ok well, personally i dont think it'd be smart for anyone to own anything venomous...as pets anyways, for the simple reason such as these.
if the owners of hots would be smart about their handling practices then these bites wouldn't happen at all.
(for those owners of hots here that ARE smart with their handling practices, this comment does not apply to you).
ok now before ya'll yell at me, i will add that the bans/restrictions on the NON venomous species is rediculous, well, accept for the fact that the reason the ban was put on the very large species (10+ ft.) is because people are releasing them cuz they're too big to handle or too expensive to feed.
it's a no brainer really...
do your research people (not you bp.net peeps) and find out the adult size of the animal you wanna buy BEFORE you buy it. answer 2 very simple questions:
1) can i afford to feed this animal throughout it's life? &
2) can i provide the adequate housing/environment this animal will need throughout it's life?
if either of your answers to those questions is uncertainty or no then DO NOT buy that animal!
common sense.
anyhow, sorry for having to agree with some of the points in the article.
please dont hate me for my being able to see the common sense behind these things.
it's the people that are doing stupid things that are ruining it for the rest of the reptile owning community, not the politicians imposing the bans.