Reptile & Amphibian Forums

WDIV (Detroit, Michigan) 12 October 04 Troopers Rush Medicine From Detroit To Traverse Snakebite Victim
Traverse City, Michigan: The drive from Detroit to Traverse City normally takes about five hours.
But for state troopers rushing medication to a snakebite victim, it took just 2 hours and 15 minutes.
The victim, a man, came to the emergency room at Traverse City's Munson Medical Center early Sunday after he was bitten by a venomous African Puff Adder.
Poison control authorities called the Detroit Zoo to request an anti-venom compound, and Munson officials called the State Police to set up a relay.
Troopers from five different posts handed the medicine off between Detroit and Traverse City.
Authorities aren't releasing the name of the snakebite victim, and they aren't saying whether he owned the snake.
Troopers Rush Medicine From Detroit To Traverse Snakebite Victim

boys and girls, can you say F-E-D-E-R-A-L B-A-N? I knew you could.
It's only a matter of time.

I dont agree that there will be a federal ban. The feds have to much worry about than the hot herp keeping. If it did become a federal ban, it would just grow into a black market just like the drug trade. People would be still buying, trading, and selling. Like I said before, even if they passed federal bans and such, who would get rid of their animals??

Joe

Check out other countries that have banned exotics. Some get in but many are caught. True law enforcement would not be breaking down doors (?) but if they find them they would take the animals and fine/arrest the person . Swap meets would not be happening and underground sells might increase at first but would drop off.
When importation is stopped and animals become less available the trade will die. Underground trade in drugs is alot different then reptile trade. Having worked drug enforcement I can say that there is more money involved and people will do anything for money.
A permit system is the only way to head off a total ban.

Jim Harrison

I agree completely 100% Jim. I would be all for a permit system if that was the case. I dont mind it all since I have one since Im here in FL.

Joe

You do realize a federal permit system wound override you current one and you would have to apply for two permits annually.

Im all for a Federal system. This might knock down the morons who keep them in states where there are currently no laws.

Who are the morons? The people who've been bitten, or the people who get the animals because it's the cool thing to do? If you feel a moron is a person who is tagged by a venomous snake, than you yourself may be a moron someday. I do agree that a permit system is needed for every state that it's legal to keep hots.
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Chad Bachman

I mean people that keep illegally or without necessary knowledge. I cannot wait to keep them myself but I will do it when I possess the knowledge to increase my safety and the safety of others. I just hope that all this bad media wont make it impossible to keep them one day. And yes, the possibility of a bite is in my mind. They do say everyone will get bit sooner or later, I hope to prove that wrong but we will see.

It's really not difficult not to get bitten, but the second you let your guard down, it will happen. I know people who have kept hots for 30 plus years & never been tagged, but most (myself included) get too cavalier around the animals we work with every day & that is when you realize how easy it is to take a hit.

I think for the most part, that keeping your own AV stock will help to justify our rights to keep hots. It just makes us look more responsible & able to keep these animals. I haven't done this in the past, but I do now, (actually a friend does until I get my permits) and it really makes people look at you as a responsible keeper.
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Chad Bachman

Id like to start a small bank to help not only me but other keepers in my immediate area. Those desiring its use should help me obtain the antivenom. This wont be for some years though, so I havent given it much thought yet, but antivenom is certainly high on my list.

When I have my own AV, anybody needing it is more than welcome to it, (even if I hate them LOL) because I will make sure I have enough on hand to treat two moderate to severe bites.
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Chad Bachman

Hi:

What I would like to know is under what circumstance are all of these bites are occuring. Feeding, cleaning, pinning, etc... Are too many people just taking them out to play? Anybody have any details?

Keep in mind that Matt Harris & I are in the process of setting up a North Eastern A/B bank. More detail to follow but we hope to ease the strain on the zoo's to provide A/V to keepers who don't prepare for having a "really bad day".
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Al

You can take the animal out of the jungle but you can never take the jungle out of the animal.

I don't know how they are happening, but they do happen, it's human nature to make mistakes. Good luck on the AV bank guys, people need it. I will provide my own from now on, but many zoo's will feel comfort in knowing you are trying, and maybe they will stop looking down on the people who keep these animals because we are absolutely obsessed with them, like they were one day long ago.
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Chad Bachman

Chad:

That is one of our basic goals is to help end the strain Zoo's are under.

Cheers!

Al
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Al

You can take the animal out of the jungle but you can never take the jungle out of the animal.

disagree with your disagree...lol. Unfortunately, I do think at some point there will be a federal ban. However, just like current permit systems, I think it will only affect legitimate keepers who have permits like you and I. From what I've seen from the last number of bites is that only a few were keeping snakes legally. So, I agree that snakes will go into the black market. What we need are some stiffer penalties to go with a well rounded and fair permit system, like yours in Florida, and some centrally located AV banks. The most important thing we need.....is for the knitwitt dealers to STOP SELLING TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE PERMITS OR LIVE IN AREAS WHERE VENOMOUS REPTILES ARE ILLEGAL. It's BS to read these ads in the classifieds saying that they are not responsible for your state and local laws.
It's all of our responsiblity because it will affect us all.
I personally feel that the dealers who have been selling hots to people who are not allowed to legally keep these snakes should be held responsible, if applicable.
-tom

venomous snakes became overly popular in the last 5 years or so. i personaly think the "fad" is dying off. there aren't nearly as many shows on tv and i've noticed that snakes seem to be getting cheaper and not selling nearly as fast. I believe as this continues to happen, there will be less and less irresponsible keepers and less bites. I also believe that the bites that will still occur will be less publicized as the public won't be AS interested in them. this is just my theory. chris

Not only do dealers need to stop selling to people where it is illegal to keep hots but they need to use some common sence and try to screen who they sell to a little. Not a back ground check or any thing but if you pick up on something a potential buyer says that strikes you as something a novice would say then ask for references or something. If they were held accountable it would happen. If a person sells drugs to another person and they die the seller is held accountable (it's called manslaughter). Hit one or two dealers with manslaughter and people will show a little more discretion. I realize it's extreme but it will help solve the problem.

At least this conversation was handled respectfully and everyone for the most part agreed on certain issues!!! Brings back good ole memories of the old Venomous fourm days. We all need to stick together whether its bad or good because were in this all together. Geez, I just hope for Matt's sake the Yankees win!!!!! LOL too bad the Marlins arent playing them again

Joe

HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHHHAHAHAHAHH!!!!!