16 to buy fish alone

[zacharyrapchuk]

why do you need to be 16 to buy fish alone?
i just went to the pet store to buy some platys and they said that they couldn't sell me anything if i was not with my parents!
why is that a rule at some fish stores?

 

[-*-MicHAeL-*-]

its just the way it is some not so reputable LFS will sell to under 16 year olds but it is against the law.
you know what some kids are like and what they might do with the fish so i think its acceptable anyway its the law

 

[abstract]

in all honesty i think it is a good idea...many, many kids who get allowance would love to bring home animals that their parents would absolutely despise...in doing so, i'm sure the parents more often than not try to return the pet or even worse kill it....i think it is only fair and is for the safety of the animals in the long run

 

[Snailguy101]

I actully think its a good idea also same as abstract said.

 

[orientmatt]

It is against the law for any shop to sell any kind of livestock to under 16 year olds. I've been asked by my fish shop before, but had ID on me so it was ok. If the shop does ask it shows they are doing a good job by sticking to the rules.

 

[Teelie]

Considering how much some people (rightfully at times) complain on these forums about fish abuse, I would think this was a completely understandable law. If only it extended to people being required to prove a basic knowledge of proper fish keeping (or any pet for that matter).

 

[Jen]

Knowing the boys I grew up with in grade school... thats a great rule. They would have bought an inexpensive fish big enough to put a firecracker in, and then done it. They were aweful to animals.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I've only been ID'd once at a lfs(im 20yrs old lol , anyways..), i believe the law is mainly there because at least at 16yrs old the majority of teenagers would have started to get some sort of responsability in them, but also i can understand how many parents wouldn't like the idea of their 10yr old child bringing home a tank of piranhas.
Being 16 doesn't mean you have the responsability to look after fish at all and many don't but the chances are that many will have more responsability than your average 10yr old. Without the law though a 5yr old could go in and buy a heap of fish. At 16yrs at least you are old enough to get a fairly decent job to pay for your pet fish, but a 10yr won't be and the parents wouldn't be too pleased having another thing to pay for in the house.

 

[willtang3000]

iam 12 and I find it really annoying about this law although my local fish store lets me buy fish because iam a regular customer and they know I would never to anything to kill a fish although they are aware of this law

 

[Teelie]

Others your age and older don't have the maturity or responsibility it takes to keep fish. They think, toss them in the water and feed them flake food is all there is to it. Anything else is trying to make you buy needless products or get you to spend more money. With minors especially, they just see them as a cheap pet to exploit.

 

[willtang3000]

its quite annoying because those our age ruin it for those who are experienced in fish keeping

 

[Teelie]

Not necessarily. There are parents and they are supposed to be the ones making sure their children know right from wrong, how to do things properly and in the end, they are the ones who ruin the fish keeping for others under the age of 16 because they don't properly learn how to keep fish or other pets and let the children do it on their own.

 

[xXMrBonesXx]

in all honesty i think it is a good idea...many, many kids who get allowance would love to bring home animals that their parents would absolutely despise...in doing so, i'm sure the parents more often than not try to return the pet or even worse kill it....i think it is only fair and is for the safety of the animals in the long run

thats exactly teh reason why we dont sell to under 16 where i work, theres been a couple times where parents have called screaming

 

[tttnjfttt]

I've also known guy who would buy bettas specifically to watch them fight to the death. I agree that the law is to try to keep people from treating fish inhumainly... Unfortunately, they don't realize that education is key for good fish keeping. I know many 12 year olds who I think would make great owners, simply because alot of 12 yr olds care so much for animals. A 16 yr old, on the other hand, is more likely to be too busy for the fish, or loose interest in them.

 

[OohFeeshy]

*OohFeeshy sniffles* I hate it... two more years to go.... I'm hoping though that the lfs my dads friend owns will sell me fish (regular customer, responsible etc.). I have to ge my dad to taxi me to most anyway, but it would be nice to be able to buy something 'on impulse' (not exactly, sort of seeing a nice fish that I know is fine in my tank and getting it without planning in advance).