MA Police shoot boa that constricted puppy

http://www.centralmaine.com/2018/05/...crushed-puppy/

So sad. I feel horrible for the puppy, but there's no way I would have told police they could kill my snake.

Horrible all around.

yes, horrible all around.

this might sound insensitive, but why exactly did the snake need to die? like instances when someone jumps into a zoo enclosure and gets mauled to death: why do those animals have to be killed afterwards?

i agree Craig, i couldn't give that order to kill my pet.

Crazy and sad...:O

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

yes, horrible all around.

this might sound insensitive, but why exactly did the snake need to die? like instances when someone jumps into a zoo enclosure and gets mauled to death: why do those animals have to be killed afterwards?

i agree Craig, i couldn't give that order to kill my pet.

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Right?? The aninal just did what it does instinctively. Although a captive pet, it's still a wild animal.
It's super sad the puppy died, but I see no reason another animal had to die too.

What in the actual flip????? Why kill the snake? What purpose? The puppy was, heartbreakingly, already gone.

That's a crappy pet sitter and a crappy owner.

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Sounds odd. Why did they shoot the snake? Is it a law in that state to shoot a pet if it kills another pet?

I wonder if the puppy killed the boa constrictor would they have shot the puppy?

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Originally Posted by Valyrian

I wonder if the puppy killed the boa constrictor would they have shot the puppy?

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We all know the answer to this...

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Originally Posted by Valyrian

Sounds odd. Why did they shoot the snake? Is it a law in that state to shoot a pet if it kills another pet?

I wonder if the puppy killed the boa constrictor would they have shot the puppy?

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Nope, no such laws here in MA.
I wonder how hard they "tried" to remove the snake. It was a 6 foot boa, not a green anaconda...

Sad that the puppy died, but that's crap they killed the snake, especially since the puppy was already dead.

Wow that whole thing is dumb beyond measure. What’s worse is ignorant people (such as my parents lol) look at news stories like this and loose their minds thinking all snakes will eat you at night. Wouldn’t surprise me if I get a call now from my mom telling me I’m putting my cats in constant danger for owning a ball python -_-

Would have fired that pet sitter to the moon. Makes me wonder though, either the boa really did escape from its cage due to a poor set up or the boa “escaped” because the sitter decided to take the boa out.

in either case what the actual heck at the owner for giving permission to kill their own pet? Sure let’s hit two birds with one stone and be petless I guess. Sad

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

Wow that whole thing is dumb beyond measure. What’s worse is ignorant people (such as my parents lol) look at news stories like this and loose their minds thinking all snakes will eat you at night. Wouldn’t surprise me if I get a call now from my mom telling me I’m putting my cats in constant danger for owning a ball python -_-

Would have fired that babysitter to the moon. Makes me wonder though, either the boa really did escape from its cage due to a poor set up or the boa “escaped” because the sitter decided to take the boa out.

in either case what the actual heck at the owner for giving permission to kill their own pet? Sure let’s hit two birds with one stone and be petless I guess. Sad

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Yeah unfotunately most people consider reptiles to be beneath mammalian pets. Which is probably why they shot the snake but wouldn't have done it if the situation was reversed. I guess even the owner felt that way too which is weird.

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

Makes me wonder though, either the boa really did escape from its cage due to a poor set up or the boa “escaped” because the sitter decided to take the boa out.

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this was exactly where my head went while reading the story.

I would be extremely distraught if this was me.. But calling the police for an interaction between animals?

I had a cat a few years back, he was affectionate and amazing, and we loved him.

We also had 2 - 3 bunnies regularly, but he'd never shown any interest in them. One day we got these two baby bunnies, and had them for a few days, before our cat did what his instincts told him to do.

He managed to get into their cage somehow and drag them out. We were heartbroken, and extremely angry at him, but we'd never call the police and tell them to kill him! We loved him for many more years.

Another thing, and I could be wrong, but I would think that snakes are a bit more slaves to their instincts than cats are. It's just not fair on the boa.

I know what's done is done, but maybe they should have made sure his tank was more secure, seeing as they should have been aware what boas are capable of. I suppose I can't assume their intentions, though. Overall, it's a terrible loss of two animals.

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Originally Posted by 55fingers

I would be extremely distraught if this was me.. But calling the police for an interaction between animals?

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playing devil's advocate here: probably because the owner was gone and the sitter didn't want to be charged with animal neglect/cruelty when the owner comes home and doesn't find a puppy; the police report would show exactly what happened and that it was "out of their control."

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

yes, horrible ................................like instances when someone jumps into a zoo enclosure and gets mauled to death: why do those animals have to be killed afterwards?

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It’s rule or law of most societies that if an animal becomes a man eater/killer then it is put to death.

Same goes for an unprovoked attack to a human by a dog.

