"Ok, OK the burm guy is somewhat at fault!!!!"
Somewhat????
Pray tell, exactly who's responsibility was to make sure that the Burm was secured in it's enclosure???? We are talking about a large potentially dangerous animal not a baby anthill python that slipped though a tiny gap. The fact that a wild animal of that size was not properly secured is nothing short of gross negligence.
No one can fault the snake for doing what is instinctual, but certainly one can fault the keeper who was careless enough to give it the opportunity.
Have you ever owned a dog? I don't think it unreasonable or negligent to let a well trained dog off a lead upon approaching your home... Of course you would not do that if you saw another dog wandering about... Who would ever expect to have to defend their pet against a large snake ambush? Last I checked Burmese are not native to The US
What if it had been a tot? Would it be “70%” the parents fault for not holding the child’s hand all the way to the door of their apartment... or for not making sure she had washed her hands and changed her clothes after playing with Kitty so as not to smell like prey to a large snake???? (GOD FORBID!)
We can delude ourselves that acclimating and accustoming snakes to our presence, is the same as 'taming" or "training" them. I can't help but project my own adoration on to my animals and delude myself that not only do they know their "mamma" but return my affection. Yet, At some level we must acknowledge, understand and accept that these animals can in fact present a threat to the public if not properly cared for in secure housing. Keeping these amazing animals is a privilege, and a responsibility. A privilege that is put at jeopardy every time a keeper's carelessness causes injury.
Ok... I'm done venting now.
-----
"There is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness"
