DAILY PRESS (Newport News, Virginia) 24 October 08 Calls for controls on pythons as pets after death of woman (David MacAulay)
Virginia Beach: The Humane Society of the United States has called for stricter regulations on the importation and ownership of large constrictor snakes following the death of a Virginia Beach woman who is thought to have been asphyxiated by a python Tuesday.
Amanda Ruth Black, 25, was found dead in her home on Maracas Arch around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Her husband called police and said he found her lying in front of the pet snake's large cage, which was empty. Police spokesman Adam Bernstein said the medical examiner's preliminary report found that the woman died from "asphyxiation caused by neck compression.""Tragedies like this can be avoided with common-sense regulations at the local, state and federal levels," said Beth Preiss, director of the exotic pets campaign for The HSUS. "To protect public health and safety, animal welfare and the environment, large constrictor snakes should not be pets."
At least 11 people have been killed by pet pythons in the United States since 1980, including men in Ohio and Indiana who were killed by their pet pythons in 2006.
The HSUS said reptiles also carry salmonella, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends keeping reptiles out of homes with children under five and people with weakened immune systems, who are most susceptible.
Virginia prohibits certain reptiles such as alligators as pets, but pythons are allowed unless the locality has a stricter rule. The HSUS has called on Virginia Beach and the state to prohibit future acquisitions and sales of large constrictor snakes and other dangerous wild animals.
Calls for controls on pythons as pets after death of woman

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