WINK (Fort Myers, Florida) 27 June 08 Are Florida snake owners paying attention to new rules?

Lee County: Heartbreak for a Florida pet owner, after a huge snake swallows her cat in her own backyard. More than likely, the snake's owner let it go. There are new state rules to try to prevent this. But are pet owners paying attention?

"I've always wanted one," said snake owner, Kyle Stouffer.

He calls his albino Burmese python, Atilda, his prized possession. Stouffer got her 10 months ago, before the new state law requiring a permit and microchip for certain species started.

"I think it's a wonderful idea. Cause if your pet gets lost, somebody can't just keep them. They can just go and get them microchipped and you can have them back," he said.

Officials with Florida Fish and Wildlife say owners were releasing too many exotic snakes. And that causes a problem for native species, native wildlife and possibly for people and pets.

One Florida woman found that out, after a nine-foot boa constrictor ate her cat in the backyard of her Orlando home.

Scott Flavelle, a wildlife trapper, says he's gotten about five calls so far this year for exotic snakes. Most likely, someone released them into the wild.

"When they can't afford to maintain them anymore. They just get too big, of they just get bored with them," said Flavelle.

For Stouffer, he plans to get Atilda chipped and hopes other owners do the same. And that they also hold on to their pets.

" I don't believe in letting them go in the wild. It's a bad idea," he said.

There are five types of snakes, most of them pythons, that need to be microchipped.

http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/ruleregs.HTML
Are Florida snake owners paying attention to new rules?

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