Trying to talk some sense..

There's a boy I work with who's had reptiles for a while, and during lunch I touched on the subject and we started a nice conversation about the herps we've owned and own. It was a nice conversation until he told me about a water dragon he let loose behind his house about a month ago because he didn't want it anymore. His reason was that it slept all the time and he got tired of keeping a boring animal, then he shrugged his shoulders and took a bite out of his sandwich like we were talking about the weather. He then went on to tell me he's done it to leopard geckos and a ball python he had a while back. I was really sort of disgusted. This guy is 25, and should know better. I live in MA, and even now with summer on the way, night temps have still been dipping into the 40's. Pretty sure those poor little herps are long gone. :(

This guy still has another water dragon, and a couple colubrids. He says he's not as into herps as he used to be, so I'm trying to talk him into giving his remaining animals to me so I can place them with people I trust. He's iffy about it, and says that he's not sure if he wants to give them to people he doesn't know... :taz:

How do I handle this without hitting him in the mouth and robbing his house?

He says he doesnt want to give them to people he doesnt know like he actually cares for them. They are better off with pretty much anybody else than him.

Tell him next time he is going to let an animal loose to just shoot it or put it in the freezer since he is sentencing them to death any way. Plus he is hurting everyone elses ability to own a reptile with all the legislative worries we have right now.

Maybe being blunt will shock some sence into him.

I would discuss the current legislation trying to be passed. Talk about how letting them go is fuel for the fire of the opposition. Help him to understand that this is some ppl's careers that are on the line. That the ppl supporting this bill are saying it is primarily due to ppl releasing pets....though its not...but things like this do not help. I would also explain how the animals cannot live in the conditions in his area and thus are probably suffering and or being eaten while half alive. Paint the ugliest picture you can....but in a nice "caring" way as to not to offend him. Let him know that there are plenty of ppl that would care for these animals and really WANT them. Do the animals a favor and give them a fighting chance.

:oops:

I know you are mad....but remember there are ignorant ppl out there and you do not want to make him mad so that he just goes and releases them anyways.