BUSHNELL -- Robert Keszey has been dealing with exotic reptiles for almost 30 years, but his livelihood is now at risk.

That's because lawmakers unanimously passed legislation that would prohibit importing and personal pet ownership of seven non-native reptiles, including many species of pythons.

Keszey, who co-owns Glades Herp Farm, is now pinning his hopes on Gov. Charlie Crist's veto pen.

“We're asking Charlie Crist to look at this bill with open eyes, without the blinders on, without what I call, what everybody in the industry calls junk science,” Keszey said.

Keszey said the cold snap killed off most of the pythons in the wild, and does not believe they pose an environmental risk.

Lawmakers see it differently, and said they're invasive and damaging Florida's Everglades.

"This environmental damage is compounded by a public safety risk; these carnivorous snakes are large enough to kill a person, all too sadly demonstrated when one took the life of a small Florida child last year. This bill is really a no-brainer," wrote State Sen. Eleanor Sobel, who sponsored the bill.

Keszey argues the concern has been overblown.

“A child gets killed by a python here in Sumter County, and all of the sudden it's the python's fault. It's the reptile people's fault,” Keszey said. “It's not the parents' fault?”

People who work in the reptile industry said this proposed ban would in effect drive the ownership of these snakes underground.

“It will have an effect on people," Keszey said. "Not everyone is going to get scared. The love for the animal is greater than the fear for some people and that's going to push it underground.”

If Gov. Crist signs the bill, it would go into effect July 1.

Current owners of the seven species of reptiles would still be allowed to keep their pets with proper permits.

The mother and live-in boyfriend of the the girl killed in Sumter County are expected in court for a pretrial hearing next week.
Is Proposed Python Ban Overblown Due To Toddler’s Death?


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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
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