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KIFI (Idaho Falls, Idaho) 08 May 06 Judge Judy Made Decision On Rexburg Python Case
Judge Judy had plenty to say in the case involving local reptile celebrity Bessy, the Burmese Python that got loose in a Rexburg apartment complex.
The case received attention from Judge Judy after Bessy escaped into the walls of her owner’s apartment.
Bessy’s owner, Chelsea Carter, filed a lawsuit against her apartment manager, Kevin Kennedy, in March. Kennedy filed a countersuit and the case was sent to Judge Judy’s television courtroom.
During the televised proceedings the outspoken judge has plenty to say.
“He didn’t make you get rid of her,” Judy said, “The day you wanted to go with your snake, the day they got him out, you take your snake and you go live with your father. He didn’t make you get rid of her; he said you’re not coming to my house.”
After all was said and done, Judge Judy ruled in favor of Kennedy.
“He had a right to evict you, you violated the lease, what’s next?” said Judy, “Judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $880.00, your counter claim is dismissed.”
All expenses for both parties, including the loser’s fees, were covered by the show.
Judge Judy Made Decision On Rexburg Python Case

This is the kind of irresponsible ownership that just continues to give this hobby a big black eye and one more reason why I never recommend keeping a burmese python as a pet (I know this isn't the forum to be saying that!). Yes, there are some very responsible people who keep them properly and do it for the right reasons but you have a lot of folks just like this case who blatantly violate lease agreements, keep animals in improper enclosures and then have the audacity to sue their landlords....ludicrous. And we wonder why we continue to see bans on keeping large constrictors?

PS: I know how the press can exagerate stories so I am just taking this one at face value realizing that there is probably more to it than meets the eye.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

>>KIFI (Idaho Falls, Idaho) 08 May 06 Judge Judy Made Decision On Rexburg Python Case
>>Judge Judy had plenty to say in the case involving local reptile celebrity Bessy, the Burmese Python that got loose in a Rexburg apartment complex.
>>The case received attention from Judge Judy after Bessy escaped into the walls of her owner’s apartment.
>>Bessy’s owner, Chelsea Carter, filed a lawsuit against her apartment manager, Kevin Kennedy, in March. Kennedy filed a countersuit and the case was sent to Judge Judy’s television courtroom.
>>During the televised proceedings the outspoken judge has plenty to say.
>>“He didn’t make you get rid of her,” Judy said, “The day you wanted to go with your snake, the day they got him out, you take your snake and you go live with your father. He didn’t make you get rid of her; he said you’re not coming to my house.”
>>After all was said and done, Judge Judy ruled in favor of Kennedy.
>>“He had a right to evict you, you violated the lease, what’s next?” said Judy, “Judgment for the plaintiff in the amount of $880.00, your counter claim is dismissed.”
>>All expenses for both parties, including the loser’s fees, were covered by the show.
>>Judge Judy Made Decision On Rexburg Python Case
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I actually agree with you 100%. Even though I sell burmese (amongst other giant species) for a living, I am extremely cautious and conscientious of just who is buying my offspring and how they will care for them and what their future plans are for them. Though, being realistic too I realize that there is a limit to the effectiveness of even my best efforts at having "controls" and failsafes in place that are supposed to ensure responsible ownership of my offspring. But I do the best I can and to date none of my offspring have ended up in the news, eating some old lady's cat or upsetting the balance of the Everglades.

As far as self policing and all that I have been reading the last few weeks....

There have been a lot of great ideas. And I do like the microchip idea a lot. Not that it in and of itself will solve all these "problems" but if it solves 10% of them by making herpers more responsible and breeders more accountable then it has served its purpose and we're in the right direction. A brick at a time builds cathedrals.

