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.
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