US

Pet Burmese python kills two-year-old girl in Florida

US News

Jul 2, 2009, 4:55 GMT


Your Talkback on this Story

Note posts made on our older Talkback system will still show below. However, new posts can only be made via the new system (above). We will export the old comments to the new shortly. You can still comment as a guest on the new system but it also allows you to login using various social network and other accounts.

Other features coming soon.

Talkback

page: 1 

NO ONE...Jul 2nd, 2009 - 15:37:54

should own a dangerous snake!

Report this comment

reptile keeperJul 2nd, 2009 - 20:12:54

NO ONE - SHOULD TELL ME I CAN'T KEEP A LARGE SNAKE ! What happened to the little girl in Fla. is tragic , but the fact is , the owner of that snake needs to be held accountable . I've had exotic animals of all kinds for about 25 years - I am very careful , and all my animal enlosures are sturdy and they lock . I have never had a problem . I also want to add that most media reports that these pythons in Fla. that are loose have all been let go by irresponsible owners - the fact is - the breeding population in S. Fla. is there due to animals that were accidentally set free by hurricane damage 10 + years ago . Also , the media states that this population of snakes are slowly moving north , and could be several states north in the decades to come - the simple truth is , these animals come from areas where the climate does not fluctuate as it does here ( in S.C. , Ga., Ala. , ect. ) Even the mild winters of our nations southeast and southwest , would kill these animals . They may survive for a few months during the summer , but are physically unable to deal with the cooler temps during the rest of the year . Anyone who knows anything about these animals knows this ! So please don't tell me I can't keep the animals I choose to keep ( all of mine are captive bred by the way ). Maybe if you tell me I can't keep exotic animals because they can be dangerous , maybe I'll start to petition to ban your German Shepard or your Labrador Retriever since they to can be dangerous . How about we put our efforts into teaching people responsible pet ownership - no matter if it's a dog , a cat , or a reptile , everyone should be prepared to properly take care of the animal . But don't tell me I can't keep a large snake just because it frightens you !

Report this comment

Repeat.......Jul 2nd, 2009 - 20:23:50

NO ONE should keep a DANGEROUS snake. I didn't say LARGE snake. They should be regulated just as keeping a dangerous animal is. And I'm fully aware that not everyone uses intelligence when keeping these, but the law should be there to protect the public against them.

Report this comment

no animal hater here but....Jul 2nd, 2009 - 22:12:17

I think exotic animals should be kept at local zoos, if you have a taste for this kind of pet, your place should be screened periodicly, and your ability to keep them free of desease and your capacity to sustain their needs should also be evaluated. Bottom line, if you want to have that kind of pets, you should move to the amazonia, or to Borneo... you should not be allowed to keep this kind of pets! Period.

Report this comment

reptile keeperJul 3rd, 2009 - 12:47:57

In response to 'REPEAT' , I would agree with your comment about having regulations and guidelines for keeping exotic animals , especially ones that can be dangerous ( would this include large dogs ? ). I am oposed to laws that forbid the keeping of these animals . We ( responsible keepers ) should not be penalized for the actions of a few . I welcome anyone , anytime , to come and see my animals . Now in response to 'NO Animal Hater Here , BUT ' , why should only zoos be allowed to keep these amazing creatures ? My cages are good sized , clean , and properly set up for each type of animal I keep . Fresh water is available at all times , and all animals are well fed . I also handle them frequently to check their health , give them exercise , and keep them comfortable with handling . The problem with your recommendation of me moving to the rainforrest is , the rainforrest is dwindling , and these creatures are being hunted ( to near extinction in some cases ) for meat and their skins by the local population . There are many examples of exotics of all types , that have been bred in captivity , many by private keepers such as myself . In some cases , these captive animals are the best chance of assuring the species survival in the future due to deforrestation and the shinking wild population . So in conclusion I ask you to do one thing - before you look to critisize someone like me , do some homework first - otherwise you make uneducated , silly comments just like you did above .

Report this comment

BCJul 3rd, 2009 - 20:29:39

I don't believe any individual should be allowed to keep dangerous animals of any kind unless they have an accredited sanctuary for all the exotic animals that some idiot has tried to raise themselves and didn't do a good job of it.

Report this comment

S.E.Jul 4th, 2009 - 02:03:55

I think that there should be stricter regulations on these types of animals and that the responsibility falls to the mother because she was the idiot who kept her child in that environment. I mean really, who would have a child in a house with any type of dangerous animal. And I'm not just saying exotics. I wouldnt want my kids around certain types of domesticated animals either.

Report this comment

mi and riJul 4th, 2009 - 08:16:59

My Husband and I own a large Boa Constrictor, as far as being allowed to own any reptile of this nature is perfectly fine. It is the owner responsibility to entirely educate themselves on the animal they choose. Again it is no different than owning a cat,dog,bird,lizard,or even a ferrite. For the note our snake is very loving and affectionate, animals are like people they have feelings and can feel fear. Our snake is around lots of children as well as our son. It is a tragedy what happened to the little girl, but again being owners ourselves you have to take care of your snake in the proper manner by adapting to their needs. They need tender loving care just like any other animal. Reptiles come with more responsibility, but are indeed wonderful pets.

Report this comment

AaronJul 4th, 2009 - 14:44:48

Owning any dangerous wild animal is stupid to say the least. They are just that - wild, and can turn on anyone anytime.

Report this comment

??Jul 4th, 2009 - 21:34:19

Your snake is very 'loving and affectionate' - get real. He'd do you in at the drop of a hat!

Report this comment

MeganJul 9th, 2009 - 21:10:36

I own three red tail boas. My boyfriend and I, who are only 20 and 22, are VERY

Report this comment

page: 1 

Similar articles

California fire caused by botched safety measure
Firefighters gain on California fire
Firefighters gain on California fire
'All hell' breaks loose in California wildfire
California wildfires spread, 30,000 forced to flee

Latest Headlines in US

Bookmark and Share Share

From Sites We Like

Latest PopEater News

Taylor Swift Mocks Kate Gosselin, Kanye and Joe Jonas on 'SNL'
Susan Boyle Coming to 'Dancing With The Stars'
Ten Celebrities Who Need To Join Twitter
Lamar Wants Khloe Kardashian Pregnant
PopEater Poll Results: How You Voted on Rihanna, Mariah, Anderson and Taylor

Latest Cinema Blend News

Joe Johnston Talks Jurassic Park 4
Gwyneth Paltrow Stands By Her Man: Nicole Kidman
Eminem Returns To The Big Screen In Shady Tales
The Killer Inside Me Trailer: Casey Affleck Has Issues
First Twilight Eclipse Teaser Poster

Latest Tech Herald News

Review: Motorola Droid
Facebook settlement means little in the long run
Naked Windows 7 vulnerable to Malware if left in default state
Adobe patches Shockwave Player
SSL flaw allows man-in-the-middle attacks
USA