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SUN-HERALD (Biloxi, Mississippi) 18 October 04 Escaped snake prompts petitions (Ryan LaFontaine)
Bay St. Louis: Some residents spent four sleepless nights last month, worrying about the whereabouts of a snake on the loose.
And not your normal South Mississippi serpent, but a 17-foot Burmese python.
The 110-pound snake escaped from a Union Street apartment, sending police and animal control officers combing through the neighborhood.
It was found in the attic of the apartment building, but its four-day disappearance has prompted residents to ask city officials for help.
Neighborhood residents were circulating petitions last week, hoping to sway a vote by the City Council to adopt an ordinance against owning dangerous animals.
Readers have recently called The Sun Herald's Sound Off line asking for information about the petition process: The petitions are only open to Bay St. Louis residents. To find out where to sign, call 342-0706.
It is legal to own exotic pets in Mississippi, but owners must have a license or permit.
Tuesday night, City Council members will review the petitions and hear concerns from the public at the Bay St. Louis City Hall, beginning at 7 p.m.
Escaped snake prompts petitions

"Neighborhood residents were circulating petitions last week, hoping to sway a vote by the City Council to adopt an ordinance against owning dangerous animals."

how are they going to define dangerous animals...dogs can be dangerous they gonna ban those cause irresponsible owners let them roam the neighborhood..i have to chase other peoples dogs out of my front yard all the time.....we dont need more laws, we need more responsible people..

Jason

SUN HERALD (Biloxi, Mississippi) 20 October 04 Snake law will take time (Ryan Lafontaine)
Bay St. Louis: Residents will have to wait at least another month for the City Council to fashion an ordinance governing the ownership of dangerous animals.
Residents living near Union Street were haunted for four days last month by a 17-foot Burmese python, after it escaped from a nearby apartment building.
The 110-pound fugitive prompted Paulette White, who lives next door to the apartment building, to lead a campaign against owning exotic animals.
"If you lived in our neighborhood last month," White said, "you were absolutely terrorized."
While presenting petitions, signed by more than 180 people, to the Council at its Tuesday night meeting, White said residents want to ensure proper care for the animals and to protect the citizens.
She also expressed concern about the way the city will be perceived by would-be tourists if a similar situation ever happened again.
"We want something drawn up that would protect all of us," she said. "This story hit national news last month. It was in USA Today and even on CNN, and we need to preserve the city's reputation."
City officials said they have researched other cities' policies to find a solution that is fair, but they want to continue looking at options before adopting an ordinance.
"I'm scared of a 6-inch green snake, much less a 17-foot python," Ward 4 Councilman Bobby Compretta said. "I think we should have something prepared in about four to six weeks."
Snake law will take time

there is some real common sense there.....scared of a 6" green snake..what an idiot

I question whether the guy who was keeping the Burm has any business keeping a 17-foot snake. My main concern is not for the neighbors -- I very seriously doubt that the Burm was going to harm any of the neighborhood children, although the neighborhood cats might not be safe if she got hungry -- but for the snake. I'd hate to see an innocent snake killed by an equally innocent frightened neighbor because its owner was irresponsible and didn't keep it in a safe place.

Of course he was the problem. Allegedly he kept it in a bathroom and his girlfriend left the door open by accident. An animal, especially this size, has to be in an escape proof cage inside a room that can also be secured and it seems this one wasn't. I believe they should charge this man with neglect of the animal, criminal neglegence against his neighbors, fine him for displacing these families, then slap him for being an idiot. Then, he should have to serve thousands of hours of community service to local animal shelters for the future troubles that will be incurred due to his negligence. Due to the press received, and let's face it - a 17 foot burm is nothing to sneeze at, and the lack of knowledge of most people about snakes, the hobby as a whole will suffer because of what one person didn't do. And whoever said one person couldn't make a difference?
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DZ
1.0.0 Burm, Moses
0.0.2 Ball, Chico & Chewy (rescue, many scars)
0.2.0 Cats, Merideth & Hannah
1.0.0 Black Chow, Pivo RIP Oct 23
Lotsa fish
1.4.0 Rats
0.2.0 Humans (a little obnoxious though)

I hear that. I cringe when I read some of the Venomous Herp forums. (To be honest, I often read them for laughs... I'm amazed at how many seriously dangerous snakes are being kept by people who shouldn't be trusted with hamsters). Responsible owners wind up paying the penalty for people who get hurt thanks to their own dehydrated rock-hard stupidity.

Sorry about your recent loss, btw. A friend of mine just lost his black Chow, which was one of the sweetest and most loving dogs I've ever met. Pivo was lucky to have such a caring and dedicated owner.

Thanx Man! It's been a few days now and it's gettin easier. I have a black table in my back yard. I saw it through the fence as I was ascending the rear steps and I thought it was him. Everyone tells me how chows are so aggressive and mean. That may be but mine wasn't. He didn't shed and he was suited for living outside. I am allergic to dogs but I'm stuck on chows! Before Pivo I was against even owning a dog. I figured whatever life we could give him had to be better than what he was living. The next one I get will be another black chow (I also like how you can't see them at night). I'm already planning on how pampered and involved this one will be. Still gotta wait though out of respect for my buddy!
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DZ
1.0.0 Burm, Moses
0.0.2 Ball, Chico & Chewy (rescue, many scars)
0.2.0 Cats, Merideth & Hannah
1.0.0 Black Chow, Pivo RIP Oct 23
Lotsa fish
1.4.0 Rats
0.2.0 Humans (a little obnoxious though)