Section 11:


Current Version:

D. Pets are discouraged, but are permitted on a leash no longer than 7 feet. No snakes, reptiles, arachnids, spiny echidnas, or amphibians are allowed. MRA officials reserve the right to remove vicious or uncontrolled pets at the owner’s expense.

Proposed Version:

D. Pets are discouraged, but are permitted on a leash no longer than 7 feet. No snakes, reptiles, arachnids, badgers, or the representation thereof, or amphibians are allowed. MRA officials reserve the right to remove vicious or uncontrolled pets at the owner’s expense.


Rationale:

The Spiny Echidna is a generally docile creature that deploys it's spines in defense from attack only. Furthermore they are non-indigenous and highly unlikely to be kept as a pet by an MRA member. The badger, especially the honey badger, on the other hand, is an aggressive ill behaving creature that is prone to indiscretion at any time.

Team Spiny Echidna raced the 4-hour endurance this year in an effort to raise awareness regarding the unjust exclusion of this friendly mammal from our ranks.