Pythons confiscated from a Cleveland home

[zina10]

I agree, the owner should have been on the up and up with permits, etc. Another black eye for our hobby.

If the neighbor had a TRUE phobia, it is hard to "just get over it".

I used to be scared to death of snakes, where I come from, there aren't any. It wasn't an easy fear to get over, even though now I laugh about it.

I do have a phobia about spiders though, its not as easy as sitting next to a spider or touching one. I can't even fathom the thought of touching one on purpose. I get nauseated just thinking about it. And there are a ton of wolf spiders around here and also brown widows. I'm the only one getting the mail with salad tongs.

Going off on people and belittling them is not going to help. They will only look at us even worse.

Education is the key. And it starts with our children. I used to take snakes and reptiles (the most trustworthy and chill ones) to schools and public parks (with permission of course) for educational "show and tell". Most children don't have that irrational fear that many adults have. It was amazing to see how willing to learn those children were. How fascinated they were and how understanding. They learned to stay away from snakes in the wild , but that they don't have to fear and kill them. They learned that snakes play a role in our eco system.

They learned abit about the fascinating aspects of snakes. They walked away with a new appreciation and in some instances with a true respect and dare I say "love". And the questions I would get, it was hilarious

I respect peoples fears and phobias, but I'm always ready to educate if they are willing to listen.

[DemmBalls]

I didn't say I wasn't disturbed, I just didn't get stung.
I was kind of hoping I would get stung anyway, so the fear would go away.
They annoyed the heck out of me though! XD
Anyways...sorry for off topic.

What if you had an allergic reaction? My wife has a severe allergic reaction to bee stings. I do understand the ideology behind what you were doing, but it may not have been the best practice though?

Sorry, didn't mean to further derail...

[Slyther83]

Neighbors are just phobic, however alligator and a fifteen footer- youre asking for trouble.

I like how they add ''carnivorous'' in there, to villify the snakes. After all, cats and dogs arent carnivores, oh wait...

What a jackass reporter.

[wilomn]

I don't know if you guys have read permit applications but one of the things you give away when applying for one and keeping it order, is your right to privacy.

They have, once you are a legal permit holder, the right to come inspect anytime they want.
They may or may not give you notice. They don't have to have a warrant.

Just so you know. I am not advocating the breaking of any law.

[zina10]

Well, why I'm not keen on having my privacy assaulted that way, I prefer them checking on my animals, over taking them away.

While there may be a mess in a cage overnight, before I get to it, my animals are always taken care of, clean and healthy. If one was looking bad or sick, there would already be proof that I'm taking care of it, with a Vets assistance, if needed.

While it still leaves it open to their discretion what THEY deem proper care, I would hope they are educated about that issue. (Tubs vs. cages, etc)

I guess you would have to choose your poison I'd choose not to risk having them confiscated.

[RhacHead]

I don't know if you guys have read permit applications but one of the things you give away when applying for one and keeping it order, is your right to privacy.

They have, once you are a legal permit holder, the right to come inspect anytime they want.
They may or may not give you notice. They don't have to have a warrant.

Just so you know. I am not advocating the breaking of any law.

While it still leaves it open to their discretion what THEY deem proper care, I would hope they are educated about that issue. (Tubs vs. cages, etc)

I know the permit is probally for Large constrictors but I don't think that trying to do things right and abide the law should allow them to take your right to privacy away.

I mean if it comes to the point where I have to get a permit to keep MY ball pythons under MY roof that recieves MY hard earned money for taxes....
If that requires a permit then some people should require a permit just to have kids! I know that may ruffle a few feathers but go to a Walmart on a sunday you'll change your tune.

[BPelizabeth]

If that requires a permit then some people should require a permit just to have kids! I know that may ruffle a few feathers but go to a Walmart on a sunday you'll change your tune.

agreed

If a permit is required then that is what the person should have done. I don't think I read where they were roaming in the back unsupervised, but if that were the case then you are asking for trouble. Especially knowing you had a neighbor that was frightened. Shoot Im scared of spiders and bugs...I have friends that keep them but I would really prefer if possible dont pull them out and put them in my face.

I would hope...but then again its a niave thought (wilomn is gonna bust me on this) that they would NOT take advantage of just walking in due to giving up your rights whenever they felt like it. Maybe if there was cause or reason...I can see.

[TessadasExotics]

We will one day become an underground society.


I bet that most people are suposed to have their "exotic" pets registered or to have the proper permits to keep them. Most people don't think about stuff like this, especially if you can go to the local pet shop and purchase one. Must be ok to own it right?

[Wh00h0069]

I don't know if you guys have read permit applications but one of the things you give away when applying for one and keeping it order, is your right to privacy.

They have, once you are a legal permit holder, the right to come inspect anytime they want.
They may or may not give you notice. They don't have to have a warrant.

Just so you know. I am not advocating the breaking of any law.

It seems that everything is illegal these days. The reason that I do not register my guns is when they do decide to take away our right to bear arms, which they surely will, they won't be taking mine.

[sgath92]

My big problem with this story is how the local authorities reacted to it.

In most cities, towns, etc you need a license to own a dog. Usually part of this involves showing the local government proof that the animal is up to date on its shots.

If someone has a dog illegally, by not registering it and/or not getting its shots on time this is a big no-no. BUT when this happens usually what the local authorities do is:

(1) fine the owner for breaking the law and

(2) allow the owner to keep the animal if they pay the fines, get a license, and get those shots done in a timely & respectful manner.

Usually the only time a local government steps in and immediately confiscates the animal is if it's a neglect situation or a hoarding situation or something to that effect. It's pretty rare for dog owners to immediately have their dogs taken away simply by failing to file the right paperwork.

There's simply no reason why this story couldn't have been handled more respectfully. Give the owner a fine, give the owner a window to comply with the law and then take off the kiddie gloves if the owner refuses to take appropriate action.

Yes people need to follow laws as best as they can, but the government should care more about compliance than reacting harshly because of being offended that some citizen dared to break a local regulation. Case in point I know of a story where a woman bought a home in a historical district in some small town and went out of her way to track down some expensive antique light fixtures for her porch that would have been a perfect match to what was originally used based on antique photographs of the property. The owner did not realize that all modifications in the historic district required approval by a board of local officials. When the official(s) spotted the lights on their way in to work one day they responded by (1) fining her, (2) forcing her to take them down, (3) refused to ever grant her approval for putting them back on. Such over-reactions are counter productive, mean-spirited, and boarder on paternalism tyranny. The purpose of the historic district was to do exactly what this lady did, and they should have worked with her since that would have benefited the entire community.

TL;DR People need to try working with each other first.