Venomous - to keep or not to keep

[infernalis]

I may get flamed down for this, BUT....

Here in the US you are required to have a license for a handgun, and improper handling of hots will kill you just as dead as the handgun will...

So I do feel that if a person desires keeping such animals, they should have to undergo the same strict requirements as owning a glock.

There is also that risk that if said snake were to escape in a multi family dwelling or a populated neighborhood... I don't think I need say anymore.

YES - certain people with common sense and some education can properly care for venomous snakes, but by the same token, anyone with some money can have a cobra delivered to their front door in 24 hours with a single paypal transaction.

And not exactly all of the people who can click a mouse and enter a bank account number have the common sense or intelligence to handle the animal they just bought.

The worst case scenario for a fool with a python is the snake winds up dead.. The worst case scenario with a hot is a human winds up dead.

Sure, there would be one less fool on the planet to reproduce and spread that stupid gene, however it's the innocent bystanders (children, neighbors, spouse) that I care about.

[totheend]

Originally Posted by Damion930

Even though truly I belive if some dope wants to get him/herself bit and potentially killed so be it they excepted the risk when they made the decision to keep a venoms animal. Others should not be punished for the mistakes someone else has made.

The problem is not the animals just killing the owner....what about innocent people that get killed from some idiots poor handling/keeping practices?

And the hobby as a whole pays the price of others mistakes....that is why bylaws get passed.

[totheend]

Originally Posted by infernalis

I may get flamed down for this, BUT....

Here in the US you are required to have a license for a handgun, and improper handling of hots will kill you just as dead as the handgun will...

So I do feel that if a person desires keeping such animals, they should have to undergo the same strict requirements as owning a glock.

There is also that risk that if said snake were to escape in a multi family dwelling or a populated neighborhood... I don't think I need say anymore.

YES - certain people with common sense and some education can properly care for venomous snakes, but by the same token, anyone with some money can have a cobra delivered to their front door in 24 hours with a single paypal transaction.

And not exactly all of the people who can click a mouse and enter a bank account number have the common sense or intelligence to handle the animal they just bought.

The worst case scenario for a fool with a python is the snake winds up dead.. The worst case scenario with a hot is a human winds up dead.

Sure, there would be one less fool on the planet to reproduce and spread that stupid gene, however it's the innocent bystanders (children, neighbors, spouse) that I care about.

Agree ..........

[percey39]

Originally Posted by infernalis

I may get flamed down for this, BUT....

Here in the US you are required to have a license for a handgun, and improper handling of hots will kill you just as dead as the handgun will...

So I do feel that if a person desires keeping such animals, they should have to undergo the same strict requirements as owning a glock.

There is also that risk that if said snake were to escape in a multi family dwelling or a populated neighborhood... I don't think I need say anymore.

YES - certain people with common sense and some education can properly care for venomous snakes, but by the same token, anyone with some money can have a cobra delivered to their front door in 24 hours with a single paypal transaction.

And not exactly all of the people who can click a mouse and enter a bank account number have the common sense or intelligence to handle the animal they just bought.

The worst case scenario for a fool with a python is the snake winds up dead.. The worst case scenario with a hot is a human winds up dead.

Sure, there would be one less fool on the planet to reproduce and spread that stupid gene, however it's the innocent bystanders (children, neighbors, spouse) that I care about.

Some good points raised Wayne, i completely agree with the licensing system. I do however disagree with the statement about pythons though. Any 3m constrictor can easily kill a human being. Now i see so many photo's of people with 3m+ animals around their shoulders. Some people say free handling hots is stupid but so is putting large constrictors round your neck. As i have stated before there is always antivenoms for hot bites but there is no antivenom or cure for lack of oxygen!

I have neighbours with young children living next door on all sides of my house. I let my hot's cruise around in a certain area of the lawn with strict supervision of course. I know that many would frown apon this but i am competent in stopping an animal trying to make a 10m get away. I will also be looking at making some outdoor enclosures to keep some of my animals perminently outside. This i will be discussing with my neighbours as i feel they have a right to know where abouts i plan to put these pits.

None of this is meant to come across as arguementitive so please dont take it that way.

[percey39]

Originally Posted by totheend

The problem is not the animals just killing the owner....what about innocent people that get killed from some idiots poor handling/keeping practices?

I dont understand the meaning of this statement? Bad keeping coupled with educating the public is a whole other topic which i feel very strongly about. Demonstrations should be left to qualified and certified competent people in my eye's, but many others have different ideas. I dont mind private demo's to friends or something like that but public demo's are a whole other area.

[infernalis]

I agree, maybe the python was a poor example.

[totheend]

Originally Posted by percey39

I dont understand the meaning of this statement?

An escapee has potential of hurting other people besides the owner.....

[percey39]

Thanks for furthering and explaining totheend. I agree thats why its compulsory to have a fully sealed and locked escape proof room over here when keeping hot's. I believe this should be a rule/law when owning hot's.

I know where you were coming from Wayne but just had to say that mate.

[Sapphyr]

Agree with Wayne's points and Percey's thing with hots+large constrictors. Also with licensing, but I swore everyone needed licensing for hots.. I'm guessing you don't in some areas? And by Wayne's statement, I guess some people that buy hots online via Paypal or some other services aren't checked for a license showing they're fully capable of being responsible with such an animal?

[Damion930]

I think the problem sapphyr is that in somplaces you can pay for a licence but ther is no educational requirements or certification proving your abilities to properly handle and keep them. I think its a misleading belief that if they are responsible enough to get a license then they must have educated themselves and be responsible enough to safely keep them.

[Sapphyr]

Ohhhh... Wow, really? That's a shame.. They should really clean up the licensing thing then. It's terrible to think some people have a license but may not even have knowledge on how to properly handle, house, etc. such an animal. :c They need some sort of test to prove you're educated enough or have a series of classes with a test at the end to make sure you've absorbed the information given and know the risks and needs.

[Lankyrob]

In the Uk to keep non venomous snakes is easy, to get hots you require not only training and exam passes to get a license but you are also inspected randomly at least once per year to ensure that your husbandry, handling techniques and security for the animals and humans are all top notch. The regulations go as far as you having to have a notice outside of the house stating that venomous animals are being kept inside as well as on your snake room door (they must be kept behind a locked door within the house) and also on each cage there must be a large clear sticker stating what the snake is and that it is venomous.

Yes i would like to keep venomous snakes in the future. I already have a mentor lined up who luckily for me is also an experienced tutor for those looking for a license to keep hots.

I wont have them in the house until my daughter is at least in her teen years and maybe not until she has left home.

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by Sapphyr

I swore everyone needed licensing for hots.. I'm guessing you don't in some areas? And by Wayne's statement, I guess some people that buy hots online via Paypal or some other services aren't checked for a license showing they're fully capable of being responsible with such an animal?

Here is a page from a popular classified ad service... anyone with money can order.. and this is just the cobra listing! the viper listings had 49 ads.

The listings with gaboons, bushmasters & puff adders has another 34 ads.

Total, that is nearly 100 advertisements for the worlds deadliest snakes that anyone with a bit of cash can order.

[Jendee]

I don't agree with keeping hots, even with a license things happen. What if you get bit and your by yourself. Why risk it because its a beautiful snake and you just have to have it?? Or even with someone there alot of venomous snakes have limb deteriorating ingredients, I think keeping my fingers is more important Obviously some hots are needed for scientific or anti venom reason but as far as the hobbyist goes I thinks it naive to think your safe.

[Jendee]

see one of the reason I dont think keeping hots is a good idea..this is from a rattle snake bite..they had to remove all damaged tissue from the arm..and close it back up over several months according to the article