USDA Demands Magician Develop "Disaster Plan" For His Rabbit
Remember that study indicating that the expansion of federal regulation has made America 72% poorer? Here’s another data point supporting that conclusion.
Marty Mahane is a magician who works in Missouri. Like a lot of magicians, he has a rabbit that is a part of his act. But lately, his rabbit has been causing him a lot of headaches with the federal government.
According to the USDA, Mahane must develop a disaster plan for his rabbit. Per Bob McCarty, who has been chronicling Mahane’s struggles, the timeline has gone like this:
- The new regulation became effective Jan. 30, 2012;
- The written plan must be completed by July 29, 2013;
- Hahne and his wife, Brenda, must be trained to implement the plan as written; and
- The written plan must be available for review by USDA inspectors by Sept. 28, 2013.
Via McCarty, here’s Mahane on his understanding of what his rabbit disaster plan must entail:
My USDA rabbit license requirement has taken another ridiculous twist. I just received an 8 page letter from the USDA, telling me that by July 29 I need to have in place a written disaster plan, detailing all the steps I would take to help get my rabbit through a disaster, such as a tornado, fire, flood, etc. They not only want to know how I will protect my rabbit during a disaster, but also what I will do after the disaster, to make sure my rabbit gets cared for properly. I am not kidding–before the end of July I need to have this written rabbit disaster plan in place, or I am breaking the law.
Our federal government is a trillion dollars in debt. Reductions in spending growth resulting from the sequester are supposedly so severe we’ve had to cut back on air traffic control and White House tours. Yet, we have enough money for the USDA to hassle a magician over his rabbit?
But remember, if you think government is too large and intrusive, you’re an extremist.
