Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This was in our local paper.
albino python child endangerment

I'd have to say he got what he deserved

As no information is really given how can you say he got what he deserved?
Your childs friend comes over and agree to let him hold your snake. Then he freaks out, runs home and tells mom and dad you put a snake in his hands and he's upset and crying. The police come take your snake, give you a summons and you get a record and lose your right to own reptiles.
I guess somewhere in there you deserved it and the probation, and fine and anger of neighbors.
I know you would never let anyone hold your herps but if you did i'm sure you would get a letter from the parents (notarized).
As far as the drugs the article didn't say anything so i don't kow how that came into play..

While I agree that there's nowhere near enough info to conclude that he "deserved it", it does say that he was ordered to get "substace abuse counceling".

I think we can safely assume that there is more to this story. Perhaps a drunk or stoned guy putting the snake on someone that didn't want it on them...that's a real big guess, but within very broad boundaries of that article.
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Larry D. Fishel
Side effects may include paralysis
and death but are generally mild.

>>...it does say that he was ordered to get "substace abuse counceling".

I think I misunderstood your comment about the drug aspect... Yes the article gives no info about why he was sent to counseling, but I think we can probably assume that a responsible keeper sharing his pet with willing local kids wouldn't be given substance abuse counceling for no reason (well, maybe in Utah).
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Larry D. Fishel
Side effects may include paralysis
and death but are generally mild.

I rarely let anyone handle my snakes that isn't already familiar with snakes. I've shown my animals to a quite a few guests to my home that were curious about them, but unfamiliar with snakes. With only a couple of exceptions over the years, I typically hold the animal myself (if I even remove it from it's cage) and then let them touch it if they want. More often than not, people do want to see them up close and touch them, but if someone doesn't want them out of the cage then they don't come out. As for children, rarely do I have children in my home but they don't handle my snakes when they are...just my own policy, but I'd rather play it safe.

Raven

I respectfully dissagree. Putting a snake as large and powerful as a burmese around someone's neck, especially a child's is never a good idea at the best of times. You're asking for trouble no matter how you look at it. With all the bad publicity that reptiles are getting right now, people have to use their heads. How many places have banned or are trying to ban the keeping of large constrictors. My own city has banned them, so I can no longer keep them. People who take chances like that don't deserve to keep reptiles.