new applicant for an exotic wildlife possession permit shall provide documentation of at least 2 years experience of hands-on-work with the designated species, including care, feeding handling, training and husbandry. This experience shall be from a recognized/approved facility and the owner, manager or licensee of this facility shall provide a letter of reference.

Ok, now lets look at these rules a little closer:
(A new applicant) Do I qualify as a NEW APPLICANT?
I have a permit for two black bears..

(Hands-on-work) I had this for well over two years. I fed the fox, played with the fox etc.
Does this not count?

(At least 2 Years experience) With almost three years experience. does this not count?
Ok, then what is considered 2 years? how many days? how many hours?

(A letter of reference from approved facility) The Pa Game Commission got their letter, but wasn't enough.

This is what the letter read:

This letter is to inform the PGC, that Patricia and Gary Rask has 2-1/2 years experience feeding, caring, training and handling silver foxes at my registered facilities. I see no reason why they cannot have one of their own

UPDATE: I finally was able to get a permit for my silver fox. I had to have another letter of reference written, in this letter, it had to be in great detail with how many hours I spent in the two year period.
Now, what I don't know for sure, is if this revised letter helped or the phone calls to the Senator about this.
(It took me FIVE MONTHS to get a permit for a little 10 pound fox).

The Pa Game Commission is way out of control. They need to be stopped.
They have harassed many people. Not only Pa Residents, but Residents from other states also..

In fact, anyone driving in or through Pa, must be careful.. Especially if you have any type of pet with you.... Since they are not educated on any type of animal, they can very easily mistake a domestic dog/cat/small animal for another type.. They have already done this or they can change their rules on a whim... However, if they want to, they can decide to regulate dogs and cats.. Which they have done in some cases..
SO PLEASE, IF YOU LOVE YOUR ANIMAL, TRY TO AVOID PA IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.

Even if you don't have an animal in your car, they can pull you over and harass you .
This harassment also applies to hunters, gun laws and all..

SO BEWARE OF THE PA GAME COMMISSION.. THEY ARE THUGS WITH BADGES.
THEY WANT POWER AND MONEY AND THEY DON'T CARE WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO TO GET THIS!

ONE LAST NOTE. SYBIL, BENNY AND MY OTHER ANIMALS ARE AT A VERY HIGH RISK RIGHT NOW.. THE GAME COMMISSION DOES READ THIS SITE.. THEY ARE NOT HAPPY WITH IT AT ALL. WHEN SOMEONE MAKES THEM MAD, THEY WILL RETALIATE..
THIS MEANS THEY WILL FIND SOME TYPE OF AN EXCUSE TO CONFISCATE SYBIL AND BENNY.. EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE LEGAL WITH AN APPROVED PEN....
NOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?? DEATH ROW
NOW THEY CAN PULL A RAID ANYTIME THEY DAMN WELL PLEASE..
IF ANY OTHER ANIMALS, SUCH AS DOGS, LLAMA, EMU'S GET IN THEIR WAY..
THEY WILL BE SHOT ON THE SPOT..

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is interested in pursuing an investigation of complaints of abuse of power by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) to see if they are acting within the laws and Constitution of Pennsylvania.

Any citizen of Pennsylvania who has experienced abuse of power by the PGC is encouraged to contact Paula Knudsen, attorney for ACLU, with their experience which will assist the ACLU in investigating patterns of abuse by the PGC.

Citizens may contact Ms. Knudsen by telephone at 717-236-6827, but e-mail would be preferable. Her e-mail address is pknudsen@aclupa.org. Please put “Pennsylvania Game Commission” in the subject header of your e-mail and include:

* Description of what happened
* County in which the incident took place
* Date it took place
* Name of the PGC officer involved

All reported incidents will be held
confidential under a strict attorney-client privilege. If ACLU decides to pursue a class action suit, those who initially contacted her would be asked if they wish to be included in the lawsuit.

If you have personally experienced questionable tactics by PGC, please contact Ms. Knudsen. If you know of others who have, please pass the word along to them. PGC’s misuse of power will continue to grow if enough people don’t cooperate to stop them

If you have not yet signed our petition, please take a few moments of your time and sign the on-line petition.. If possible, please print out the petition and get a few more signatures and submit.
It does not matter what state you are in.. All signatures will help..
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Life of Innocent Animals

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