Man's snakes threatened by ignorant neighbors

[XB3LI3V3RX]

http://www.jrn.com/tmj4/news/Neighb...ns-of-snakes-in-condo-292310901.html?lc=Smart

I'm getting really tired of ignorant people trying to push laws on reptile keepers just because of their fears that have no basis whatsoever. This guy has ball pythons...if you know anything about these snakes, then you would know it is physically impossible for these snakes to kill a person or really any animal larger than a rat.

Quote from Ryan McVeigh:

"Please look into more than the one sided, ignorant, emotions of a neighbor before releasing a story. While The owner of the snakes refused to comment, there are PLENTY of knowledgeable, professional, educated people and organizations you can reach out to. The Madison Area Herpetological Society is a great resource, as well as USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers. I am President of MAHS, and am open for comment at any time.

When it comes to the snakes being a health hazard, there is no evidence to back that statement up. Statistically, you are exponentially more likely to get salmonella or any other bacterial infection from the food you eat, than a reptile. Even then, the only way that statistic even matters is if you touch one. When it comes to public safety, there are NO accounts of a BALL PYTHON, which is what this person has, ever killing a person, or even causing significant medical damage to someone. These animals are a small, timid snake that lives 22 of 24 hours of the day hiding in a burrow in their natural habitat. Because of their timid nature, and small size, they are the #1 pet snake in the world. In order to have these snakes available for kids just getting their first pet, they have to be bred, hatched, and raised. The majority of that breeding is done in homes by hobbyists. People like the owner in the story pour countless hours into caring for these creatures, and invest great amounts of money to do this.

There is no harm in this man having 5 snakes, or 100 snakes, especially if they are all being kept in great conditions, are healthy, and there is no smells to bother anyone. It's no different than a person keeping a dozen fish tanks with hundreds of fish. The only thing different is people's perception of snakes vs fish. The fear and ignorance of a few people shouldn't dictate the hobby and livelihood of another person, and I think we can all agree with that. Hopefully the City understands that as well.

Thank you for your time, and feel free to contact me with any questions.
Ryan McVeigh

President and Founder
Madison Area Herpetological Society

 

[South Bound]

Neighbors upset with Slinger man housing dozens of snakes in condo - TODAY'S TMJ4

I'm getting really tired of ignorant people trying to push laws on reptile keepers just because of their fears that have no basis whatsoever. This guy has ball pythons...if you know anything about these snakes, then you would know it is physically impossible for these snakes to kill a person or really any animal larger than a rat.

Quote from Ryan McVeigh:

"Please look into more than the one sided, ignorant, emotions of a neighbor before releasing a story. While The owner of the snakes refused to comment, there are PLENTY of knowledgeable, professional, educated people and organizations you can reach out to. The Madison Area Herpetological Society is a great resource, as well as USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers. I am President of MAHS, and am open for comment at any time.

When it comes to the snakes being a health hazard, there is no evidence to back that statement up. Statistically, you are exponentially more likely to get salmonella or any other bacterial infection from the food you eat, than a reptile. Even then, the only way that statistic even matters is if you touch one. When it comes to public safety, there are NO accounts of a BALL PYTHON, which is what this person has, ever killing a person, or even causing significant medical damage to someone. These animals are a small, timid snake that lives 22 of 24 hours of the day hiding in a burrow in their natural habitat. Because of their timid nature, and small size, they are the #1 pet snake in the world. In order to have these snakes available for kids just getting their first pet, they have to be bred, hatched, and raised. The majority of that breeding is done in homes by hobbyists. People like the owner in the story pour countless hours into caring for these creatures, and invest great amounts of money to do this.

There is no harm in this man having 5 snakes, or 100 snakes, especially if they are all being kept in great conditions, are healthy, and there is no smells to bother anyone. It's no different than a person keeping a dozen fish tanks with hundreds of fish. The only thing different is people's perception of snakes vs fish. The fear and ignorance of a few people shouldn't dictate the hobby and livelihood of another person, and I think we can all agree with that. Hopefully the City understands that as well.

