This sounds kind of horrible...the things people come up with?

[Spaghetti]

So...I was visiting my mother again in my hometown, and decided to go to a new exotic pet shop in detroit, since I was in the area.

I ended up speaking at length to one of the patrons of the store about giant snakes. He had several burms, and since I myself was recently bitten by the giant python bug, I just had to tell him about Joe.

I told him about how I was being really careful, hook-training him, establishing a feeding routine that will help me stay safe when he's 12ft+, etc.

And then, he told me he had some advice for me (and being the bright-eyed, enthusiastic person I am, I was all ears) for keeping burms. He told me to buy a stock prod.

I was like, WTF?!

He said that it's good for moving them around, like when you have to transport to a vet.

Personally, I think it sounds a bit cruel...and counter-productive. I can understand the logic behind having your helper carrying one when you are handling the snake, in case of an attack, but I can't fathom using something like that on a snake for any purpose other than self defense.

Snakes aren't like cattle and pigs...I would think that instead of fleeing from the shock, they would get annoyed and attempt to bite it, wouldn't they?

Maybe he was pulling my leg...God, I really hope he was pulling my leg.

Had to share that with ya'll...couldn't let a good pet shop-crazy-dude-story fall on the uncaring ears of family and non-reptile-forum friends

[Lankyrob]

That is pretty disgusting.

just a thought, if your snake wraps you up and your helper shocks it would the shock not transfer to you too?

[exwizard]

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

That is pretty disgusting.

just a thought, if your snake wraps you up and your helper shocks it would the shock not transfer to you too?

Good point

[CK SandBoas]

How would that store owner like it if we had to use a Cattle Prod on him to get him to the doctors, or if he wasn't moving fast enough to help a customer?

[CDN_Blood]

It's a business. Businesses focus on profit, not care.

[Rogue628]

Un-freakin'-real. Wouldn't that be considered cruelty to animals?

Definitely NOT even a remotely good way of handling a big animal. I hope to GOD for the sake of his animals, he was only messing with you. But even that's taking it too far, IMO.

[exwizard]

Originally Posted by Spaghetti

So...I was visiting my mother again in my hometown, and decided to go to a new exotic pet shop in detroit, since I was in the area.

I ended up speaking at length to one of the patrons of the store about giant snakes. He had several burms, and since I myself was recently bitten by the giant python bug, I just had to tell him about Joe.

I told him about how I was being really careful, hook-training him, establishing a feeding routine that will help me stay safe when he's 12ft+, etc.

And then, he told me he had some advice for me (and being the bright-eyed, enthusiastic person I am, I was all ears) for keeping burms. He told me to buy a stock prod.

I was like, WTF?!

He said that it's good for moving them around, like when you have to transport to a vet.

Personally, I think it sounds a bit cruel...and counter-productive. I can understand the logic behind having your helper carrying one when you are handling the snake, in case of an attack, but I can't fathom using something like that on a snake for any purpose other than self defense.

Snakes aren't like cattle and pigs...I would think that instead of fleeing from the shock, they would get annoyed and attempt to bite it, wouldn't they?

Maybe he was pulling my leg...God, I really hope he was pulling my leg.

Had to share that with ya'll...couldn't let a good pet shop-crazy-dude-story fall on the uncaring ears of family and non-reptile-forum friends

This was not the store owner but one of the patrons aka customer. Its still no less cruel but I wanted to point this fact out. In any case, I find it apalling that anyone can even think of doing such a thing.

[KSTAR]

What an idiot....I won't ever...

[KORBIN5895]

Originally Posted by exwizard

This was not the store owner but one of the patrons aka customer. Its still no less cruel but I wanted to point this fact out. In any case, I find it apalling that anyone can even think of doing such a thing.

Thanks for saving me the time.

I had a 300,000 volt cattle prod at school. It was used on several people to no Ill affect. Someone even got me once. Kinda funny to watch too.

[Terranaut]

Future Darwin award winner. Should read about how he zapped his retic and it kills him.

[jaleely]

Idiots. Wouldn't surprise me at all if it was true though. Gah.

[Spaghetti]

I had a 300,000 volt cattle prod at school. It was used on several people to no Ill affect. Someone even got me once. Kinda funny to watch too.

But the people know that it won't hurt them...the snake has no idea, it thinks it's under attack.

Should read about how he zapped his retic and it kills him.

My thoughts exactly. I mean, if I was a giant snake and someone did that to me...I'd be pretty ticked off.

[shaunyboy]

even if he was joking,what if he cracks the same joke to a newbie,or worse,one of them " look at me,i've got a big snake " type of guy,they may take it litterally

if he was serious,then someone needs to shove a cattle prod up his arse ,to see how he feels,when he''s shocked by it,he should also give up keeping reptiles

guy sounds like a bit of an idiot either way

cheers shaun

[Spaghetti]

I had a 300,000 volt cattle prod at school. It was used on several people to no Ill affect. Someone even got me once. Kinda funny to watch too.

But the people know that it won't hurt them...the snake has no idea, it thinks it's under attack.

Should read about how he zapped his retic and it kills him.

My thoughts exactly. I mean, if I was a giant snake and someone did that to me...I'd be pretty ticked off.

[dawnhorn]

The guy definitely does not sound too bright. If he really thinks he needs to use a cattle prod to get his snakes to cooperate then he really shouldn't own them...he should give them to someone better able to handle them.