Woman Cited After School Complains About Python In Tree

I think it's sad that everyone who keeps snakes feels like they need to keep it a secret. I wish I could take my snakes outside or even talk about them but somehow I don't think telling my neighbor I have 5 ball pythons in my apartment would go over well even. :(

I agree that this lady should be allowed to have her snake out on her own property. It wasn't hurting anyone and she was watching it. It's so stupid that people think a 4ft snake could kill a child. I hope that someday we came come out of the proverbial closet and not be scorned for owning snakes.

The manager of my apartment complex isn't a big fan of snakes, but she is fascinated by them and always asks me about them. It doesn't hurt that I've taken the time to assure her that they are secured and not allowed to roam wild. I do take my ball pythons outside on a nice day, and the people in the complex, especially the kids, are fascinated by them. They'll gather round and ask questions, which I'll answer to the best of my ability. The older, more calm ones are allowed to actually approach the snakes, while the younger more impulsive kids are kept back because I don't want them to spook the poor snake :).

This is beyond ridiculous!! This lady has 100% right to allow her snake to slither in her backyard (with supervision of course). Makes you wonder how educated these teachers really are! So what now are you going to call the cops on a landscaper since plants attract bees? Which you have more of a chance of being harmed with a bee sting than a 4 foot snake.

She needs to move, obviously the school is going to continue to use the local government to harass her and she's lucky the charges weren't filed while Ohio still had that absurd temporary ban in place.

Not saying the situation doesn't stink, but public schools seem to think this way everywhere anymore. It seems that the administrators have developed deep seated power/control issues in district after distract and this filters down in all sorts of different ways whether its trying to control the neighbors around the school, whether the kids can exhibit any individuality inside the school insofar as things like clothing is concerned, whether the teachers & facility can do certain things with the kids anymore beyond the bare min required curriculum.

If she does move I sure hope it isn't one of those HOA developments or she'll be right back into the same problem. That's why I love where I live so much, the guy who owns the complex is one of those traditional hard working immigrant types who does all the maintenance himself, wants everyone to be happy, and cares more about reality than power trips. You just can't get that anymore from HOAs or the big corporate-like landlords that tend to buy up every house or complex they can get.

I'm really glad my house is secluded and I don't have many neighbors, 'cause I take my ball out from time to time and GOD FORBID there be a SNAKE outside. I had the same problem with my pitbull, poor thing was so friendly but he'd go up to people to try and get some attention and they'd literally JUMP away from him like he had the plague.

One bad story in the news and suddenly the whole species gets a rep. So stupid...

it's not the school administrators, and it's not even the local government that is to blame. All this hysteria about giant killer snakes is related to the overall hysteria that is changing the times. The simple fact is, everyone is becoming afraid of facing litigation. The reason the woman got busted for her snake is the same reason kids can't bring peanut butter to school anymore. Its the same reason the whole state of Ohio banned smoking in public places. People aren't actually afraid of snakes, or peanut butter, or even second-hand smoke...they are afraid of litigation. How difficult do you think it would be for one of these yuppie parents to sue someone over this? Now, that isn't to say people don't actually have phobias over snakes... but the more pressing issue is people facing legal problems, and this way the administrators avoid liability by bringing the problem directly to the eyes of the local government. They washed they're hands of it

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Originally Posted by stratus_020202

Dude. Calm down. I totally agree with you, but we have to remember that some people have a phobia of snakes. Not a fear they can just get over, but a phobia.

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Not trying to argue but your saying she cant have her pet because some people have phobias?

So when i'm shopping at the grocery store and i grab a bottle of mustard should i be concerned and cautious because some people have a phobia of mustard?

Yes some people have a phobia of mustard.

Point is if someone has a phobia of snakes GO INSIDE!

I have minor agoraphobia but that doesn't mean they should not allow large crowded places to exist. Snake phobias are irrational primal instincts meant to protect us from messing with venomous snakes but now the general public has this idea that it is normal for large snakes to just randomly constrict.

I don't think she is an idiot for providing her pet sunlight and fresh air on her own property. She wasn't parading it around the school.

I make a point of telling people I keep snakes. Why? Because I think when people are educated about different species, different behaviors they learn= less irrational fear. All the kids on my block come over and have learned about different reptiles. I stress education and responsibility. I've done a few birthdays parties for friends. I think the parents Learned way more and were educated way more than the kids were. Naturally I know some people have a phobia, natural unnatural whatever. I think that the more someone learns about their phobia the less phobic they are about it. The woman said that these were not the first complaints. Well instead of just ignoring the problem I think she should go in and speak with the principal and try to come to a compromise. Like being outdoors at certain hours, certain areas. Whatever. Now she shouldn't have to do this, but at the same time it may help to educate the school admin on both the animal, and behaviors and help the situation for all. She would then look like a responsible keeper rather then a dark corner crazy snake lady letting her snake run loose. ( not saying that she is but that's how most general public perceive snake people.)
Just my .02c

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Originally Posted by ER12

Lisa Reynolds was in the front yard of her home earlier this week with her pet, a 2-year-old python named Willy, when Athens County deputies arrived and cited her for persistent disorderly conduct, 10TV's Ashleigh Barry reported.

The python is an exotic animal, but there is no state law banning it from being kept as a pet. Reynolds said complaints about the 4-foot-long snake were not new.

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While I completely agree that she has every right to have her animal and do what she pleases with it on her own property, the fact that this was just the final result after several instances puts a little bit of blame on the owner as well. Having someone complain once, maybe twice about it and I agree that its the systems fault for becoming so ignorant, but any more than that and she should have done her own duty as a member of the community to have a little bit of consideration for the people that she makes uncomfortable.

Unfortunately it seems like reptile keepers are fighting an uphill war, and I really don't think this is an issue that was worth her making a fight about. She could have waited for when there weren't people out and about, put her snake somewhere outside where there wasn't huge visibility, or plenty of other solutions other than just being stubborn.