Reptile & Amphibian Forums

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

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