"1) Big snake owners posing as pet friendly people and taking FREE Puppies and Kittens and feeding them to their snake because they can’t afford the food."

> People take free puppys and kittens and do all kind of bad things to them. Bait for fighting dogs, food for snakes, food for people, and some are just tortured to death by psychopaths for enjoyment. I've a lot of cases of animal abuse on our local news (A dog covered in gas and burned, and kittens blown up with fireworks up their rear, by kids for fun.) and non involved large snakes. The problem here is with the FREE animals, get your cats and dogs fixed and quit adding to the over population of unwanted animals.


"2) Big snake owners using their big snake as social statement, prop, or to gain attention. You don't see gun owners walking around flashing their pistols in the public even in open carry states. Most people understand discretion. Alot of big snake owners do not."

> I have seen many people that own guns as a social statement. I see gang members on the history channels gangland waving around pistols to get attention and show their willingness to kill. People that rob stores with firearms are not showing the discretion that you claim most understand. I think the word RESPONSIBLE gun owner would apply to what you said.....same with big snakes.


"3) Big snake owners who breed and then sell them without really telling the buyers just what kind of commitment they are getting into."

> And how many people that buy a $10 corn or leopard gecko are told about the 20 year commitment they just made.


"4) Big snake owners who release their snakes."

> Not just a problem with big snakes, ask the desert tortoise.


"5) Big snake owners who have already cause many herp shows to close down because the local authorities have forced show vendors to purchase business licenses, breeders permits, and exotic animal permits. They have also brought negative attention from state Fish and Game Depts."

> Depending on the state, rules for buisnesses are pretty well laid out. In Ohio if I go to a local show and set up as a vendor I am required by law to collect and pay sales tax. To do PA shows I need an animal propogators license. It's not a big snake owners problem that vendors don't want to get the proper tax and animal permits to do a show. People are lazy and don't like to pay taxes.... not a big snake problem that I see. Big snake breeders are apparently the only ones who went and got the proper permits, after all they are all I see at shows.


"6) Big snake owners who have brought a huge amount of negative attention to the hobby by keeping snakes that they cannot control and have killed numerous snake owners and their friends and family not to mention the slew of bites and injuries these snakes have inflicted. I freely admit some of this negative attention was through no real fault of some owners but many are caused because the keepers don’t feed their snakes enough (because they can’t afford it or because it’s to inconvenient) or don’t want to deal with cleaning up the mess they leave."

> Again the word responsible comes to mind here. Heard a lady the other day at a pet store say she wanted to get her son a cornsnake. 2 minutes later she was upset (and let everyone know) over the idea of mice being breed just for snake food. Said she would make her son go "catch his own food for his snake". Again not just a big snake proplem.

I do not keep big snakes.... OK I have 4 boas (BCI), but none are over 8 ft. And honestly once they are gone I won't be getting more since I like kings, corns, hogs, and dart frogs much more and would rather dedicate the space to them. A permit system would be ideal but should be handled on the state level to address the perticular issues that that state faces. My main issue is that you cannot lump responsible owners under the same issues you listed, it's just not fair. No more than listing me who likes hunting with a longbow and a muzzleloader with a south central crip. But I still stand up for reponsible gun ownership even if it looks like to some I am sticking up for the gangmember.

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