WPTZ (Plattsburgh, New York) 10 December 09 Snake Breeders Battle National Bill - Bill In Senate Has Some Breeders Worried

Barre, Vt.: Morgan Weiss runs an unusual business: breeding snakes out of her home in Barre.

Weiss is worried about the future of her hobby and livelihood. She said a bill currently in the U.S. Senate could ban the sale of all pythons -- including the ball pythons she breeds.

The bill, introduced by Florida Democrat Bill Nelson, aims to make the import or sale of nine "giant constrictor snakes" illegal. Nelson drafted the bill to protect the Florida Everglades, an area he said is in danger.

But according to Weiss and others, the bill could also end up banning all of the python species, including 45 smaller species of the snakes, like ball pythons.

Weiss said ball pythons are not dangerous, and the ones in her home have never posed a problem.

"Not one has escaped, not one has hurt a person, nothing like that. And I know I'm a responsible pet owner and breeder just like millions of other people," Weiss said.

The bill was passed by a Senate committee Thursday, with an amendment that would limit the ban to just the nine big snake varieties, including Burmese pythons and Boa Constrictors. Next up is the Senate floor, where Weiss and others said they'll be watching carefully.
Snake Breeders Battle National Bill

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