Cops episode - killing a harmless snake

[Lolo76]

Can't really "bash" the police for not knowing when you yourself don't seem to know that snakes aren't poisonous, they're venomous.

C'mon... I know the proper terminology, I was just using the same word as the cops did. It was like 4am when I typed that, for crying out loud. Anyway, back to the topic at hand.

[Artic_exotics]

Wikipedia has a good paragraph on the difference between poisonous and venomous...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venom#V..._vs._poisonous

Although I agree that it is somewhat irritating that people do use the words poisonous and venomous interchangably, I do believe we are getting off the topic of how sad of a story this is....

Maybe we should focus our thoughts on constructive efforts instead of criticizing each other... I think the fact that the original poster switched the two words just proves the point that they themselves were trying to make. We need more education. Just my

[Lolo76]

You really didn't get my point. Lolo called them morons for thinking it was a "poisonous" snake when she herself doesn't seem to know the difference between poisonous and venomous!

She shouldn't be calling them morons if she herself doesn't know the difference.

For the record, I wasn't calling them morons for not identifying the snake, since I don't even know for sure what it was... hence the (?) I put after rat snake. I was calling them morons (perhaps too strong a word) for using violent/fatal methods, before even attempting to find a better solution. And when the cop said "We didn't want it to end that way" after showing NO concern for the animal's well-being, I couldn't help being angered by them.

My sister worked for the police department (as an attorney) for nearly 8 years, so I have nothing but respect for the work they do... but even she admits they aren't perfect, and I think we have the right to call them out on their mistakes. JMO, take it or leave it.

[Lolo76]

Maybe we should focus our thoughts on constructive efforts instead of criticizing each other... I think the fact that the original poster switched the two words just proves the point that they themselves were trying to make. We need more education. Just my

Thanks. I admit to being a relative "newbie," as I've only been a reptile keeper for under a year (aside from a few childhood pets). But at least I try to educate myself on things I don't understand, and venemous, poisonous or otherwise, I'd never resort to killing an animal unless my life was clearly in danger - which was NOT the case with this snake vs cops situation. I really wish you'd seen the episode, and then you'd be as angry as I was... their callous disregard for a beautiful living creature was unnecessary, plain and simple.

[Lolo76]

Also thought I'd mention that these cops live in Florida, where you'd think they would have more experience & knowledge with snakes - venemous or not. The cop who bashed the snake even said himself "We get piles of these in our yard all the time, and either kill them or chase them away." If you had constant sightings of a particular snake at your home, wouldn't you take a minute to educate yourself on them? If nothing else, just to make sure it wasn't a threat to your family?

I live in San Francisco, where it would be highly unusual to see a wild snake wandering around... but living in a place like Florida, it would behoove them to get a bit of education on reptiles. When I lived in Lake Tahoe, we spotted a young bear in our apartment complex - that one sighting was enough to make me do a little research, and learn about the critters who shared our land (not limited to bears). Common sense, ya know?

[blackcrystal22]

You really didn't get my point. Lolo called them morons for thinking it was a "poisonous" snake when she herself doesn't seem to know the difference between poisonous and venomous!

She shouldn't be calling them morons if she herself doesn't know the difference.

Now do you understand?

We understand the difference between venomous and poisonous and if the OP did not already, which I'm pretty sure they did (they were just referring to the way the cops said it, at least, that's how I read it) then they do now. No need to harp on it.

Back on subject, it is terrible how some things that are misunderstood are treated with such disrespect and abuse. It's a shame for the animals and only puts them in a bad light surrounded by stupid people.

[coldblooded]

Unfortunately, the common mentality is "The only good snake, is a dead snake". Many people don't care what the are and they'd rather not find out, they just want it dead.

It's sad, but the best that we can do as a community is try to educate people whenever we can. We have to be responsible and show them the good sides of these animals, not the dark, vile one that the media likes to make up. We also have to show them that we as a community are not a bunch of disturbed individuals but we are just people that love our pets and hobby.

Also thought I'd mention that these cops live in Florida, where you'd think they would have more experience & knowledge with snakes - venemous or not. The cop who bashed the snake even said himself "We get piles of these in our yard all the time, and either kill them or chase them away." If you had constant sightings of a particular snake at your home, wouldn't you take a minute to educate yourself on them? If nothing else, just to make sure it wasn't a threat to your family?

I live in San Francisco, where it would be highly unusual to see a wild snake wandering around... but living in a place like Florida, it would behoove them to get a bit of education on reptiles. When I lived in Lake Tahoe, we spotted a young bear in our apartment complex - that one sighting was enough to make me do a little research, and learn about the critters who shared our land (not limited to bears). Common sense, ya know?

[Lolo76]

We understand the difference between venomous and poisonous and if the OP did not already, which I'm pretty sure they did (they were just referring to the way the cops said it, at least, that's how I read it) then they do now. No need to harp on it.

Yes I do - and DID - in fact know the difference... it was 4am, I had just watched the episode, and simply used the wrong word (their word) in the moment. So sue me. But at least the second poster had the decency to offer information, instead of resorting to name-calling and condescending tones. Totally not needed, especially when it has nothing to do with my original point. Luckily that crap doesn't bother me, and I'd just like to get back on-topic!

Back on subject, it is terrible how some things that are misunderstood are treated with such disrespect and abuse. It's a shame for the animals and only puts them in a bad light surrounded by stupid people.

I agree, and never realized how bad it was until I started keeping reptiles... even the most well-educated people are clueless about snakes, and respond out of fear and "bad press." Same as with Pit Bulls, who are generally fine dogs with the right owner. Rather than writing an angry letter, I may just write an informative one - not on snakes themselves, but on the need to educate their police officers & public. And I wonder, do they have any kind of wild animal control in their town, to help with these situations? Even here in the city we have something like that, and it's recommended to call them before taking action on your own. Once again, it seems like common sense to me.

[_Venom_]

It's just a snake.

[jere000]

Man, that's really sad.

I heard a story a while ago, kind of like this, but it does involve a snake getting killed:

There was a man who had this albino boa that he adopted and he was going to take it to the vet for a check up (I think?) and he stopped by a Star Bucks to get a cup of coffee. He had this snake in an army bag in his car, and when he ran inside to get the coffee he had the doors unlocked, but only in there for 2 minutes. When the man got back the bag was gone. He tried searching everywhere for it, and even put up posters. A while after, the snake was found on the ground with rocks near it. The snake was beaten with rocks that were thrown at it, and then the head was chopped right off.

It's a pretty sad story, and I think this snake also had a litter of baby boas.

The person your thinking of is Richard Carew at sublime boas it is really sad that something like that would happen but people are ignorant.