Breaking News....Burmese Kills 2y/o....

[Hypancistrus]

BTW, many years ago, I had a REAL 12 - 13' Burmese grab my 6 month old cat, in a real feeding response (it had already eaten a rabbit and was looking for more). I was standing there and saw it happen. I was able to unwind it one loop at a time until I freed the cat (which did survive). I certainly did not need a knife (which would have meant leaving the cat, wasting precious moments) to accomplish it. And my python was at least twice as heavy as the one in the photo.

We had to lock our kitten away the other day when we had Carlos out on the floor. Stupid cat would not stay away, and kept pawing at his tail.

 

[wade]

I used to have Boas as long as that snake and a lot heavier. My wife was feeding them one day and one got her hand instead of the rat. It coiled up her arm, she smelled like rat (don’t tell her I said that). We pealed him off, it took some effort but both the snake and wife survived. This guy was supposed to have had two other large snakes in the house. He had to have had at least a little experience and understanding of how to handle the snakes. The last thing in the world I would think of is a knife.

 

[wade]

Go back up and look at the girth of that snake compared to the police officers arms. That snake is eating large rats, not children. Why would a snake that size mistake a sleeping child as a prey item.

When a snake feeds the first thing it does is grab the prey with it's mouth and then starts throwing coils. Don't you think that kid would be screaming bloody murder when that snake bit her.

 

[RavenSpirit360]

"...Are sure the parents didn't kill her and blame the snake? A little suspicious to me."

That was actually my first thought, even BEFORE I saw the size of the snake. One of the articles I read said that police had been called there previously for domestic violence. If things got too rough, and the toddler accidentally died, they could have tried to stage something to get themselves off the hook. Now that I see the "12 foot" snake, I am more suspicious. Of course, that size snake COULD HAVE killed a toddler, and even MIGHT HAVE, if the child tried to grab it and it got scared, bit her, and a feeding response ensued. But if the child was sleeping, that snake probably would not have seen a 2 year old as a meal, and it is doubtful that it would have attacked. But anything is possible. I am sure they will do an autopsy to find out what really happened.

BTW, many years ago, I had a REAL 12 - 13' Burmese grab my 6 month old cat, in a real feeding response (it had already eaten a rabbit and was looking for more). I was standing there and saw it happen. I was able to unwind it one loop at a time until I freed the cat (which did survive). I certainly did not need a knife (which would have meant leaving the cat, wasting precious moments) to accomplish it. And my python was at least twice as heavy as the one in the photo.

Presumably, the man stabbed the snake because he thought the child might still be alive. So why would he go look for a knife when the snake was not all that big, and the child might die while he got the knife? Sounds a little strange to me. At first, I thought maybe the snake was so big that the man couldn't cope with it. But that snake is just not that big for a full grown adult to deal with.

I agree with you, a snake that size would be easily removed, and certainly by someone the size of the boyfriend. He is not a small frail man. I had to step back for a minute and remember how big a 2 year old is. I can see how one can be killed. BUt also I don't see why it would crawl up into the crib of a sleeping infant and kill it if it is sleeping either...

 

[RavenSpirit360]

I used to have Boas as long as that snake and a lot heavier. My wife was feeding them one day and one got her hand instead of the rat. It coiled up her arm, she smelled like rat (don’t tell her I said that). We pealed him off, it took some effort but both the snake and wife survived. This guy was supposed to have had two other large snakes in the house. He had to have had at least a little experience and understanding of how to handle the snakes. The last thing in the world I would think of is a knife.

Unless he remembered reading the story about the retic that attacked the child out here and they stabbed the snake.. Maybe thats where he got the knife idea?

 

[tom e]

You know what sounded really suspicious to me the first time I read it? What the person said on the phone to 911
"The stupid snake just killed my kid" or something to that extent.
'Stupid snake' REally?!? Something about that doesn't sound natural to me. I kept that to myself, but since we're bringing up suspicions..

