Should people who knowingly sell possible infected IBD snakes be prosecuted?

With the IBD problem growing daily, i wondered something and i would like everyones opinion.Should a person who continues to sell his snakes even after said person was shown proof that IBD is linked to his collection be prosecuted? Some have mentioned that no court could succed in prosecuting any such case.I think with enough evidence any jury would have no problem comming back with a guilty as charged decision.I used a example of how someone giving another AIDS when said person knows they have it being a felony now.Since IBD is concidered AIDS version for snakes.Since this act of selling these snakes to clear out the evidence will wipeout others collections and cause large monetary losses i feel said person should be prosecuted.What do you think? P.S. I am not trying to start any fights or upset anyone by asking for opinions here.If this poll is not allowed please let me know and delete it i will understand.

Hey Big Daddy,

I think anyone knowingly selling these snakes should be thrown in jail and be forced to pay compensation to their customers and other vendors at shows whose collections they compromised.

I agree 100% percent with you guys. If someone sold me an animal infected with IBD and it wiped out my collection I would be devastated(SP?). For most of us here our snakes are more than just pets, they are parts of our family.

Yes they should, but sadly, I don't think the government would care about our snakes. Today, snakes and reptiles don't get taken as seriously as other animals do in a court of law in the United States.

I agree with Shaun.
IMO I think all things that breath have a right to live and have the best care possibly given to them. Also I think if that same breathing creature dies from neglect, then it's care giver should be held responsible. Just my opinion.

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Originally Posted by lillyorchid

I agree with Shaun.
IMO I think all things that breath have a right to live and have the best care possibly given to them. Also I think if that same breathing creature dies from neglect, then it's care giver should be held responsible. Just my opinion.

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Very true but the ignorance of people has gotten so extreme that no one will care if a snake dies. Sad isn't it. :(

I agree with all the above, but I will also say that, within the community, there should be enough solidarity to expose anyone who would try and turn a profit off of sick/ neglected animals. I understand that education is half the battle and you cannot expect to reach the people who are first time buyers or aren't computer saavy. What I do think is that if enough people refuse to deal with the persons in questions, and refuse to deal with people who continue to associate themselves with said party, there has to be a way to minimize the damage.

Perhaps I'm overly idealistic but I can't help feeling that with this many people embroiled inthe issue, something can be done. Why can't the dealer be banned from shows until he can prove his animals are clean and he is trustworthy? Why can't alternative mediums (such as this) block the questionable party from selling until he can clear himself? If the only way to get the message to him is to hurt him financially, why can't we take steps to do so?

Okay, I'm done ranting. Just my opinion.

signed,
living in a dream

Yes they should. I'm disgusted to still see certain ads on a certain other site in spite of all that has come to light.

But sadly in the end I believe Shaun is correct.

I also think they should go to court. It is an utter emberassment that someone who sells snakes for a living or a hobby can knowingy sell infected snakes. It just disgusts me. All some people see is $ and could care less if the snake is sick and going to harm someone elses collection.

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Originally Posted by bpkid

Yes they should, but sadly, I don't think the government would care about our snakes. Today, snakes and reptiles don't get taken as seriously as other animals do in a court of law in the United States.

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Shaun,it would not involve the goverment.If someone was to sell you a infected snake and you lost say $500+ in reptiles because of it the courts would have to take it seriously.What there personal feelings are about snakes could not even be mentioned.If say a juror was heard stating who cares its just snakes,he/she would be immediatly replaced as they would be veiwed bias towards that case.I am sure we have some lawyers in the reptile loving family or some that have freinds whom are lawyers.That would not hesitate fileing a lawsuit because of a loss that would never exist if the person who sold that IBD snake would have had it destroyed instead of dumping it.

