BRADENTON HERALD (Florida) 08 February 08 Animal cruelty - Don't abandon any pet in wild
We're not big fans of snakes, and we're certainly not big fans of big snakes - especially as pets.
And we're virulently opposed to irresponsible pet owners who abandon their critters, be they cats, dogs or snakes, out in the wild.
But ditching a 13-foot-long python? Which could be a threat to other creatures and humans?
What a thoughtless and selfish act.
This reticulated python, though not venomous, can produce a rather painful bite with a mouthful of teeth. And the Asian native could literally squeeze the life out of someone while wrapped around the neck. This species of python is also the longest in the world, reportedly growing up to 33 feet, according to Justin Matthews, of Matthews Wildlife Rescue.
Since nobody's screaming about such a beast escaping home sweet home - at least nobody yet with a credible story - we must figure the snake got dumped. Mr. Snake Dude, did you know it's illegal to release these snakes in the wild?
Matthews snared the python, nicknamed the "Wal-Mart snake," in a culvert near Morgan Johnson Road off State Road 64 on Monday.
This is not an isolated incident. Tales of exotic wildlife abandoned in our neighborhoods are all too common.
Four months ago, Matthews picked up a 5-foot-long iguana at the corner of Cortez Road and 59th Street. Some creep had put two bullet holes in the tough critter.
A year ago, he rescued an African spurthigh tortoise, native to the deserts of Africa, from alongside Ellenton-Gillette Road. The tortoise, which now weighs 70 pounds, can live well past the century mark.
Two years ago, Matthews found a Columbia red tail boa constrictor curled up on Coquina Beach. The snake's just shy of 8 feet long now.
People interested in exotic animals must get educated about them before acquiring one. They need to know how big the pet will get, how long it will live and how much it eats, and that's just for starters.
A new state law that went into effect in January mandates more responsibilty from anyone who owns one of six species labeled "reptiles of concern" - including Burmese pythons, green anacondas and Nile monitors along with reticulated pythons.
Regulations require that microchips be implanted into the pet to help with identification - thus, dumping would not be tolerated. The offender would be found. And in all likelihood, fined.
Pet buyers must be 18 years old, pay an annual $100 fee, complete a questionnaire, apply for a state permit and follow caging rules.
That should cut down on the abandonment of giant snakes.
Matthews has had two calls from people claiming ownership of the Wal-Mart snake, one from Lake Wales and the other from Sun City Center. Both sound fishy, he says. One caller maintained the snake had a scar but Matthews says it doesn't.
The wildlife rehabilitator keeps some of the creatures he saves - the count is now 18. He shows off the animals at Mixon's Fruit Farm during his many educational presentations. Unfortunately, the wildlife he cannot place with zoos or individuals must be euthanized.
The day he snagged the snake, Matthews took it over to Dr. Mike Mossler, of Bayshore Animal Hospital. Mossler put a microchip into the python.
For years, Mossler has dedicated himself to wildlife rescue. Manatee County is blessed to have people devoted to animal welfare like Mossler and Matthews. Our hat's off to both.
But a kick in the rear to all who abandon pets. It's inhumane.
If you're in over your head with an exotic creature, find someone who can take it off your hands. Someone like Justin Matthews. He can be reached at 812-1771.
Animal cruelty - Don't abandon any pet in wild