Should people who knowingly sell possible infected IBD snakes be prosecuted?

[joepythons]

With the IBD problem growing daily, i wondered something and i would like everyones opinion.Should a person who continues to sell his snakes even after said person was shown proof that IBD is linked to his collection be prosecuted? Some have mentioned that no court could succed in prosecuting any such case.I think with enough evidence any jury would have no problem comming back with a guilty as charged decision.I used a example of how someone giving another AIDS when said person knows they have it being a felony now.Since IBD is concidered AIDS version for snakes.Since this act of selling these snakes to clear out the evidence will wipeout others collections and cause large monetary losses i feel said person should be prosecuted.What do you think? P.S. I am not trying to start any fights or upset anyone by asking for opinions here.If this poll is not allowed please let me know and delete it i will understand.

[SPJ]

Hey Big Daddy,

I think anyone knowingly selling these snakes should be thrown in jail and be forced to pay compensation to their customers and other vendors at shows whose collections they compromised.

[snakedude56]

I agree 100% percent with you guys. If someone sold me an animal infected with IBD and it wiped out my collection I would be devastated(SP?). For most of us here our snakes are more than just pets, they are parts of our family.

[Shaun J]

Yes they should, but sadly, I don't think the government would care about our snakes. Today, snakes and reptiles don't get taken as seriously as other animals do in a court of law in the United States.

[lillyorchid]

I agree with Shaun.
IMO I think all things that breath have a right to live and have the best care possibly given to them. Also I think if that same breathing creature dies from neglect, then it's care giver should be held responsible. Just my opinion.

[Shaun J]

I agree with Shaun.
IMO I think all things that breath have a right to live and have the best care possibly given to them. Also I think if that same breathing creature dies from neglect, then it's care giver should be held responsible. Just my opinion.

Very true but the ignorance of people has gotten so extreme that no one will care if a snake dies. Sad isn't it.

[janeothejungle]

I agree with all the above, but I will also say that, within the community, there should be enough solidarity to expose anyone who would try and turn a profit off of sick/ neglected animals. I understand that education is half the battle and you cannot expect to reach the people who are first time buyers or aren't computer saavy. What I do think is that if enough people refuse to deal with the persons in questions, and refuse to deal with people who continue to associate themselves with said party, there has to be a way to minimize the damage.

Perhaps I'm overly idealistic but I can't help feeling that with this many people embroiled inthe issue, something can be done. Why can't the dealer be banned from shows until he can prove his animals are clean and he is trustworthy? Why can't alternative mediums (such as this) block the questionable party from selling until he can clear himself? If the only way to get the message to him is to hurt him financially, why can't we take steps to do so?

Okay, I'm done ranting. Just my opinion.

signed,
living in a dream

[Entropy]

Yes they should. I'm disgusted to still see certain ads on a certain other site in spite of all that has come to light.

But sadly in the end I believe Shaun is correct.

[nd179906]

I also think they should go to court. It is an utter emberassment that someone who sells snakes for a living or a hobby can knowingy sell infected snakes. It just disgusts me. All some people see is $ and could care less if the snake is sick and going to harm someone elses collection.

[joepythons]

Yes they should, but sadly, I don't think the government would care about our snakes. Today, snakes and reptiles don't get taken as seriously as other animals do in a court of law in the United States.

Shaun,it would not involve the goverment.If someone was to sell you a infected snake and you lost say $500+ in reptiles because of it the courts would have to take it seriously.What there personal feelings are about snakes could not even be mentioned.If say a juror was heard stating who cares its just snakes,he/she would be immediatly replaced as they would be veiwed bias towards that case.I am sure we have some lawyers in the reptile loving family or some that have freinds whom are lawyers.That would not hesitate fileing a lawsuit because of a loss that would never exist if the person who sold that IBD snake would have had it destroyed instead of dumping it.