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Originally Posted by janeothejungle

I agree with all the above, but I will also say that, within the community, there should be enough solidarity to expose anyone who would try and turn a profit off of sick/ neglected animals. I understand that education is half the battle and you cannot expect to reach the people who are first time buyers or aren't computer saavy. What I do think is that if enough people refuse to deal with the persons in questions, and refuse to deal with people who continue to associate themselves with said party, there has to be a way to minimize the damage.

Perhaps I'm overly idealistic but I can't help feeling that with this many people embroiled inthe issue, something can be done. Why can't the dealer be banned from shows until he can prove his animals are clean and he is trustworthy? Why can't alternative mediums (such as this) block the questionable party from selling until he can clear himself? If the only way to get the message to him is to hurt him financially, why can't we take steps to do so?

Okay, I'm done ranting. Just my opinion.

signed,
living in a dream

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Well since i noticed you are a recently new member to our group and you mentioned people who would do this should be exposed.Well he has been exposed and you may click on this link to read all the info and the name of the person who has created this nightmare.Just incase i did get clearance to post this link lol. http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...ad.php?t=89963.

Ahh. Well I had no doubt as to whom we were talking about, but the last I saw this person was still selling animals at shows and posting on KS, etc. Thus he's only been exposed to people who check fauna (and now here). I only meant that he is still managing to do business without any real hinderence Despite the evidence. It staggers me to think he is probably not losing any sleep over this as long as people keep buying. I personally, would not buy any animal from any vendor at a show where he was offering animals. This whole issue has made me rethink about how and with whom I do business. It saddens me to think of the people who will not know they have sick animals until its too late.

I'm for bringing back tar and feathering.

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Originally Posted by janeothejungle

Ahh. Well I had no doubt as to whom we were talking about, but the last I saw this person was still selling animals at shows and posting on KS, etc. Thus he's only been exposed to people who check fauna (and now here). I only meant that he is still managing to do business without any real hinderence Despite the evidence. It staggers me to think he is probably not losing any sleep over this as long as people keep buying. I personally, would not buy any animal from any vendor at a show where he was offering animals. This whole issue has made me rethink about how and with whom I do business. It saddens me to think of the people who will not know they have sick animals until its too late.

I'm for bringing back tar and feathering.

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O he has been exposed to more people then he would like.Lets see every show he has ever been a vendor at has had the link to fauna sent to them.With just word of mouth alot of people are now aware to avoid him.I cant remember what the number of the post in that thread of a email responce from him to myself is.He states nothing is wrong with his reptiles and the true reason he is being slammed is because "he is a good ole country boy" and others do not like him because he makes more money then they do.He also told me he does not remember the person(airtrixx) whom shows the proof from his vet that the snake he bought from Allen died from IBD.He does not care and thats why he is selling snakes left and right.I can not openly voice my opinion on that site that is allowing him to post ads even though they ARE aware of his IBD problem,without getting in trouble here.No need to bring our site down.:)

question: isn't this exactly why we strongly suggest quarantining any new animals?

AND

when you are purchasing a new animal... you should be checking out the breeder beforehand... not just answering some ad from some unknown person... or impulse buying one the spot from someone who don't know.

should they be prosecuted? no. our jails are overrun as it is and i think we need to make more room for child molesters and murderers rather than adding in some snake sellers to the mix.

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

question: isn't this exactly why we strongly suggest quarantining any new animals?

AND

when you are purchasing a new animal... you should be checking out the breeder beforehand... not just answering some ad from some unknown person... or impulse buying one the spot from someone who don't know.

should they be prosecuted? no. our jails are overrun as it is and i think we need to make more room for child molesters and murderers rather than adding in some snake sellers to the mix.

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Aleesha,i agree with you on the quarantining.Truthfully how many people just starting with snakes follow this rule? How many unsuspecting people at a show even think about the chances they could buy a infected snake? I am not downing newbies just pointing out a few examples of who people like Allen prey on.I wonder how someone could get ahold of the courts that are used to prosecute people on that show Animal Cops? If laws can be made to protect animals(dogs,cats,horse and etc) they should include ALL of them including reptiles.