 

[Michael823]

I can only imagine the decision making skills wouldn't include proper handling, I would have probably thought to try to cut the snake in half as well. We're talking a parent trying to save their child's life, and constrictors tighten up the more you pry, so stabbing was probably the most instinctive choice. I doubt that snake is even 10', but a 2yo is very small, and I bet it would easily be able to strangle a child that small.
Looking at the snake makes me realize how relatively common a snake that size is, and I'm sure plenty of people have had them escape. Sure if it was my snake, and my child, that snake wold be in a fool proof tank, in a fool proof room. But I'm sure the parents will blame themselves for the rest of their lives, and hindsight is 20/20.
I can agree with the carelessness to an extent, but I also try to put myself in the parents shoes. This is the most tragic day of their life, they lost a child and have to live with the guilt of being responsible. I know plenty of people here love their snakes, and would probably never let something like this happen. But I'm sure some have let their guard down before, and have had snakes, or children escape out of their view.
All I'm saying is let's not be so quick to judge, or harsh about the situation. This was a child's life, and shouldn't be overshadowed by animal activists on either side. Accidents happen, irresponsibility is a common deformity in the human race, and we should try looking at ourselves a little here. People narrowly miss disasters every day, this disaster just so happened. Children get hit by cars, kidnapped, fall down stairs, etc... does every parent really keep 100% focus everywhere they go. Imagine the guilt of having such a terrible thing happen, and now they will be reminded of it every day watching the debate over reptile ownership.
I'll choose to assume the parents are irresponsibly innocent, and try to sympathize with their loss.

 

[tom e]

I'll choose to assume the parents are irresponsibly innocent, and try to sympathize with their loss.

I'd rather apoligize for being suspicious, then to see anyone get away with anything.
At any rate, I'm sure it's not going to be very hard to investigate. Cause of death would have to be consistant with constriction. Autopsy will be happening regardless.

 

[Hypancistrus]

I can only imagine the decision making skills wouldn't include proper handling, I would have probably thought to try to cut the snake in half as well. We're talking a parent trying to save their child's life, and constrictors tighten up the more you pry, so stabbing was probably the most instinctive choice. I doubt that snake is even 10', but a 2yo is very small, and I bet it would easily be able to strangle a child that small.

I just listened to the 911 call... can be found here... http://www.clickorlando.com/news/19914383/detail.html

The man says "Our snake got out and into the babies crib and strangled her. I'm going to kill the bit**."

Maybe that cut is a retaliation for the death of the child?????

All I'm saying is let's not be so quick to judge, or harsh about the situation. This was a child's life, and shouldn't be overshadowed by animal activists on either side. Accidents happen, irresponsibility is a common deformity in the human race, and we should try looking at ourselves a little here. People narrowly miss disasters every day, this disaster just so happened. Children get hit by cars, kidnapped, fall down stairs, etc... does every parent really keep 100% focus everywhere they go. Imagine the guilt of having such a terrible thing happen, and now they will be reminded of it every day watching the debate over reptile ownership.
I'll choose to assume the parents are irresponsibly innocent, and try to sympathize with their loss.

You are 100% correct... so why aren't we rushing to ban cars, stairs, etc? Why don't we as a society push for harsher punishments for violent felons, especially repeaters? "We" (society at large) pick and choose what to be outraged about. In this case, people have become outraged over the perceived safety of large snakes. And yet... from one of the news articles, which you know is the worst data they could find...

At least 12 people have been killed in the US by pet pythons since 1980.

Now, tell me about the risk of pet pythons in our homes?? Hell, more kids than that are killed on playground accidents in one YEAR in my city-- lets ban playgrounds too! And what about ponies? How many people are killed by their horse every year, when it hauls off and kicks them in the head? I bet you it's more than 12! Ugh!

 

[tom e]

I just listened to the 911 call... can be found here... http://www.clickorlando.com/news/19914383/detail.html

The man says "Our snake got out and into the babies crib and strangled her. I'm going to kill the bit**."

Maybe that cut is a retaliation for the death of the child?????

I can't listen on the computer at work, but the article you linked has this quote in the text..

"Our stupid snake got out in the middle of the night and strangled the baby," the caller said. Not that it means anything- It just seems like a strange thing to say. Who knows, maybe shock..

EDIT, At home now and heard the call. Yep, you're right Hyp.. Don't know where the papers are all getting that strange quote.. Also worth noting in the call the person says the snake is about 4 foot long if I'm understanding correctly..

