Turtles have bacteria, don't make safe pets

Turtles have bacteria, don't make safe pets
Beth Preiss, director, Exotic Pets Campaign, The Humane Society of the United States - Gaithersburg, Md.

The huge increase in pet ownership in the USA since 2001 demonstrates the important bond humans have with animals ("We really love — and spend on — our pets," Life, Dec. 11).

But the increase in pet turtles is cause for concern for both public health and animal welfare. It doesn't matter whether turtles are imported or bred domestically. They carry salmonella.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that "no reliable methods are available to guarantee that a turtle is free of salmonella." Because of the health risk, selling small turtles has been prohibited in the USA since 1975. Illegal sales occur, however, and the consequences have been tragic. This year, a Florida infant died from a salmonella infection she got from a pet turtle.

Turtles are wild animals with needs that are difficult to meet in captivity. Countless turtles die from inadequate care and during transport for the pet trade. If they survive, they can live for decades, outgrowing their tanks and their welcome. Turtles let loose from the pet trade have displaced native species in multiple states.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5626a1.htm