Woman Cited After School Complains About Python In Tree

COOLVILLE, Ohio — An Athens County woman faces charges after administrators at a nearby elementary school complained that her pet Burmese python posed a threat to students, but she defended the animal on Wednesday, saying there was no need for concern.

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.

"Every time they think he's out here somebody calls and has a concern that their child is going to get eaten," Reynolds said.

This time the complaint came from administrators at Federal Hocking Elementary School. They were concerned because the snake was wrapped around a tree, which is right next to the school, Barry reported.

Reynolds said she takes the snake outside so that it can get fresh air and exercise. Putting the animal in the tree helps with the shedding process, she said.

"It's not like I had him wrapped around my neck and I was walking through the school," Reynolds said.

Reynolds said the snake was not a threat, and she said she was right next to the tree when deputies arrived. Even so, she was cited because she "recklessly caused inconvenience or alarm to others," Barry reported.

Reynolds said she planned to fight the citation in court on Thursday.

"He is in his tree, on my property, so there should be no problem," she said.

Phone calls seeking comment from the elementary school principal were not returned on Wednesday, Barry reported.

Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for additional information.
http://www.10tv.com/live/content/loc...l.html?sid=102

And this is why none of my neighbors has ever seen my snakes or the several hundred rats in my garage. I really hate people sometimes.

Even if there wasn't an elementary school like 200 feet from my house, someone would find an excuse.

While I think the woman is an idiot, I also think she has every right to have her pet anywhere on her property. As long as he is being supervised. The teachers should have used this as a learning experience.

Hopefully she wins the argument. I think it would be a positive step for us.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stratus_020202

While I think the woman is an idiot, I also think she has every right to have her pet anywhere on her property. As long as he is being supervised. The teachers should have used this as a learning experience.

Hopefully she wins the argument. I think it would be a positive step for us.

---

A cat can and would scratch and bite people. A dog can and would bite, maul, or even kill people. But they are the sacred animals in western redneck culture, so they are OK. They make noise pollution, spread disease with their feces, and destroy the ecosystem - do you know how many animals are endangered because people let their cats outside? But people object to my little ball python, even refuse to come into my house, despite the fact he's locked in an aquarium, not running around the house like their much more aggressive and dangerous cats and dogs, like the whole house is a barn. BPs don't even bite in self defense, and they couldn't kill anything larger than a gerbil. But, Disney movies and Hebrew mythology have convinced everyone that snakes are evil. It's really sad because snakes are such wonderful pets - and if you don't like them crawling on you, fine, you can look at them through the glass!

Even the wording - "exotic" - is biased. As if cats and dogs belong in our ecosystem! It's like when they used to call immigrants "ethnics", to imply that their culture was wrong and out of place.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MaxSmart

A cat can and would scratch and bite people. A dog can and would bite, maul, or even kill people. But they are the sacred animals in western redneck culture, so they are OK. They make noise pollution, spread disease with their feces, and destroy the ecosystem - do you know how many animals are endangered because people let their cats outside? But people object to my little ball python, even refuse to come into my house, despite the fact he's locked in an aquarium, not running around the house like their much more aggressive and dangerous cats and dogs, like the whole house is a barn. BPs don't even bite in self defense, and they couldn't kill anything larger than a gerbil. But, Disney movies and Hebrew mythology have convinced everyone that snakes are evil. It's really sad because snakes are such wonderful pets - and if you don't like them crawling on you, fine, you can look at them through the glass!

Even the wording - "exotic" - is biased. As if cats and dogs belong in our ecosystem! It's like when they used to call immigrants "ethnics", to imply that their culture was wrong and out of place.

---

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.

I have my snakes out all the time when the weather is nice, but i am still cautious with the people around me. Hence, why I would never ever take my snakes to Walmart.

I have done fast food drive through windows, and once the cashier at subway forced me to bring one in and show her. That was a little awkward.

My family and a few close friends know that I have mine but no one else. Saves me a lot of grief. It would be great to be able to show off my herps like one would a dog but its not very realistic. It tics me off when someone's at the mall or grocery store with their snake for the 'wow' factor. Too many people see them as creepy and scary and I hate for everyone to think that all herp owners are juvenile and irresponsible. I think this lady could have been spared some trouble if she had practiced discretion. Next to a school- they would pitch a fit over a dog- so a snake would be a big target. :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MaxSmart

A cat can and would scratch and bite people. A dog can and would bite, maul, or even kill people. But they are the sacred animals in western redneck culture, so they are OK. They make noise pollution, spread disease with their feces, and destroy the ecosystem - do you know how many animals are endangered because people let their cats outside? But people object to my little ball python, even refuse to come into my house, despite the fact he's locked in an aquarium, not running around the house like their much more aggressive and dangerous cats and dogs, like the whole house is a barn. BPs don't even bite in self defense, and they couldn't kill anything larger than a gerbil. But, Disney movies and Hebrew mythology have convinced everyone that snakes are evil. It's really sad because snakes are such wonderful pets - and if you don't like them crawling on you, fine, you can look at them through the glass!

Even the wording - "exotic" - is biased. As if cats and dogs belong in our ecosystem! It's like when they used to call immigrants "ethnics", to imply that their culture was wrong and out of place.