 

[Cflaguy]

From Bay News 9.....

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2009/7/1/491284.html?title=Florida+child+strangled+by+Python+

Be sure to check out the video.

and see how the media is portraying large snakes. Every news item I've seen goes from the story to how pythons are on the loose in Florida and how they kill and can kill humans. All afternoon anchors to the man/woman, pythons squeeze their "VICTIMS" till they die.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/19914383/detail.html

be sure to check the video here as well.

 

[wade]

I looked up some statistics for a friend of mine who was afraid of snakes. I was looking at snakes in general including big snakes and venomous snakes. I found that you were 3 times as likely to be killed by your toaster than a snake.

12 deaths in 29 years does not seem like a problem to me. I would think there are lots of other things to be frightened of.

 

[Cflaguy]

Another link.....

this one has a mention from our friend George Van Horn, but still paints snakes as evil animals who go on daily patrols seeking human blood.

http://www.wftv.com/news/19915016/detail.html

 

[Michael823]

I found that you were 3 times as likely to be killed by your toaster than a snake.

I've toasted many a bagel in my day too, boy am I one brave soul. I try to remain calm when I'm toasting them, and try not to show fear, I think that's what's kept me alive thus far. But just one wrong move and...POP...GAME OVER! I can't help it though, I live on the wild side of life, toasting is just what I do.

 

[Calift]

No one is blaming a snake, a snake is an animal and not a domesticated animal. I am not sure what other category there is but domesticated or not domesticated. I don't think you can compare a deadly snake to a dog. Dogs are domesticated animals so they need to be judged as individuals because any breed can have a troubled dog but more dogs then not are fine with families.

There is no way to make a python an appropriate family pet. There is no individual python that would be okay for your child to be around. Deadly animals do not belong in homes they need to be where nature intended them to be.

This is a horrible tragedy that could have been completely prevented."


UGHHH.......more IGNORANCE! How do I respond to that???


Here's the thread it's from. I'm "HR" on the forum:

http://forums.petfinder.com/viewtopic.php?t=171390

 

[tricksterpup]

I just sat there and watched the news video. I would have liked to have seen the clip on pythons that was aired later in the day.
But from what it sounds, it was the owner's fault due having the animal in not the right enclosure and also not having the proper permit.
That is going to hurt us the most folks. That is one of the options of keeping one of the big 3 snakes. It is the permit and chip. Well this shows that it does not work. I am curious how it is going to go with him on that.

Does a Breeder in Florida need to make sure the buyer has the proper permit?

 

[snakemom1961]

it is an awful tragedy.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/19914383/detail.html

In this article it said the snake was 8.5 feet. Seeing the pictures of the snake I'd believe that to be closer to the truth.
What kills me is in that article it also states that the snake had escape on previous occasions the latest time was earlier on wednesday.

How on earth could that man NOT make sure the enclosure was safe and secure when he's had previous escapes. None of that makes any sense to me.
It just makes me so angry that people are so ignorant and totally lack caring for the animals they have taken responsibility for.

 

[Nanci]

Front page news here today. At least there's an accompanying article about burms as pets, burns in the Everglades and burms in general.

http://www.gainesville.com/

 

[Hypancistrus]

Being suprised that this moron had not followed the Florida law with regards to permitting and microchips is crazy. That is the thing about laws like this... the only people who comply with them are the people who are already doing the right thing because they are responsible, law abiding people. The irresponsible criminals are never going to comply because they ARE irresponsible criminals.

It's the same situation with gun control. It always amazes me when people point to violent criminal offenders with guns and say "clearly we need more gun control."

Uh... no. We need fewer criminals.

 

[starsevol]

Being suprised that this moron had not followed the Florida law with regards to permitting and microchips is crazy. That is the thing about laws like this... the only people who comply with them are the people who are already doing the right thing because they are responsible, law abiding people. The irresponsible criminals are never going to comply because they ARE irresponsible criminals.

It's the same situation with gun control. It always amazes me when people point to violent criminal offenders with guns and say "clearly we need more gun control."

Uh... no. We need fewer criminals.

Lauren, I tried to rep you but need to spread some more around...