The best suggestion (in my humble opinion) is, unfortunately, an impossible to achieve solution. I forget the name of the poster/member (sorry) but the guy that suggested that we all (breeders) take full responsibility in who we sell to to avoid less than fully dedicated herp enthusiasts getting these potential giants in their hands. This would work if it weren't for the "5 and dime factor" breeders and brokers. And it's impossible to somehow shove them out of the equation. The pet store owners with vast overhead that push these species at 50 to 100 bucks to anyone with the dough so that they can make a sale and pay their rent or electric bill. I have to say openly that I feel the VAST majority of these reptile brokers are just businessmen moving a product. If it weren't reptiles it could be pianos or antiques. They just move a commodity. They couldn't care less about the animals or what happens to them after they make their sale. They don't care if some kid gets taken by the face 2 years later by a 15 foot burm that is suddenly in a bad mood. All they care about is making that sale. These reptile peddlers disgust me and I wish they didn't exist. But they do. And there's nothing any of us can do about it. This is where I feel the root of the problem of large species in the wrong hands lies.

I have a thousand more thoughts on this disturbing issue but this post has gotten long enough. I will post more thoughts in follow up posts if anyone is interested in any more of my thoughts on the subject.

Thanks for reading.
Our Website

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David Beauchemin
High End Herps.Inc
http://HighEndHerps.com

David, I know your frustrations; many years ago when I was a serious burm breeder, I, too, felt like I was put in the same mix as those who were just in it for the quick buck...it became very disenchanting and I decided to pursue my herpetological interests in different arenas which has paid many wonderful dividends. There is no easy solution and if we lived in an ideal world where all breeders closely screened prospective customers, we wouldn't have nearly the problems we have now. Like you said, just one brick at a time (or is that referring to the idiot burm owners who are screwing it up for the responsible ones!)

>>I actually agree with you 100%. Even though I sell burmese (amongst other giant species) for a living, I am extremely cautious and conscientious of just who is buying my offspring and how they will care for them and what their future plans are for them. Though, being realistic too I realize that there is a limit to the effectiveness of even my best efforts at having "controls" and failsafes in place that are supposed to ensure responsible ownership of my offspring. But I do the best I can and to date none of my offspring have ended up in the news, eating some old lady's cat or upsetting the balance of the Everglades.
>>
>>As far as self policing and all that I have been reading the last few weeks....
>>
>>There have been a lot of great ideas. And I do like the microchip idea a lot. Not that it in and of itself will solve all these "problems" but if it solves 10% of them by making herpers more responsible and breeders more accountable then it has served its purpose and we're in the right direction. A brick at a time builds cathedrals.
>>
>>The best suggestion (in my humble opinion) is, unfortunately, an impossible to achieve solution. I forget the name of the poster/member (sorry) but the guy that suggested that we all (breeders) take full responsibility in who we sell to to avoid less than fully dedicated herp enthusiasts getting these potential giants in their hands. This would work if it weren't for the "5 and dime factor" breeders and brokers. And it's impossible to somehow shove them out of the equation. The pet store owners with vast overhead that push these species at 50 to 100 bucks to anyone with the dough so that they can make a sale and pay their rent or electric bill. I have to say openly that I feel the VAST majority of these reptile brokers are just businessmen moving a product. If it weren't reptiles it could be pianos or antiques. They just move a commodity. They couldn't care less about the animals or what happens to them after they make their sale. They don't care if some kid gets taken by the face 2 years later by a 15 foot burm that is suddenly in a bad mood. All they care about is making that sale. These reptile peddlers disgust me and I wish they didn't exist. But they do. And there's nothing any of us can do about it. This is where I feel the root of the problem of large species in the wrong hands lies.
>>
>>I have a thousand more thoughts on this disturbing issue but this post has gotten long enough. I will post more thoughts in follow up posts if anyone is interested in any more of my thoughts on the subject.
>>
>>Thanks for reading.
>>Our Website
>>
>>-----
>>David Beauchemin
>>High End Herps.Inc
>>http://HighEndHerps.com
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Who cares what "Judge Judy" thinks about anything? Another bonehead with a python. Feel sorry for the snake.

Not that I don't agree with judge Judy, but if that women ate coal she would crap diamonds. The peoples court is way better anyways.