THE RECORD (St. Augustine, Florida) 11 October 09 Recent snake kill called 'abusive' (Greg Lepera is a St. Augustine resident, a local herpetologist with 23 years experience in zoos, and a photographer specializing in natural history and conservation.)

It is with dismay that I respond to The Record's recent articles regarding the killing of a large rattlesnake. I've spoken to many friends upset by the front-page coverage of this event.

The snake in the article was gigged through the neck, then hoisted off the ground while still alive for photos. Its mouth was open and its tail was contorted in pain. This was a living, breathing, beautiful animal, an animal whose last moments were spent in agony. Such abusive behavior in a civilized society is shameful.

In the last 25 years, I have seen rattlesnakes in St. Johns County decline dramatically both in numbers and in average size. Some would argue that is a good thing, I strongly disagree. Rattlesnakes are top predators that maintain ecological balance. They deserve a place in our county and our state.

Each year in the United States, there are an estimated 8,000 to 12,000 bites from venomous snakes, 5-12 bites a year are fatal. Many bites occur while the victim is trying to capture or kill the snake, and many bites involve the use of alcohol by the victim. I fully understand and appreciate the dangers involved with venomous snakes.

I would like to compare the relative danger of snake bites with that of dog bites to create some perspective: There are 4.7 million dog bites in the U.S. each year, meaning that nearly two percent of the U.S. population is bitten each year. One out of six bites requires medical care. Dog bites are the fifth most common reason for children to visit the emergency room. Dog bites fatalities have almost doubled, from an average of 17 in the 1980s-1990s, to 33 fatalities in 2007, the last year for which statistics were available. The vast majority of biting dogs (77 percent) belong to the victim's family or a friend. Three dog breeds and their mixes, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and Presa Canarios, accounted for 74 percent of attacks in one study.

What would happen if a homeowner recognized a threat to his family when a neighbor's Pit Bull or German Shepherd wandered into his yard?

What if he were to stab it through the neck with a flounder gig, then hoist it aloft, still alive, kicking and whining, while the police observed? Would he be arrested for animal cruelty? Would he be vilified and face jail time like Michael Vick? Or would the local newspaper canonize him and give his business a boost with not one but two front page stories of his heroism?

It is time to abandon the outdated idea of human dominance over the environment. Living safely with snakes (or alligators, or cars, or horses, or lightning) takes only some common sense and a bit of knowledge. There are many options available to deal with a snake on your property, it is unfortunate that the wrong one was chosen in this case.
Recent snake kill called 'abusive'

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