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A few years ago on the snakefeeders list I had words with an uppity woman who stated in her ad for rabbits that she would not sell any live rabbits to people with snakes because we were barbarians that inflicted cruel treatment on live prey animals- like breaking their legs and leaving them to die in a snake's cage overnight. That statement as well as my obsession for humane treatment of prey and premium diet for my snakes got me into breeding rabbits. I told her she was a hipocrite- thinking we were nasty people but still seeking us out as customers.

I treat my animals whether prey or predator the same. I show the prey as much respect as I can- they are not things after all. They are sentient beings capable of feeling pain. That they are lower on the food chain than my snakes or me doesn't translate into permission to treat them as "less than."
Now, my question. Was I wrong when I defended snake keepers in general from the accusations made my that woman? Do some of us actually break the legs of rabbits or rats or otherwise ingflict suffering or prolong their deaths simply because they are prey?
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Marcia Pimentel
Tango River Reptiles
GiantFeeders

Personally, I will only feed my snakes prey that have been put down by CO2 asphyxiation - whether by my own hand, or by the rodent breeders themselves. This is the only method I can be comfortable with as being humane to the prey animal.

I can only say that if I was to ever witness a person breaking the legs of a prey animal and leaving it in a snake's cage to die overnight - well, I'll refrain from mentioning what I would do to that person on the grounds that I may set myself up for the consequences of criminal prosecution. To put it lightly, I would do very bad things to that person. It's ridiculous to even consider the thought of it - in my opinion.

My 2-1/2 cents,
- Mark

I can't see any adult or mature youngster doing anything like that. But when I was younger I did have friends that would think nothing of the suffering of the prey animal, be it a mouse, rat or rabbit. Even I had my cruel moments when I was very young, and thus stupid. I suppose that is partly responsible for taking even greater care now and the last 15 years or so to not cause the prey animals any undue stress or pain or fear. It is my own penitence I suppose. And rightly so. But I will never get used to having to do it and it will never be easy for me. It is the toughest part of the job for me and it always breaks my heart each week and sometimes each day.

And antegy,.. I would be right there with you if I saw someone doing that to a rabbit or any other animal. That person would have to live out the rest of their life wearing leg braces after 12 years of intensive physical therapy.

>>A few years ago on the snakefeeders list I had words with an uppity woman who stated in her ad for rabbits that she would not sell any live rabbits to people with snakes because we were barbarians that inflicted cruel treatment on live prey animals- like breaking their legs and leaving them to die in a snake's cage overnight. That statement as well as my obsession for humane treatment of prey and premium diet for my snakes got me into breeding rabbits. I told her she was a hipocrite- thinking we were nasty people but still seeking us out as customers.
>>
>>I treat my animals whether prey or predator the same. I show the prey as much respect as I can- they are not things after all. They are sentient beings capable of feeling pain. That they are lower on the food chain than my snakes or me doesn't translate into permission to treat them as "less than."
>>Now, my question. Was I wrong when I defended snake keepers in general from the accusations made my that woman? Do some of us actually break the legs of rabbits or rats or otherwise ingflict suffering or prolong their deaths simply because they are prey?
>>-----
>>Marcia Pimentel
>>Tango River Reptiles
>>GiantFeeders
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It isn't "Ideas" that fail or succeed,... it is the "Systems" which are instilled to launch and sustain the idea that either fail or succeed.>[Me.]

I have never heard things like that, but I have not been around long enough, I have heard other things but nothing like that. I personally hate to kill the rats or even knock them out. It makes me sad, and I can't beleive I do it, but the place that I buy mine from,I have them kill it for me. But I have to knock them out myself, and I feel bad, I am soft when it comes to that. I am glad to see others feel the same way. Here is somthing that will make you sick, and someone found on the net and that was somone put a rat in a piranah tank, and I guess you saw one leg go and then the tail and then another leg. I dont see the fun in that. I wish I could have stuck there hand in there and watch each finger go. That is mutilation and sick. I remember the first time I had to kill a mouse for a snake after that I could not eat and went to bed. So the responsible snake keepers respect all animals.

I've waited to see if others chimed in- silence is hard to interpret- but these are the type of responses that I was hoping for/ Animal lovers are animal lovers. For me the pain of having to kill perfectly healthy animals is only eased by knowing that my reptiles need them to survive. It is hands down the worst time I have keeping snakes, but I kill them as humanely and quickly as I can. Hearing stories of snake keepers doing horrendous things to live prey turn my stomach.
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Marcia Pimentel
Tango River Reptiles
GiantFeeders