---

I can't count the number of times people ask if its safe to have a snake with my son or my other pets. Like a ball python can eat a two year old. Do they think so little of me that I would have something dangerous just lying around? A whole lot of ignorance...

the ignorance really bothers me too but so far i've only encountered it from 1 child in my neighborhood when my daughter brought her over to see my female mojo.
i had the snake out for a handling session and this girl immediately went right into the story about a florida family's pet python that killed their little girl...
i was like
"ok. this snake is NOT going to get big enough to do anything like that and there's more to THAT story then you know."
i explained the difference between my python and that "killer snake" in florida (4-5 ft ball python vs. the 10-20 ft burmese). once i got that cleared up she relaxed a little.
my bf's dad has asked me how the snake was doing and followed that with a "what does it eat?"
i couldnt resist answering him with a "she eats small kids." response. :P :rofl:
thank heavens he realized i was joking and i told him i feed her small rats.
but back to the topic at hand...
i make a point NOT to discuss my snake with anyone who doesnt already know about it and who hasnt asked me anything about it. this way i only have to answer the questions i'm asked and i avoid the whole "that snake is gonna eat your kids!" fiasco.

Anyone else notice the fact that the snake in question is supposedly 2 years old, a burm, and only 4 feet long? Just sayin'. That is a little on the small side.
On the other hand, I do agree that she should have used a little discretion. There are laws in our area (for people who live in town) that you can not have snakes if you live 500 feet within another property or within 5 lots of a church. Luckily, I live out in the sticks, but still, kind of rediculous.
I am also someone who does not make a habit of spreading the word that I have snakes. Very few people have come over and actually seen them. In fact, if they didn't know I had them when they came over, they wouldn't even know that they are there.

Coolville?? more like Lameville..... haha, stupid joke.

So does that mean I can call the police every time I see someone with their dog outside if I claim to be inconvenienced and alarmed? :rolleye2:

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

Quote:

---

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.

---

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

Quote:

---

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.

---

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by spitzu

And this is why none of my neighbors has ever seen my snakes or the several hundred rats in my garage. I really hate people sometimes.

Even if there wasn't an elementary school like 200 feet from my house, someone would find an excuse.

---

The people at my work actually get a kick out of it!
Im a bartender so I suppose its a little different then a school.:P (Though most of the time these people act like elementary kids)
The regulars know me as the "snake lady" and frequently ask if ive gotten any new "kids" lately. I love when someone thinks its crazy or is ignorant and asks the weirdest questions because then I have the opportunity to set them straight on snakes. But most of them are just interested to hear about them, and I love to share. When it warms up here I even tell them I'll bring one in for a bit of show and tell and they get all excited. lol wait, maybe it is like an elementary school. :rolleyes:

I gotta say, it's pretty disappointing to see so many people who avoid talking about such an awesome hobby. The military is a pretty diverse group of people, we all have TONS of different ideas and not many of us think the same and I've only met one person who thinks my snakes are "gross" or dangerous. I've met a lot of people who are skeptical though. In fact, I've had TONS of people watch a feeding session and they're amazed! A friend of mine didn't like snakes much until he saw my ball eat a mouse he swore was too big, now he wants to see every feeding.

I don't know whats happening to the school systems today, but one of my earliest memories is of some sort of snake big enough to cover the length of our entire stage. I'm pretty sure it was a retic or burmese, and the size of the snake is probably a bit off (a full grown retic probably looks a lot bigger to a 5 year old than an adult!) but I was in awe! After the presentation we all got to touch the snake and I've never been afraid of reptiles since then. Honestly, education is key so why keep our hobby quiet? If more people were willing to hold a ball or a beardie, I'm sure they wouldn't be demonized like this. Just my opinion.

I agree we need more education about our beautiful animals just because mainstream america is scared of everything anymore why should we have to hide what we love and is legal to own from everyone. if we all made some effort to educate people without the fear of the reprecussions maybe things would be alot different we are more the norm then people realize and we shouldn't let some uneducated opinion (python ban) control how we try to help people realize that not all snake owners are ignorant irresponsible people. without us trying to change there train of thought then we have done nothing for our love of all the breeds of reptiles we own and care about.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MaxSmart

A cat can and would scratch and bite people. A dog can and would bite, maul, or even kill people. But they are the sacred animals in western redneck culture, so they are OK. They make noise pollution, spread disease with their feces, and destroy the ecosystem - do you know how many animals are endangered because people let their cats outside? But people object to my little ball python, even refuse to come into my house, despite the fact he's locked in an aquarium, not running around the house like their much more aggressive and dangerous cats and dogs, like the whole house is a barn. BPs don't even bite in self defense, and they couldn't kill anything larger than a gerbil. But, Disney movies and Hebrew mythology have convinced everyone that snakes are evil. It's really sad because snakes are such wonderful pets - and if you don't like them crawling on you, fine, you can look at them through the glass!

Even the wording - "exotic" - is biased. As if cats and dogs belong in our ecosystem! It's like when they used to call immigrants "ethnics", to imply that their culture was wrong and out of place.

---

I agree with you. Even a beloved parrot, or small animal can be more dangerous than a harmless young Burmese Python. I adore snakes, and I want to start collecting rare mutations of several species.
I see my dogs, and my cockatiel more dangerous than a snake.
I hope they see the light soon. The woman better win.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TDent1

Honestly, education is key so why keep our hobby quiet? If more people were willing to hold a ball or a beardie, I'm sure they wouldn't be demonized like this. Just my opinion.

---

I work at a public library, and have already booked myself for two possible shows - one at the library for summer reading month ("reptiles of the world" to go along with our international cultures theme), and another at a rural school within our county. I agree that education is the key, and as an educator myself, it's my duty to take this initiative. So far everyone has been receptive to the idea, and very excited when I offer to do a show... especially since I won't be charging, LOL. ;)