This hasn't hit the forum yet?

http://globalnews.ca/news/762560/escaped-python-strangles-kills-two-children-in-new-brunswick/

If its a repost, I'm sorry. Just got back after a weekend out of touch...

Wow, very sad.

There should be some sort of permit and bond in order to have a stupid snake.

Slippery wrote: There should be some sort of permit and bond in order to have a stupid snake.

It wouldn't be unreasonable to require a permit for a snake that large. FERRETS require permits. Dogs require licenses. Why not snakes?

None of those require a bond.

What about large animals?

Horses, cows, etc all have the potential to kill someone.

Defaulting to the "There needs to be some sort of government intervention" is a weak argument and it's put us in the nanny state that we all love to bitch about.

Ferrets don't need a permit where I live. Neither do any of the above. Dog licences pay for all the dog related stuff in my community like dog parks with free poop bags and animal shelters.

I don't care for and wouldn't have a snake for a pet but requiring a permit and bond will not stop people from having them as pets, they'll just get one and not pay.

hold owners liable for the actions of their pets....that works for lots of species.

There are no bad snakes only bad owners. Punish the owners not the breed.

This is obviously a very sad story. Guy owns snake, guy has enclosure that lets snake out, snake does snake things to two children unfortunate enough to be sleeping nearby. What a horrible situation and horrible way to go.

Trans_Maro wrote: None of those require a bond. What about large animals? Horses, cows, etc all have the potential to kill someone. Defaulting to the "There needs to be some sort of government intervention" is a weak argument and it's put us in the nanny state that we all love to bitch about. Ferrets don't need a permit where I live. Neither do any of the above. Dog licences pay for all the dog related stuff in my community like dog parks with free poop bags and animal shelters. I don't care for and wouldn't have a snake for a pet but requiring a permit and bond will not stop people from having them as pets, they'll just get one and not pay.

I might have not used the correct term when I said bond.

The thing is that here in Florida, people let go pythons out on the everglades. They get too big, so they just let them go. They wreak havoc and they are pretty much at the top of the food piramid, so their population keeps growing. There should be some sort of incentive to turn it over to a zoo or whatever entity once you dont want it anymore.

I rather be out walking and come accross 10 horses and cows, than one big python.

Slippery wrote: ....I rather be out walking and come across 10 horses and cows, than one big python.

Brett_Murphy wrote: It wouldn't be unreasonable to require a permit for a snake that large. FERRETS require permits. Dogs require licenses. Why not snakes?

Where do Ferrets need a permit????? We've had three of them, no one ever mentioned permits to us and we were part of the Ferret rescue society on MI

Slippery wrote: I might have not used the correct term when I said bond. The thing is that here in Florida, people let go pythons out on the everglades. They get too big, so they just let them go. They wreak havoc and they are pretty much at the top of the food piramid, so their population keeps growing. There should be some sort of incentive to turn it over to a zoo or whatever entity once you dont want it anymore. I rather be out walking and come accross 10 horses and cows, than one big python.

Agreed, huge problem here in FL.

I'm skeptical about the story though. I'm against having snakes as pets but I think there is more to this story.

Brett_Murphy wrote: It wouldn't be unreasonable to require a permit for a snake that large. FERRETS require permits. Dogs require licenses. Why not snakes?

Where I live they'd chase you out of the county by pitchfork and torch for suggesting licenses and permits for all these things.......we hold the animal and individual both to blame.

aircooled wrote:

Slippery wrote: ....I rather be out walking and come across 10 horses and cows, than one big python.

I will take the snake any day of the week. Cows can be nasty in groups

Also how does a snake kill one child without the other one waking up and freaking out. I have a feeling there is more to the story then what is being reported to the police.

wearymicrobe wrote: Also how does a snake kill one child without the other one waking up and freaking out. I have a feeling there is more to the story then what is being reported to the police.

you would be amazed at what a kid can sleep through. i can unbuckle either one of my kids from their car seat, get them out of the back of the car, over my shoulder, into the house, up a flight of stairs, out of jackets / shoes, into bed, and under their covers, without so much as a peep from them.

In reply to Slippery:

Ahh,I get where you're going.

I do think folks should be made responsible for damages caused by their critters. I have a big dog and I'm sure I'd be held responsible for whatever damage he could do.

There's no incentives to give up your pet to the correct organisation here either. We took our friend's dog when they couldn't keep her anymore. She was 12 and the local shelter would have just put her down rather than try to adopt her out.

Lots of horses out here get poor care in their late years because you can't send them to the slaughterhouse anymore thanks to people who can't come to terms with the fact that Trigger may end up as dog food if you can't take care of him anymore.

Shawn

I agree that there's more to this story.

The owner is at fault, no question, a 10 foot snake is going to do snake stuff.

Maybe not criminal fault but definitely at fault

Datsun1500 wrote: I'm sure the real story will come out in a few days

This. The reptile expert I heard on the radio today said rock pythons will bite if they feel threatened, but don't constrict and kill unless they are trying to eat. He told the BBC announcer that what was being reported didn't match normal behavior for that snake.

AngryCorvair wrote:

wearymicrobe wrote: Also how does a snake kill one child without the other one waking up and freaking out. I have a feeling there is more to the story then what is being reported to the police.

you would be amazed at what a kid can sleep through. i can unbuckle either one of my kids from their car seat, get them out of the back of the car, over my shoulder, into the house, up a flight of stairs, out of jackets / shoes, into bed, and under their covers, without so much as a peep from them.

Your kids are pretending to be asleep so that they won't have to brush their teeth.

JamesMcD wrote:

AngryCorvair wrote:

wearymicrobe wrote: Also how does a snake kill one child without the other one waking up and freaking out. I have a feeling there is more to the story then what is being reported to the police.

you would be amazed at what a kid can sleep through. i can unbuckle either one of my kids from their car seat, get them out of the back of the car, over my shoulder, into the house, up a flight of stairs, out of jackets / shoes, into bed, and under their covers, without so much as a peep from them.

Your kids are pretending to be asleep so that they won't have to brush their teeth.

Nope, easy way out of that one was too talk sofetly about how you knew they were sleeping. A little kid can't avoid giggling if called out like that. A real sleeper will stay out cold. Parents always have the upper hand.

In Ohio while growing up it was illegal to own a ferret. Not sure if it still is.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/story/2013/08/16/pythons-motel-brantford.html

That's about 20 minutes from me. I drove by there today.

You know, I could use a new pair of python boots...

Sorry, not buying the snake thing.

I'd bet someone murdered those kids and dumped a snake in the room.

I'm no snake expert by any means. My ex had a ball python when we were dating and I did get to observe/feed it a good bit, if the bigger ones act the same then yeah they only constrict to eat. The chance of two kids being killed by constricting and the snake leaving is pretty remote.