We get that bad name because of the people who actually DO those things. Just think; if it weren't for the idiot who owns the Burmese python just for show who tries to feed by hand and looses an arm, or the hysterical ignorant person who calls the cops to report that his neighbor has a 'giant snake'(actually a 3' ball), the media would have no reason to pay attention to snake owners...or at least, they would have LESS reason.

There really are people out there who will get animals to torture, resell, or feed off to something(not always snakes) from 'free to good home' ads. It's sad...but true.