help me please!!!

My girlfriend and i just moved in together and she has a child with a real jerk. He has called CPS on her two times for BS in the passed. And he is telling her he is gonna do it again now because he isnt to high on me being there! I have two ball pythons and a mexican black kingsnake right now and she is wanting some kind of document stateing that they are OK around children. She just wants to cover all bases! Is there any document that anyones knows of that will tell about snakes being good as kids pets or anything. any help would be great!

The only thing I can kinda think of right off the bat would be a letter from your local herp vet. I would assume he could only vouch for the general nature of the species, not the individual characteristic of the snakes themselves though - unless he/she has handled them.

Just my quick two cents.

Or if you can get it from someone who's a herpetologist that specializes in pythons. Especially ball pythons. I wish you luck!

Not sure if there are any documents, but you could have your girlfriend look back at this thread and look at the answers people have given you that tells you WHY snakes are safe to have around kids.

Of course, you still would need to supervise the child and the snake if the child were to handle the snake. Not saying the snake would attack the child, but it's more like the child being too rough with the snake.

The snakes you own pose no threat to humans at all. Any kid could be near the snakes you own (maybe not if the snake happens to be aggressive, but that's besides the point) because the snakes are completely harmless. The snakes have no venom or rear-fangs that you own, so they do not pose a threat to the child at all.

I think it would actually be a good thing to have the snakes around the child because a ton of people say negative things about snakes to their children and to other people, spreading a rumor that isn't true (such as "all snakes are venomous"). Interacting the child and the snakes is a good thing so the child doesn't grow up in fear of snakes, but actually may want to have snakes itself. Plus, the child can learn a lot just by having snakes around it.

Thank you. And just for the record my girlfriend knows they are harmless she just wants papers to show CPS if they do show up and ask about the snakes.

The best thing to do is get a copy of the local pet and animal laws. Regardless of peoples biased opinions and unfounded fears, you can legally own them. So, if CPS shows up, show them Fact Sheets on the species, as far as how big they will be, show them a copy of the laws, which will basically only state which species, if any are banned, or require permits. Tell them there are no documented cases of BP's killing a person. Show them that they are kept in secure enclosures. You can probably find some statistics that shows more people will be seriously attacked by dogs than snakes. And, depending on the temperament of your snakes, even offer to handle one in front of them...


Rob

P.S. It would also be a good idea to check your local and state laws first to make sure you ARE in compliance with them.

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

The best thing to do is get a copy of the local pet and animal laws. Regardless of peoples biased opinions and unfounded fears, you can legally own them. So, if CPS shows up, show them Fact Sheets on the species, as far as how big they will be, show them a copy of the laws, which will basically only state which species, if any are banned, or require permits. Tell them there are no documented cases of BP's killing a person. Show them that they are kept in secure enclosures. You can probably find some statistics that shows more people will be seriously attacked by dogs than snakes. And, depending on the temperament of your snakes, even offer to handle one in front of them...


Rob

P.S. It would also be a good idea to check your local and state laws first to make sure you ARE in compliance with them.

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was going to say the exact same thing, my ex tried to bring up that i take my son shooting and bought him a rifle to cps but the laws on my side and there is nothing they can do about it

Thank you very much Vypyrz. Any ideas where i can get copies of the laws? Im clueless on this sort of thing?

You should be able to get a copy of the laws in your state from I think maybe Game and Fish Department or perhaps the Humane Society??? Well at least you could start there.


I might also add that it may be a good thing to get locks put on you racks if at all possible. That might suffice CPS as well......(my friend fosters 2 kids and she seems to have to have locks EVERYWHERE).

Most are online now so the easiest thing to do would be Google search for your state, county, and town laws or homepages and most will have links to the various sections...


Rob

HMMM... I didn't realize Dayton had a law against Boidae over 3 ft long... :weirdface

To the OP, that realy sucks. I hope you figure things out. :)

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

HMMM... I didn't realize Dayton had a law against Boidae over 3 ft long... :weirdface

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I couldnt find any direct info on Fort Lauderdale and snakes. How did you get that info? Thanks

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Originally Posted by monty's dad

Thank you very much Vypyrz. Any ideas where i can get copies of the laws? Im clueless on this sort of thing?

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If you tell me what city & county you live in, I can do a little research for you. I'm a reference librarian, so feel free to take advantage of me - or visit your local library and put those tax dollars to use. ;)

i live in Streetsboro ohio. it is Portage County. thank you for everyones help!!!

I have dealt with this in the past(CPS and 15' Burmese I had). All that CPS is going to want to know is that the enclosure has locks and is not easily accessed by the child. They can not tell you not to have pets. By the way, if he continues to call CPS on false accusations, they will start to disregard his calls. Make sure you keep your side of the street clean though. Good luck!

By the way and off the snake subject a little. I have a little experience with this as my son's bio dad (and I use that lightly) has been abusive and my hubby and I have spent major $$$ in court.

Tell your girlfriend to keep a log of all incidents and all conversations with this person. Get a notebook. She might even want to keep a log of the daily activities that you all do, even if it is simple. If something happens and CPS is called she can go pull out the book. It looks really good when you have a daily log of everything. Much more believable then someone just trying to remember everything or saying....ahhh no that didn't happen. I am also not sure if you have the cash but it sounds like you might even want to contact an attorney. There has to be something you guys can do in reference to harrasment and the toll it takes on the child.

Sorry I know this is off topic however...just make sure that you all cover yourself in situations like these. So many people don't care about the best interest of their kids....just their best interest!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

The best thing to do is get a copy of the local pet and animal laws. Regardless of peoples biased opinions and unfounded fears, you can legally own them. So, if CPS shows up, show them Fact Sheets on the species, as far as how big they will be, show them a copy of the laws, which will basically only state which species, if any are banned, or require permits. Tell them there are no documented cases of BP's killing a person. Show them that they are kept in secure enclosures. You can probably find some statistics that shows more people will be seriously attacked by dogs than snakes. And, depending on the temperament of your snakes, even offer to handle one in front of them...


Rob

P.S. It would also be a good idea to check your local and state laws first to make sure you ARE in compliance with them.

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This and whatever extent this goes to. You have to make sure you can prove that you bps are secure. If push comes to shove and someone comes over to check out your enclosure you want to be able to show that your responsible as a keeper and they wont get out. ie just having a book on a lid etc.
We all know bps are pretty harmless , but sometimes its tough to prove to the non-herp. Impression goes a long way.
Good luck.