Thank you for your time, and feel free to contact me with any questions.
Ryan McVeigh

President and Founder
Madison Area Herpetological Society

Are you familiar with the current python problem in South Florida?

 

[XB3LI3V3RX]

Are you familiar with the current python problem in South Florida?

The fact that it is very over exaggerated and really has nothing to do with this article. But, yes, I've heard about it.

 

[Aureus]

Are you familiar with the current python problem in South Florida?

Burmese Pythons are not Ball Pythons.

 

[South Bound]

The fact that it is very over exaggerated and really has nothing to do with this article. But, yes, I've heard about it.

Really? How is it "over exaggerated"?

It has to do with the article because it is evidence that snakes actually can be a problem.

Burmese Pythons are not Ball Pythons.

Thanks for chiming in with that. I didn't realize anyone had claimed that they are.

 

[grasping the after wind]

If you can tell people they must buy a product, why wouldn't you be able to tell them they can't buy one? You seem to mistake this country for one where the people running the government believe that citizens have inherent rights.

 

[XB3LI3V3RX]

Really? How is it "over exaggerated"? It has to do with the article because it is evidence that snakes actually can be a problem.

One: As the comment above pointed out the ones in Florida are Burmese pythons that are about triple the size of a BALL python (which are the ones in the article).
Two: Southern Florida is really the only place in all of America that any exotic pythons or boas could survive in. The article says this guy lives in WISCONSIN. It would be nearly impossible for any of these snakes to live more than a few days in that type of climate if any got loose.

Also, I say it is over exaggerated because if you notice all the huge Python hunts they have every year where THOUSANDS of people attend and they only find a few pythons every year and the fact there aren't many scientific studies on this is why I have that opinion. But, as I already stated, this has nothing to do with the post.

 

[South Bound]

One: As the comment above pointed out the ones in Florida are Burmese pythons that are about triple the size of a BALL python (which are the ones in the article).

How is that an "exaggeration" when nobody is claiming otherwise?

Two: Southern Florida is really the only place in all of America that any exotic pythons or boas could survive in. The article says this guy lives in WISCONSIN. It would be nearly impossible for any of these snakes to live more than a few days in that type of climate if any got loose.

But you claimed that the situation in Florida is being "over exaggerated". This has nothing to do with the problem in Florida.

Also, I say it is over exaggerated because if you notice all the huge Python hunts they have every year where THOUSANDS of people attend and they only find a few pythons every year and the fact there aren't many scientific studies on this is why I have that opinion.

How does that make it an exaggeration?

As a hunter, I'd love to have the success you believe I should have every time I go out, but that simply doesn't happen. It would be almost as silly as saying that deer populations aren't a problem because every hunter doesn't come back with a Boone and Crockett trophy buck.

But, as I already stated, this has nothing to do with the post.

And as I explained, it does have to do with the post because it illustrates how snakes can become a nuisance and a hazard.

 

[keith99]

I find it sad that the ball python is the number 1 snake as a pet.

Back when I was a kid and dinosaurs rules the earth it was the common garter snake.

Something the kid went out and caught himself.

That seems gone these days.

 

[XB3LI3V3RX]

How is that an "exaggeration" when nobody is claiming otherwise? But you claimed that the situation in Florida is being "over exaggerated". This has nothing to do with the problem in Florida. How does that make it an exaggeration? As a hunter, I'd love to have the success you believe I should have every time I go out, but that simply doesn't happen. It would be almost as silly as saying that deer populations aren't a problem because every hunter doesn't come back with a Boone and Crockett trophy buck. And as I explained, it does have to do with the post because it illustrates how snakes can become a nuisance and a hazard.

