RyanR link said:
[quote author=Poseidon link=topic=5977.msg57526#msg57526 date=1375822594]
So this snake was literally hunting these kids... Must have tried to kill/eat one, realized was to big for it and moved to the next one only to realize it was to big as well?
I'm not making light of this or arguing it's terrible, I just want to discuss it, imagine it was your kids?
OKAY, I read a lot of comments, but this one strikes a nerve, along with sunny kitas,(How are you going to like it when big brother destroys your SW hobby because of the FEW poaching? even tho lots are aqua cultured??)))
How many snakes have you owned? any of you making negative comments? how many LARGE snakes have you came into contact with? I CURRENTLY own 30+ snakes, all constrictors.. none of which get to the size of said snake but that's besides the point,
interact with these animals on a daily basis and then you can truly see,
but to say this snake was actively HUNTING the kids is just plain ignorance and stupidity, Do you ever think that falling through the roof onto a solid floor may have startled the snake and kicked in its defensive instincts? Coupled with two VERY scared children (something feel through their roof when they were sleeping!!!), the moment they panicked, they were fair game.
The snake didn't realize the children were too big, because they weren't.. he could have EASILY ingested one if not both of the children and then moved on, instead he dispatched what he viewed as a threat at the time, and went on it's way afterwards, Snakes don't kill for fun. they run on instinct, just because we all knew that these children were absolutely no threat doesn't mean the snake did, if the snake was hungry it WOULD have eaten the children, Unless it was interrupted in the process, which according to the article it was not.
POINT IS snakes aren't blood thirsty killing machines, the fact here is the owner was ignorant and neglected the snakes living quarters and keeping it up to date and safe,
how many kids die every year from dogs biting them? but do we sit and claim that the dogs actively hunt the children whom are attacked? hell no.
lets not be dramatic, and actually look at the situation with an unbiased view point.
The only thing at fault is this store owner, and two innocent children lost their lives because of his laziness and ignorance.
I find it quite humerous how people want to blame the animal and not the person, why not blame the owner!? or the morons who thought it was a good idea to allow RESIDENTIAL apartments above a store which previously already houses LARGE constrictor snakes and aligators?!
Should Joe schmoe be able to own these huge animals? no. Should there be a licencing system? YES. and proceeds should go to animal control, and protection ect.
Should Big brother be able to take our rights away to own things if we are proved competent? HELL NO.
I hit a nerve, so sorry I offended you, Ryan R.
I will clarify what I meant to say. I believe known dangerous snakes should not be kept as pets, I DO believe there are competent people who could keep these known as "dangerous to the general public" snakes quite safely.
It's the 5% of the idiots, and I include the idiots who own and fight pit bulls and or want a status symbol tough dog and purposely set out to make a good dog mean, who are the reason for the hysteria that resulted in the big brother pit bull ban.
I also believe that the responsibility for ANY animals unacceptable behaviour rests entirely on the owners shoulders and they should be held accountable for their pet's actions. Whether it be snakes, dogs or any number of different animals, there are idiots out there who will want to own what they aren't capable of caring for in a safe manner.
I don't own a snake, I have worked with them and cared for them, I don't hate them, I don't think all snakes should be banned. I don't own a pit bull, but love the breed. Do I agree with the breed ban? no, I believe in accountability for all. Yes , I love my salt water tank and it's inhabitants but understand that we may not always have accessibility to all types of inhabitants.
The owner of the snake involved in the deaths of these two boys should be held accountable for the snake's actions.
Big brother is already at work with banned dogs and banning exports/imports of some coral. You may not agree with my opinion and so it should be. We are entitled to disagree with another's opinion. Do I have all the answers? HELL NO. I just have my own view which isn't the same as yours. It's all good !
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