Reptile & Amphibian Forums

To Whom It May Concern.

I am looking for commitments to a reward leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) that released the Burmese Python(s) in Tampa, Florida this past week. I have a commitment of $1000.00 from Ballroom Pythons South and $1000.00 from Reptile Industries to start it off, as well as, a commitment from FWC law enforcement to distribute flyers and information to the area to search for the offenders.

It is my, and other industry professional’s, belief that this animal(s) were released, not buy a pet owner, but by a criminal with intent to further the legislation of banning large constrictors in the US.

Any commitment must be solid so it can aid in an arrest and conviction, so do not commit to it if you can not follow through. We will only be paying the reward if they catch the perpetrator(s) and convict them of Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) Reptile of Concern violations including, but not limited to, the escape, release and/or illegal keeping and housing of a non-licensed ROC, non-microchipped ROC over 2 inches in diameter and all the other ROC rules, including possible federal Lacey Act violations if the animal was illegally brought into the state. We are trying to raise enough money to make sure that whoever knows about the snakes release or escape comes foreword to claim their reward and to send a message that the reptile industry will not tolerate the release of non-native species.

We will be sending our commitment letter and numbers to FWC at noon on 12-11-09.

We appreciate any commitment to saving our industry that you can manage.

Please send commitment letters to Michael Cole at ballroom@tampabay.rr.com and I will be the liaison to the FWC officer in charge.
Feel free to comment on this forum but you must e-mail your commitments to me to be counted.

To view the story click on the link below:

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/dec/07/071025/12-foot-python-captured-authorities-port-tampa/news-metro/

Thanks,
Michael Cole
Ballroom Pythons South
www.BallroomPythonsSouth.com
863-439-3015
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Michael Cole
Ballroom Pythons South
863-439-3015
WWW.BallroomPythonsSouth.com

We have raised 3050.00 for A reward so far. You still have till noon today to get your donation commitment made to ballroom@tampabay.rr.com
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Michael Cole
Ballroom Pythons South
863-439-3015
WWW.BallroomPythonsSouth.com

$3050.00, that is all the donations. We should all be ashamed. This fund started with $1000 from Michael Cole, who by the way is a great guy, but not a rich guy. It also had a $1000 from Reptile Industries, (Mark and Kim Bell) also wonderful people.

I added a small donation of $100. (I'm not a rich guy either)

Before seeing this post here I received an e-mail request from Wayne Hill who runs the Daytona Expo, he had sent it to his extensive e-mail contact list. With all of the people he contacted and the posts on the forums I sure thought the fund would be huge. I thought there would be so much money in the fund that they might not want to even offer up that much of a reward, why give away 20k when 10K could get the same results.

Remember they aren't going to give away the money unless there is a CONVICTION.

Come on folks chip in a little. It is easy to squawk on a forum and so forth, but now is the time for action and a little cash. With all of the people here, $25-$50 would add up fast. It would be a small price to pay to see someone convicted for letting a python loose for the purpose of bad reptile publicity.

Rewards work. A major breeder who had snakes stolen won a large sum from the court after posting a reward.

wish it could be more

Did you e-mail the pledge to Mike, that is the only way it counts.

Also, to everyone making calls to their local Senators, kill them with kindness. Perception of reptile keepers is not great. If you get a face to face meeting, wear a suit, look professional and be kind. Kill them with kindness, befriend these people so that they can understand who you are and what you stand for. The main issue here is irresponsible reptile ownership, show them you and 99% of reptile keepers are responsible and respectful. My thoughts.

I sent a letter of commitment. Come on reptile community . . . let's make some commitments.
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Alice Cobb
Florida Reptile Room

I pledged my commitment. Doesn't matter how large if alot of people pledge. As we all say, help in any way you can.

Richard
High Seas Reptiles
www.highseasreptiles.com

Add me to the list. Im happy to donate!

COME ON PEOPLE......we have to nail these people and their affilation.....REWARD MONEYS WORK!!!! We need to start an all out attack on these extremest organizations.....Not to mention lets help our friends in Florida who have been fighting their hearts out!!!! I just forwarded my email to Michael with an $800.00 committment. Thank you...Marc Bailey

Due to time constraints I will put out a report after the deadline on the commitments etc. . We are over 10k thanks for the passion. We need more to get this on national news coverage. So keep those 50's and 100's coming. Do not send Money we only need that when this person(s) are conviscted of wildlife and ROC violations...
Send commitment letters to
ballroom@tampabay.rr.com
Noon is our deadline to contact FWC on this matter . After that we will still be able to update he reward but the number at noon is the one that will be public...
Michael
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Michael Cole
Ballroom Pythons South
863-439-3015
WWW.BallroomPythonsSouth.com

Just sent $100 commitment letter