Quote Originally Posted by BiG~PUN
First off something should be done. Try all you can to get the spca to get involved. The parents should understand the responsibility of owning a pet. Some one needs to take responsobolity here. Good on you for doing that.

The part I am troubled with is that you told him to have the animal put down.
As you stated you are not an expert. In my opionion you MUST be an expert to give such advice. The FIRST thing that should be done is take the animals to a reptile specialist vet. Please unless you are 110% that is what needs to be done do not give such advice.
I wish I would have taken pics but the blackberry doesn't have a camera, it was bad enough to where you don't need to be an expert to come to that conclusion. I understand what you're saying, and maybe I did it more for shock factor than anything else, to actually get him off his ass and taking care of his business like he needs to be. I DID express (to his parents) that they NEEDED to have these pets checked and treated, his father chuckled at me and said "we aren't going to do that", thats a direct quote.

Now if you were in my position and your plea for treatment was thought to be a joke would you rather let that animal suffer in that household, knowing that it will continue to be "cared" for as it is?