Virginia Beach, VA - Woman killed by pet python

[redpython]

This is a sad and tragic situation that could've been avoided. I hope that people who think their snake knows and loves them, take a real look at this situation. Not being disrespectful or a downer, but a lot of people keep and encounter snakes that can potentially harm them and handle them improperly over and over.

And in my opinion, that snake doesn't look to be ten feet....remember the media always exaggerates the length of snakes.

[wilomn]

This is a sad and tragic situation that could've been avoided. I hope that people who think their snake knows and loves them, take a real look at this situation. Not being disrespectful or a downer, but a lot of people keep and encounter snakes that can potentially harm them and handle them improperly over and over.

And in my opinion, that snake doesn't look to be ten feet....remember the media always exaggerates the length of snakes.

I thought the same thing at first. Then I had a flashback to when I had a young retic. When that guy was seriously 10 feet long, in an 8 ft. cage all the way across the frong and part way back, he was about the thickness of a coke can.

Retics can stay very skinny up into the 10-12 ft. range.

Some of the reports also said 13 and 15 feet. No even close.

[SoCaliSon]

Regardless of what the rules are, or whether or not she did the right thing handling it by herself, or if it could have been avioded(all these answers are easy)... This is a tragedy, where a human life was lost. She made a mistake(Like ALL of us do at one time or another), and unfortuantely, she ultimately payed for it. We do need to learn from incidents like this, but The fact is a life was lost... Regardless of whos fault it is... I do think we need to show some compassion for the fact that she can never come back from this one mistake. At a funeral for a suicide case do we show any less compasion for the loss of life? When someone dies of lung cancer, do we skip the mourning process because it was their own bad habit that did it? No! And that kind of attitude in a situation like this, I find obsurd! Learn from these tragedies, And swallow your pride... It is obvious she made a mistake... She is gone... Get over yourself and how right you know you are and show some compassion for human life. I am sorry but the pompus attitude on this situation by some of the members has really suprised me.

Something as simple as changing lanes at the wrong time could end your life... You never know when a tiny slip up is going to end it all, don't act like you are above this.

[wilomn]

Regardless of what the rules are, or whether or not she did the right thing handling it by herself, or if it could have been avioded(all these answers are easy)... This is a tragedy, where a human life was lost. She made a mistake(Like ALL of us do at one time or another), and unfortuantely, she ultimately payed for it. We do need to learn from incidents like this, but The fact is a life was lost... Regardless of whos fault it is... I do think we need to show some compassion for the fact that she can never come back from this one mistake. At a funeral for a suicide case do we show any less compasion for the loss of life? When someone dies of lung cancer, do we skip the mourning process because it was their own bad habit that did it? No! And that kind of attitude in a situation like this, I find obsurd! Learn from these tragedies, And swallow your pride... It is obvious she made a mistake... She is gone... Get over yourself and how right you know you are and show some compassion for human life. I am sorry but the pompus attitude on this situation by some of the members has really suprised me.

Something as simple as changing lanes at the wrong time could end your life... You never know when a tiny slip up is going to end it all, don't act like you are above this.

I'm going to assume you're confused and here's why.

There is no lack of compassion for this woman and her stupid though tragic end.

There is also no letting go of the fact that she knew better and broke THE most important rule of giant snake keeping.

When your kid gets his first speeding ticket do you tell him to be more careful where he speeds so he won't get caught or do you tell him to obey the RULES and he won't have to worry about being caught.

It's a damn shame she died. If she's contributed to the gene pool let's hope the offspring got some smarts from the dad.

[redpython]

you can show as much compassion as you want to, but reality is reality.

[AaronP]

you can show as much compassion as you want to, but reality is reality.

Exactly!

[SoCaliSon]

you can show as much compassion as you want to, but reality is reality.

Your right you can have compassion for her family and freinds in this time... and it doesn't change the reality that a critical mistake casued her death. Rediculing the deceased because of the mistake that was made IS NOT compassion, and actually shows a serious lack of compassion.

[SoCaliSon]

I'm going to assume you're confused and here's why.

There is no lack of compassion for this woman and her stupid though tragic end.

There is also no letting go of the fact that she knew better and broke THE most important rule of giant snake keeping.

When your kid gets his first speeding ticket do you tell him to be more careful where he speeds so he won't get caught or do you tell him to obey the RULES and he won't have to worry about being caught.

It's a damn shame she died. If she's contributed to the gene pool let's hope the offspring got some smarts from the dad.

Assume all you want... Your still miles from the mark.

You said..."There is no lack of compassion for this woman..."

And then you also said..."If she's contributed to the gene pool let's hope the offspring got some smarts from the dad."

Are you serious? That level of dense is almost not worth my time.

We all know that she made a mistake... The only difference is that it seems you enjoy rediculing the dead in an effort to pump your own ego... Like I said... but this time I will direct it directly at you Get Over Yourself...We know this was a mistake that ended tragically, that could have been avoided... We don't need you to tell us that... and we definatley don't need you taking witty shots and making light of the situation when someone has lost their life. I could go on in response to your comment... But I personlly feel exchange of thoughts with you is no longer worth my time.

[wilomn]

Assume all you want... Your still miles from the mark.

You said..."There is no lack of compassion for this woman..."

And then you also said..."If she's contributed to the gene pool let's hope the offspring got some smarts from the dad."

Are you serious? That level of dense is almost not worth my time.

We all know that she made a mistake... The only difference is that it seems you enjoy rediculing the dead in an effort to pump your own ego... Like I said... but this time I will direct it directly at you Get Over Yourself...We know this was a mistake that ended tragically, that could have been avoided... We don't need you to tell us that... and we definatley don't need you taking witty shots and making light of the situation when someone has lost their life. I could go on in response to your comment... But I personlly feel exchange of thoughts with you is no longer worth my time.

Truth hurts Boyo.

I have not taken any shots or been rude. If you think I have then the problem lies squarely with you.

You may not like what I say. I actually could not care less. However, what I say is the plain and simple truth.

There is no lack of compassion in my stating that if she has kids they got some smarts from dad. By the outcome it is obvious this woman was NOT smart enough to have that snake.

It's a doggone shame she wasn't smart enough. But she wasn't. There is no lack of compassion. I'm not glad she's dead. I'm kind of mad that she's helped fuel the fire for not keeping large constrictors as should all who keep or are even thinking about keeping them. Her stupidity can have a direct result on my ability to keep my snakes. I'm supposed to feel more sorry for her?

Dream on man.

[jotay]

I haven't posted or been on in some time but when I read this article this morning in the Washington Post my first thought was not anything close to thinking foul play was the culprit.
So I figured I would come on here to see what others thought or if she was a member.
My first response was she made a owner mistake and it cost her the ultimate price. I said out loud why in the world was one person alone trying to give meds to a large snake?

If she did indeed work in a local reptile dept and had several snakes then all the more reason she should have known better. Before you keep giants you need to research and know what your dealing with.

I feel for her family and husband. My prayers go out to them.

On the other hand I get upset because it is just another nail in the coffin to take /ban reptiles from us. Poor judgement is what leads to most deaths, that and lack of knowledge in what your dealing with.

I understand everyone has their own opinion and if it was foul play involved once the ME's report is done then we will all know. I tend to think it was a case of bad animal mgmt.
A split second choice that you can't take back.

Hope this serves as an eye opener to all who sometimes let their guards down or get complacent that sometimes the things we deal with can be unforgiving.