I believe it's an over exaggeration and I stated my reasons why I believe that. If you want to believe differently, then fine, I'm not really worried about this issue right now. This post is about people having laws pushed on them for owning animals that cannot possibly hurt a person. Snakes are NOT a hazard as you said. Look at my profile picture...that is a boa constrictor that is about 8-9 ft long and weighed about 40-50 pounds. If it REALLY wanted to it could have really hurt me..did you know that only ONE person has ever been killed by a boa constrictor..EVER. And he was provoking it. You can't lump all snakes into one group. Each snake has a different temperament, needs, etc.
And speaking of that boa constrictor its owners are facing legal action just because their neighbors are afraid of it! It has done nothing wrong and it is one of the sweetest boas I've ever seen. So if I said I was afraid of my neighbor's dog could they face legal action? I doubt it because the public perception of dogs is they're sweet, fuzzy companions. I've been hurt more by dogs and cats than I have ever been hurt by all of the snakes I've handled though. I'm just getting tired of these innocent creatures getting a bad reputation because of people's ignorant fears and I want to change that.

 

[High Fidelity]

Are you familiar with the current python problem in South Florida?

Different type of Python.

 

[South Bound]

I believe it's an over exaggeration and I stated my reasons why I believe that.

You stated reasons that have nothing to do with the issue. One, was based on a claim that nobody even made.

Snakes are NOT a hazard as you said.

Then how do you explain the problem in Florida?

If it REALLY wanted to it could have really hurt me

You said in your OP that they're physically incapable of hurting anyone. Now, you're saying they can kill?

Which is it?

You can't lump all snakes into one group.

I didn't. I just asked you a question.

You're not exactly being a very good representative of snake owners.

 

[South Bound]

Different type of Python.

Congratulations. You just refuted an argument nobody made.

Again, who has claimed they're the same?

 

[XB3LI3V3RX]

I find it sad that the ball python is the number 1 snake as a pet. Back when I was a kid and dinosaurs rules the earth it was the common garter snake. Something the kid went out and caught himself. That seems gone these days.

Well garter snakes are still cute. They aren't going to leave pet owners that easily.

 

[High Fidelity]

Congratulations. You just refuted an argument nobody made.

Again, who has claimed they're the same?

It was either implied by your post or you were posting off-topic.

Were you posting off-topic?

 

[South Bound]

It was either implied by your post or you were posting off-topic.

Were you posting off-topic?

Neither implied nor off topic. Merely inferred by you.

 

[XB3LI3V3RX]

You said in your OP that they're physically incapable of hurting anyone. Now, you're saying they can kill? Which is it? I didn't.

THIS right here is why people need to do research. Let me explain this as easily as I can...the one I am holding in the picture is a BOA CONSTRICTOR that can reach lengths between 6-10 feet (possibly larger) and come from areas in South America like Columbia. The BALL PYTHON like the one in the article come from Africa and are about 4-5 feet MAX and barely weigh more than a couple pounds. The snakes in Florida are BURMESE PYTHONS that come from Asia and can reach anywhere from 12-20+ (and the ones over 20 feet are very rare) feet.
There are MANY species of snakes that people keep...I clearly stated which were which in each of my posts.

 

[Snake75]

I find it sad that the ball python is the number 1 snake as a pet.

Back when I was a kid and dinosaurs rules the earth it was the common garter snake.

Something the kid went out and caught himself.

That seems gone these days.

I like garter snakes but they tend to be a very flighty animal. I can't tell you how many times I've been peed and pooped on by them lol. Ball Pythons are very calm usually. But, it all depends on the snake really.

 

[High Fidelity]

Neither implied nor off topic. Merely inferred by you.

So what, precisely, did you mean then?

What, exactly, does the Python problem in Florida have to do with this case or Ball Pythons?

 

[XB3LI3V3RX]

I didn't. I just asked you a question. You're not exactly being a very good representative of snake owners.

Actually you DID lump them all into one group when you couldn't tell the difference between the massive boa constrictor in my picture and the ball pythons in the article. I'm not sure why you're wanting to insult me just because I have different opinions than you.