Nanny state!

Man, those wacky brits.

What does Bart Simpson have to say about this issue?

speaking of which... did Greenpeace ever name that whale "Mr. Splashy Pants"???

I don't care what they call their country...

It's hard to argue with the reasoning, and we reckon young Smithies would have stood a better chance if he'd also suggested the elephants be trained to sniff out awol HMRC discs or patrol war-torn UK city centres in the war against alcopop-crazed hoodie happyslappers


...That is not English. Not in Queens, not anywhere.

Drawist: speaking of which... did Greenpeace ever name that whale "Mr. Splashy Pants"???

Did that picture of Mrs. Splashy Pants in the thread below this one jog your memory?

This is not a hair question.

Even pet shops in Bolton?

British government rejects online petition calling for pet shops to be allowed to sell elephants

Because left to their own devices they probably will.

stampy!

Why is there a follow-up? The original article stated that the petition was rejected. Was it rejected a second time??

*Rs TFA*

Oh, perhaps this is why:

Published Thursday 10th January 2008 12:07 GMT

Good job, submitter.

I was going to buy an elephant, but I couldn't figure out any way to get it home in my car. I just don't have the trunk space.

WHERE'S MY ELEPHANT!?

They are very large animals that are not used to being kept as pets, and have welfare needs that would be impossible to meet in pet shops or people's homes.


Just get a house hippo.

"alcopop-crazed hoodie happyslappers" is the best thing I have read all day.

Now THAT would be one hell of a band name.

But what if they were...tiny elephants?

Ernie McBert: But what if they were...tiny elephants?

So tempted to photoshop a trunk onto one of my kids' gerbils right now...

They probably coudn't find anyone who wanted to clean the Elephant's boots.

T-Servo: Even pet shops in Bolton?

The palindrome of Bolton would be "Notlob"!!

b>black_knight: Drawist
speaking of which... did Greenpeace ever name that whale "Mr. Splashy Pants"???

Yes, they did.

From the link:

"Mister Splashy Pants is still in danger and we need you to save him!"

I don't know why, but that sounds like the premise of an AWESOME video game to me.

Gulper Eel: British government rejects online petition calling for pet shops to be allowed to sell elephants

Because left to their own devices they probably will.

Even though it's a sin?

An online petition not doing anything?

One day I shot an Elephant in my pajamas

Just me, or is the Reg article basically reporting the same thing as the original, but putting it more clearly in context that the government thinks it's not a good idea?

Homer_J_Fong: One day I shot an Elephant in my pajamas

How did he get into your Pajamas?

In a West End town it's a dead end world... East End boys, West End girls...

RimShotTheTransformer: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

You're saying "Boutros," right?

Ernie McBert: But what if they were...tiny elephants?

like, pot-bellied Elephants ?

I like this song. Reminds me of elephants!

Dead parrots, on the other hand, are still acceptable.

StreetlightInTheGhetto
I don't know why, but that sounds like the premise of an AWESOME video game to me.
"Mr. Splashy Pants is under threat by whaling ninjas. Are you a bad enough dude to rescue Mr. Splashy Pants?"

I would think the demand for pet store elephants would be small and self-limiting at best.

Homer_J_Fong: One day I shot an Elephant in my pajamas

How did he get into your Pajamas?

Why would you shoot a hole in your pajamas?

T-Servo: Even pet shops in Bolton?

No, no, it's Ipswich.

/They can do a terrier into an elephant overnight, though.

What about Lolrus's

I can just hear it now: "Mommy, can I have an elephant for my birthday?"
"Certainly, darling, but you must remember to clean up after it."

you really should rent an elephant before buying one.

Approves

Oldiron_79: Approves

"Hannibal was a darkie, you know?"

-Major General Bartford Hamilton Steele

I_Can't_Believe_it's_not_Boutros: I was going to buy an elephant, but I couldn't figure out any way to get it home in my car. I just don't have the trunk space.

We call it a "boot". But thanks for playing!

I have no idea why, but the first thing that popped into my head upon seeing the headline was "Have you ever seen a picture of a guy with elephantitis of the nuts?"

What about parrotts?

He's pining for the fjords.

Mongo cut wood
What about parrotts?
They've got slugs...

I came for the Simpsons references.
I stayed for the "alcopop-crazed hoodie happyslappers" is the best thing I have read all day. Now THAT would be one hell of a band name.

Considering the track record of dog owners, allowing people to keep elephants would likely be problematic regarding the poop-and-scoop issue.

Hell, I don't even think a garbage bag would do the trick.

Of course, if somebody could breed a friendly, micro-miniature elephant weighing under 100 pounds, they would become incredibly wealthy.