Obviously it does not apply in this snake case.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

yes, horrible all around.

this might sound insensitive, but why exactly did the snake need to die? like instances when someone jumps into a zoo enclosure and gets mauled to death: why do those animals have to be killed afterwards?

i agree Craig, i couldn't give that order to kill my pet.

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Because vengence, people feel better when they can get revenge and kill something, even if it's pointless in the end. Feelings tend to override logic with most people.

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Originally Posted by Alter-Echo

Because vengence, people feel better when they can get revenge and kill something, even if it's pointless in the end. Feelings tend to override logic with most people.

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Makes zero sense.


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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

www.centralmaine.com/2018/05/04/mass-police-shoot-boa-constructor-that-fatally-crushed-puppy/

So sad. I feel horrible for the puppy, but there's no way I would have told police they could kill my snake.

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A tragic situation all around. I'm curious as to the details... I know snake escaped habitat but was nobody supervising the pup? Seems to me an 8 mos. old pup would likely have been a bit cautious initially and probably barked at the snake before approaching.. but I guess we'll never know. I agree with everyone who is opposed to the death of the snake, the damage was already done, there was no malice or aggression on the part of the snake, had they been kept apart, the puppy would have been safe. An emotionally charged situation, in which neither animal was at fault, and yet, as always it was they who paid the ultimate price. Very sad.

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Originally Posted by Valyrian

Sounds odd. Why did they shoot the snake? Is it a law in that state to shoot a pet if it kills another pet?

I wonder if the puppy killed the boa constrictor would they have shot the puppy?

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Knowing people today, they would probably praise the puppy for facing an apex predator or removing a stray pet that could be a menace or something like that.

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So most likely due to a persons ignorance, 2 animals were killed because of them being an animal. The puppy most likely for being a curious puppy and the snake for being a snake. They shouldnt have killed the snake, they should have killed the idiot who allowed the snake to escape or kept it in an inadequately secured cage.

And it would be a cold day in hell before i let someone kill one of my snakes for just being a snake. Sad the puppy died but the snake didnt need to die too.

And on a lighter note, you would amazed the looks you get when you walk into a pet shop and ask the manager if they got their delivery of feeder parakeets or feeder kittens in. I walked in and told the manager of the place i've been going to for years "Hey Joannie, you get feeder kittens in this week? My retic is starving and ready for 3 of them succulent morsels!!". A customer who was picking up a dog from grooming just looked at me blankly lol. The manager had to let her know i was just kidding and that the store doesnt sell feeder parakeets or kittens haha.

You’re a sick dude Sauzo. :D

Also I don't know what everyone's opinion on this is, but personally, I don't consider shooting an animal to be the most humane option in this situation, although it is quick. I wonder if when the owner gave permission for the snake to be humanely killed, they knew it would be dragged outside then shot instead of euthanized or something.

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Originally Posted by Reinz

You’re a sick dude Sauzo. :D

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Lol actually another of the stores manager's customers pulled the 'feeder parakeet' question but did it when the store was full of people. i guess a few of the customers were all asking about how the store could do such a thing with parakeets and the manager had to reassure them it was only a joke. My kitten joke only had 1 customer in the store lol. I didnt time my asking well like on a weekend when the store is full of uppity old ladies with their miniature poodles getting haircuts and nails done lol.

Think next time, I'm going to ask how much it costs to have a bath and massage for my 7 foot boa and 8 foot retic and see the response i get lol. I have to ask a newer employee or one who doesnt know me or else they will probably just ignore me knowing i am messing with them lol.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

So most likely due to a persons ignorance, 2 animals were killed because of them being an animal. The puppy most likely for being a curious puppy and the snake for being a snake. They shouldnt have killed the snake, they should have killed the idiot who allowed the snake to escape or kept it in an inadequately secured cage.

And it would be a cold day in hell before i let someone kill one of my snakes for just being a snake. Sad the puppy died but the snake didnt need to die too.

And on a lighter note, you would amazed the looks you get when you walk into a pet shop and ask the manager if they got their delivery of feeder parakeets or feeder kittens in. I walked in and told the manager of the place i've been going to for years "Hey Joannie, you get feeder kittens in this week? My retic is starving and ready for 3 of them succulent morsels!!". A customer who was picking up a dog from grooming just looked at me blankly lol. The manager had to let her know i was just kidding and that the store doesnt sell feeder parakeets or kittens haha.

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Right?!?!?!?! They would literally have to kill ME long before I consented to them killing my snake...for BEING A SNAKE!!!

And can you PLEASE bring somebody with a hidden camera next time you do the "feeder kitten/parakeet" bit. The looks on people's faces must be priceless!! :rofl:

Lol I made the mistake once, while (fruitlessly) trying to switch my KSB to frozen thawed, of asking if I could get a fresh killed mouse. There wasn't anyone around, but the owner swooped out of his office so fast to yell at me I swear he musta been the flash

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