"BUT I saw pics of the Osteoleamis and its nose is turned up deformed due to improper lighting, heat, and diet. When we do these things and we all did including me back 30 years ago no one looked and no one cared. That is NOT the case today."



I am not trying to argue with you Tom, and certainly agree with the jist of what you are saying, but at the same time, do we know that animals specific history? Was it Terry's from the time it was a youngster? Even if it was, if his husbandry improved over the years, whats to say it wasn't being well kept except for the word of someone who probably has no idea how to keep reptiles in general.



The reason I bring this up is because god help us if they ever bust me up for some reason, or many of the folks out there who have taken in unwanted herps with a rough past! Under the harsh, dispassionate and ignorant eye of the media they could really make us look bad if they decided to omit the history of the animals in our hands.



Being involved with rescue, I personally keep a number of "defunct" critters who have a lot of life left despite their pasts, current appearances & handicaps. From 3 legged, to stub tailed, nubby, one winged, one eyed, and just generally dinked up, some with resolved MBD issues - they are critters that people have passed off onto me or friends, who over the years came to live with me. Many do outreach. They are getting great care here, but things like turned out snouts, slew-shells, pyramiding, serious under bites and twisted backs don't ever really go away all the way. Surely these creatures deserve to live, despite their imperfections. I couldn't imagine it reflecting on the keeper for keeping such critters instead of "perfect" specimens...and I wonder if that's the case with Terry?



I didn't know him personally, and I could be dead wrong. I sure wish they had taken photos of his setups and animals when they were taken. It seems to me that would be of significant legal importance to document the mistreatment of the animals in question. (I recall on all the "animal cops" shows I have seen that they make sure to take lots of photographs to document the incident and the mistreatment of the animals) It is rather suspicious to me that they did not this, and that makes me question what exactly went on here.



"In all fairness herps deserve to be given adequate caging etc."



They do, but what constitutes adequate caging? I know most people don't keep crocs well, or many lizards, but herps have such diverse needs and requirements, a big sunny cage would rock for one herp, well might kill another. I know many folks use rack systems for snakes & geckos, and the AR lot would almost certainly point and say that's a vile practice. The snakes & geckos in them seem to be doing just fine.

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