More bad Press!!! In the Chicago area too, great timing.

[Mike177]

No tickets were issued to the owner for letting his snake get loose, and that prompted Beard to suggest the South Elgin village board consider enacting stricter laws to penalize pet owners who don't keep them restrained.

i can agree 100% with that! if cities have problem with snakes getting lose they should punish the owner insted of just completely banning an entire family of snakes. on another point how did this snake get out of his house? or even out of the room the snake was in? it seems like it would be pretty hard for a 6 foot bci (or bcc) to slide under a door crack??? this escape could have been easly prevented but hey, we are all human and we will all make mistakes some of use might not make as big of mistakes as others but a mistake is a mistake none the less.

[Mike177]

Ultimately, officers used pepper spray to daze the serpent and remove it.

i am not shure what is in pepper spray but could that cause any long term damage???

[Samba]

Wow, this turned into quite an interesting debate! I wanted to share the story of my snake, Bandula, and how I came to own him.

For those of you who don't know, I run Samba's Reptile Rescue in New Mexico. One day I received a call from a woman who had found a large snake near the UNM campus, and she was afraid that it had escaped from a student's dorm room. She bravely caught this (thankfully docile) creature and called me to come pick him up. Unfortunately, in trying to find someone to pick him up, she'd called the Humane Society as well. They came to investigate shortly after I arrived and they wanted to remove this beautiful, innocent, tame and outgoing animal so that it could be euthanized. This snake wasn't even going to get the CHANCE to be claimed by his owner, or find a new home. I talked them into letting me take this gorgeous burmese python with the intent of finding him a home with someone who was experienced and who could house such an animal. I fell in love with this animal, and I feel pity for the previous owner because they did lose a uniquly personable pet. (He's MINE now!!!!) ::evil grin:: J/K

It has been speculated that the python escaped from his enclosure, or was set free by the owner.... In either case the owner would seem neglectful and undeserving of such a pet. Had Bandula, (as I later named him), been an aggressive or fearful animal he might have easily hurt or even killed someone. (At the time of his 'capture' he was 9 feet in length). This is the reason why we should lobby for bans on 'unapproved' reptile owners. Reptiles themselves make great pets, and aren't the problems... the owners are. I agree with Chuck 100% in that it is our responsibility to make sure that no one comes into contact with our animals if they do not wish. Stricter laws should been in place regarding WHO can own reptiles, not WHAT reptiles are deemed 'okay.' Stories like Bandula's terrify people and makes it hard for 'legit' reptile keepers to enjoy their companions of choice.

[Samba]

Mike177 - It can cause both temporary and permenant blindness, respitory and skin irritation in humans. I am not sure of what effects they would have on a snake, but just the same, this measure seems much too extreme in the circumstances provided.

[Invictus]

The thing that infuriated me about the article was the fact that the plumber insinuated that if this snake got near a baby, it would kill the baby. It's this kind of ignorance that is getting herps banned from cities.

But, I agree... I would rather have tougher penalties for irresponsible owners rather than a complete ban for those of us who ARE responsible owners.

[RaVeNo888o]

i agree about what they said about "enacting stricter laws to penalize pet owners who don't keep them restrained"
That makes sense to me..you let them get out, you get penalized, much better than banning all herps to begin with

[SCReptiles]

And when you make a valid point instead of tearing into others for your own personal gain, I will side against you. It's not necessary.

In between his shifts at burger world, Omen made things personal between him and I. He was willing to dish it out, now he has to be willing to take it. The kid means nothing to me, I do not research him, but when I happen across something ignorant that he has spouted out, I will follow up on it. And need I remind you, I followed up here because he was casting dispersions on a man who was in the right and works an honorable profession. I am fairly certain there are some plumbers on this site. I think you should also side with the plumber here. The man spoke the truth. I support you in your struggle against the government up there; I have even emailed the city officials. You defiantly didn’t need this right now. “What if it had gotten to someone’s baby?” Remember that quote, it’s going to haunt you. The democrat battle cry “DO IT FOR THE CHILDREN!!!”

[SCReptiles]

The thing that infuriated me about the article was the fact that the plumber insinuated that if this snake got near a baby, it would kill the baby.

Yeah, it sucks that that statement made it into print. It will come up when the hearing on the ban is held, I assure you of that. The plumber is not a snake keeper and I am sure he thinks that snake would kill a baby. That is why WE have the responsibility to keep our snakes out of his environment. Bear in mind, if the snake had not been in his van, he would not have been quoted in the news.

[Ed_r]

Yes i realize that will be the battle cry.
All Im saying is why not just attack someone in PM. Why bring it out in a public foum, to try and belittle someone?

Nothing against a plumber. Everyone knows about plumbers. its a joke even among plumbers. EVERYONE calls it a Plumbers Crack... BIG DEAL!!!
You have a reputation for having to make everyone look to be dumber than you or that you are better than everyone. Like calling a well respected keeper a drunk. Only reason you retracted it was because he had passed on. Plese try to stick with the actual topic and not to take shots at everyone that disagrees with you. Quite frankly your not that good at it.

[The_Omen]

Wow.. It's amazing that Chuck wants new laws enacted.
I guess it would merely be more for Chuck to break and to tell others to break. I find it funny that you say yes to new laws yet tell people to break them.

From the Hawaii thread.

Yep, I say go underground. Venomous snakes are illegal in TN, luckily I can keep mine in GA, but I know plenty of people in this state with venomous. You can have your friends fed ex them to you the day after you move in and order all the food you need from Rodentpro.com. I am sure he will unmark the box for you if you tell him your situation. I bet there are under ground keepers all over the island. Best of luck to you.

Glad to see you quickly resorted to name calling yet again, Chuck.
Done like a good democrat.


I sense that you dislike me, Chuck...

[SCReptiles]

And quite frankly, even though you do not drive a race car, I still think you are a pole sitter.

[SCReptiles]

Sure I dislike you. What is there to like? Either way I am sure you are used to it. I have no problem with laws that hold keepers accountable. I have problems with outright bans and I am on record as such. If they ban in Chicago, then I will say go underground there. But if they enact laws that keep herpers accountable, I will support that.

[Ed_r]

I still think you are a pole sitter.

Like I said, your really not that good at it. Can't have an inteligent disussion without name calling. Name calling usually stops by the 4th or 5th grade. What will I be called next? a Poopyhead?
Grow up!

[SCReptiles]

I would have no trouble lighting you up, but I will end up with banned under my name, and I wouldn’t be benefited in that now would I. I will continue to follow on any ignorance that you two spout out, and if I get banned for that then so be it. That is the nature of a public forum.

[Matt_K]

Chuck, i suggest reading your private messages, and if you have read it, read it again.. Thread closed..