Python Kills A Toddler

No laws won't work but permits and inspections will! i'll bet your for health care reform too!

Im 'for', useful and effective legislation that serves a purpouse. Im 'for' any system that works to prevent tradgetys like this. Im 'for' humane solutions that accomplish a goal while encompassing circumstances and compassion.
The law does none of that, its black & white and interpretation/implimentation of it leaves a hell of alot to be desired.
Whilstever people like yourself want harsh illconsidered kneejerk 'punishment' ,according to law (black & white) their remains no reason for those who interprate/impliment law
not to continue doing so.

Jail time/loss of job for a father who cant pay traffic fines, resulting in further hardship,
and totally unacceptablely lenient sentences for violent crimes , all according to law 'by the book', are just two examples of how it dosent work.

Dont try to drag me into politics with your health thing mate, its off topic. If your trying to say something meaningful and relative then find a better way to express it.
 

Yeah, typically 'kneejerk'! :) It dosent really address availability of the species nor responsible keeping does it? Just a grab for attention, using a tragic accident to push his own agenda. (ultimately a total ban).
Even that wont prevent people keeping them, it just makes more otherwise law abiding people criminals, and creates a blackmarket over which authorities will have no control.
Better to know how many are around and who has them, than no idea till another child dies, or somebody encounters a dumped black market pet.
If its illegal and it grows too big, will people be any more inclined to surrender it to authorities? I think less so, which means more dumped pets in the wild.
 
I do feel for the family, but with taking on certain animals you need to accept a certain responsibility. I have never had snakes, so don't know their temperament - are there conditions that it was kept in that could have exacerbated this? Ultimately, the snake is a 'wild' animal, and will act accordingly, as will many animals, and it annoys me when people then get angry with the animal for behaving naturally. I always tell my bf when he is scuba diving that if he were to get attacked by an animal such as a shark (obviously in waters away from the UK) that it's his own fault for looking like its food in it's habitat. I am very uneasy when it comes to culls, as I do feel it is not the animals fault. But I also admit that I am not well versed enough to argue the point coherently. It's just such a shame.
 
I agree Emma and it is a shame, its not the animals fault as you suggest, the blame lies squarely with the keeper. I dont think its conditions had anything to do with it really (excepting it wasnt in an escape proof enclosure), possibly it was just timing, snake was hungry, enclosure wasnt secure, snakes, especially big ones dont need to eat often, a really big one could eat maybe 2 or 3 times a year no problem. Possibly it wasnt fed sufficiently large meals? who knows, just a natural response I think, confusion on the snakes part.
Logically and economically (unfortunately too) culling of pest species is really the only option, theres just so many, many shelters try to rehouse, but who wants to adopt an 18 ft python capable of asphixiating you? If zoos and wildlife parks have enough, there arnt many options. Its very much like cats & dogs, perhaps exabberated by the fact that not everyone likes reptiles, especially snakes. :(
 
I live in so florida and we have found a number of exotics in the wild including moniter lizards,iguanas,pythons,boas, fond a moniter lizard 3 days ago that was over 5 foot:eek:
 
I agree Emma and it is a shame, its not the animals fault as you suggest, the blame lies squarely with the keeper. I dont think its conditions had anything to do with it really (excepting it wasnt in an escape proof enclosure), possibly it was just timing, snake was hungry, enclosure wasnt secure, snakes, especially big ones dont need to eat often, a really big one could eat maybe 2 or 3 times a year no problem. Possibly it wasnt fed sufficiently large meals? who knows, just a natural response I think, confusion on the snakes part.
Logically and economically (unfortunately too) culling of pest species is really the only option, theres just so many, many shelters try to rehouse, but who wants to adopt an 18 ft python capable of asphixiating you? If zoos and wildlife parks have enough, there arnt many options. Its very much like cats & dogs, perhaps exabberated by the fact that not everyone likes reptiles, especially snakes. :(

This is one of the reasons I wouldn't have a snake that is capable of reaching these lengths. I was watching an RSPCA show a while back (for my sins) where someone had a python that was about 15ft long. He had had it for about 12 years, and it had got to a length he couldn't handle. I would be devastated if I had to get rid of an animal I had had for 12 years. We have had these animals long enough to know what they grow to, and their growing needs, so situations like that shouldn't happen. You mentioned possible feeding of inadequate sized meals, thats what I was referring to. Surely if it was kept satiated, and in a secure enclosure, it may not have gone looking for food? I assume that these are an animal that kills when it's hungry, and not just for fun like cats?

They do need to find a sensible way to control it though, as like you said people will just keep them illegally and then release them when they get too big, which I believe is why they have such a problem in the florida everglades? Large snakes are released illegally and thriving due to the conditions. I do see the point of culls, and while my sensible head understands the reasoning, for some reason my pathetic sentimental head just can't justify killing a healthy animal. I have disagreed with fox hunting and the recent plans to cull badgers (many arguments with the bf family over that). I really need to read up on it though so I can argue informed! Did they ever go ahead with the culling of the kangaroos?
 
Unfortunately, the problem in the Everglades has been grossly over stated. When they tested ~150 Burmese Pythons caught from the Everglades they found that 99% of them were related to animals that escaped during hurricane Andrew. None of this negates the cause for concern these animal raise knowing they're there.

With that said, we have the permit system that was put in place and seems to be rather effective. Yes, there will be those who bypass the system and continue to break the law, as always. But I've yet to see a Burmese Python in a shop in a looong time and I think people are starting to get the point. I think market we need to shoot for are the newcomers and the permit system really deters these folks from getting into them in the first place.

It's a real shame what happened and a black mark for the industry as a whole, but we need to stay calm when something like this happens and understand that we're going to hear about pet related deaths every year, regardless of what type of pet it is.

There is a way that we can have our cake and eat it too, but *we* are the ones that have to make that change and promote responsible husbandry and safety practices.

Luis
 
Surely if it was kept satiated, and in a secure enclosure, it may not have gone looking for food?

Well the enclosure part yes, but the second, not nessesarily Em. Pythons are an Ambush predator for the most part. Generally though they dont 'go looking' as such, but rather might encounter an opportunity in its travel to/from a water source or animal trail where its found food before or smells it.
Since the python did escape and went investigating its surrounds, its safe to say, it likely came accross the child by accident, and sensing warmth with its heat pits, assumed it to be food and simply took advantage of the circumstance. Pythons are an opportunist feeder, they may go months without food in the wild, so will make use of an opportunity when one presents.
For example, a python may disturb a nesting bird and consume it. While this may last it weeks, it will still also consume the birds young aswell.

I assume that these are an animal that kills when it's hungry, and not just for fun like cats?

Thats exactly right Emma. Though I must point out in fairness to cats, its not for 'Fun', but rather for hunting practice, its instinctive behaviour, otherwise they wouldnt do it.
Animals dont really do things for fun, although they do seem to enjoy instinctive 'learning play' (young bears for example and puppies). 'Fun' is a human concept and attributing it to non humans clearly falls under Anthropmorphism. :)
 
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