I'm certain that a lot of reptile keepers actually do not have issues with reptiles being used for food or clothing, Raven01, however I would like to believe that a lot of should have issues with animal exploitation which is actually very prevalent in Hollywood . Exploiting animals in this manner is unnecessary as it's purpose is for entertainment to make money which is not ethical and should not be promoted.
It has been heavily implied by one of the actors in the TWD that the snake was real and in one of the interviews that a piece of the snake (later confirmed to be the rattler in the after show for TWD) was given so from what I have seen and read, it seems pretty clear that the snake did not leave that set unharmed.