As a burm owner and breeder let me start by saying thank you to everyone here who understands the fault lies with the owner and not the snake. Needless to say our phones have been ringing off the hook and the most important point I try and make to someone is- IF THE SNAKE HAD ACCESS TO THE CHILD- THE CHILD HAD ACCESS TO THE SNAKE. Clearly irresponsible owners.
I am sorry this child was killed and my heart goes out to her.
However if the snake was not housed properly then I have no sympathy for the parents. I have listened to the broadcast over the news from central Florida and they stated the snake was put into a bag and placed into a glass aquarium. Where was the aquarium? Was that room locked? Was the top placed on and locked? What size was the aquarium? How was the bag secured? These are answers we may never get. An 8 foot burm is very strong-it can work itself out of a tied bag and it can push the top off an aquarium.
I have burms, I also have children. If one of my burms were to get out and harm one of my children I would be responsible. I can not find it in my heart to feel sorry for these parents, in fact, (and I am sorry if I offend anyone) they should be charged with involuntary manslaughter if it is discovered they were not keeping and caging the snake properly.
No one deserves to lose a child but what were they thinking not keeping the enclosure locked and the room the snake was kept in locked?
Like I said I have children but from day one our enclosures have been locked, the room locked, and keys inaccessible to them.
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