Mom Wants Python Who Bit Son Spared

[tricksterpup]

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpps...ho-bit-son-spared-dpgonc-km-20101107_10513041

Mom Wants Python Who Bit Son Spared
Updated: Sunday, 07 Nov 2010, 2:19 PM CST
Published : Sunday, 07 Nov 2010, 2:19 PM CST

(NewsCore) - A 14-foot-long python faces euthanasia after it bit a 10-year-old boy in West Jordan, Utah, but the boy’s mother has asked that the snake’s life be spared, the Salt Lake City Tribune reported Saturday.

The snake that bit the boy was provided for a children’s public Halloween party in West Jordan by Salt Lake City-based business Scales and Tails. Business owner Shane Richens said the female snake would be examined by a veterinarian to determine if its defense mechanisms were triggered by an illness or injury.

“We want to find out if there’s any reason she did this, but she is definitely not being used in shows,” Richen said. He said the snake had been pulled from making any public appearances.

Depending on the veterinarian’s verdict, the snake could be put down. But the boy’s mother, Christian Martin, said the incident was not the snake’s fault.

“I do not want the snake put to sleep, but it shouldn’t be around children, either,” said Martin. “Maybe it should be in a zoo.”

Martin said her son’s bites have healed and he was not traumatized, although “he is not going to want to be around snakes anytime soon.”

She said Scales and Tails has offered to cover her son’s medical bills, which she welcomes, and offered to throw him a free private party, which she does not.

Read more: Salt Lake City Tribune

 

[sallydog77]

This is really sad.
As someone who does do education with a large python (still growing), this is a huge slap in the face. At least the parent recognizes that it isn't the snake's fault.
I'm only able to do such activities because the educational center is insured up to $100,000 for these types of things.

 

[Gulf Coast Girl]

Scales & Tails


LOVE the name

 

[Irish Eyes (Mrs.Z)]

I hope the mother's wishes are taken into account and that the snake's life is spared. It can't help what it is, and who knows what caused it to bite?

 

[VickyChaiTea]

Deciding that snake should be euthanized is like saying A cat who bites someone should be euthanized. It's unnecessary and doesn't make sense. It's a snake. Snakes bite sometimes. Since it's no longer going to be around children why even consider killing it?

 

[tricksterpup]

I hope the mother's wishes are taken into account and that the snake's life is spared. It can't help what it is, and who knows what caused it to bite?

Problem is, rule number 1 in working with animals in shows is to always make sure the crowd is safe. Make sure you have full control of the head.
i do these shows and when it comes to strangers, I am always next to the head and the children get to touch the back end. I also know when my big girl has had enough of being touched and she goes back in her box until its time to leave or the next show.

The presenter should have had their hands on or near the head and if any one should have been bitten it should have been them.

But why did it bite? not sure how long it was out or being man handled. I only allow the animal to be out and touched for about 15- 20 minutes, any hissing or puffing of air and she goes up. She is just letting me know she is tired.

 

[Tavia]

That's too bad, hope they don't put it down. I think I probably saw the snake in question, Scales & Tails was at the reptile expo in Salt Lake that I got to go to a month ago.

 

[ladyq1]

Its good to see a parent with the sense to realize its not the animal at fault (too many jump at the chance for a lawsuit these days). I hope that, unless there is a health problem causing the snake to be suffering and leading to the bite, the wishes of the people involved are taken into account and the snake is allowed to live.

Anything with a mouth can bite - its a reality of animals.

I also have to wonder why the snake was able to bite the kid - the head should have been controlled - when I've let people meet our boas I ALWAYS have the head and I don't let them touch near the head. (For that matter, when I've let people meet some of the hawks and such that tolerate being touched, I keep myself between the beak/feet and the person's hand - if the bird is going to hurt someone, I'd rather it be me - I'm not going to sue my friend, and would rather spare him dealing with that at all. (who DOES have a $1mil insurance policy - he does free flight shows, requires a higher policy)

I've had people ask me about bringing critters (tarantulas, snakes, etc) to a school for presentations. I've told them unless I have signed forms from all the parents saying they are ok with their children seeing these animals and will not hold me liable for any problems from seeing them I can't do it - I know people who have had lawsuit attempts because they had a bird at a presentation and someone's kid "has had nightmares about the bird!" - so the parent tries to sue. I don't have the insurance, I can't do that. And for my tarantulas, no touching. I can't imagine all the urticating hairs on all those hands - or if a child is a bit too rough, etc...not worth the risk to the animals or myself.

I want to do educational programs eventually with groups, but first, I'd be getting insurance to cover if something happens...

Hopefully this is a learning experience for all of them, the python is allowed to live, and future presentations (with other animals probably) take a few more cautions to make sure the animal isn't getting tired of it, and is properly secured to prevent the audience from being endangered.

 

[Outcast]

It looks to me like the only way they will put the python down is if it was some type of medical issue with the snake. If it was just grumpy and he did not catch the signs. I do not see him putting the snake down.

I am also glad to see a mother with intelligence that overpowers the immediate "it bit my son, so I will sue!" reaction that happens so often in today's society.

 

[l0ck_0ff]

i absolutely love how people get mad when a snake does do something bad and then people wanna kill it.....

sometimes its not always the handler it is the snake but if a snake is reasonably dangerous and they feel he is dangerous then put it down..... like a guy was strangled by his burmese python he had for 13 years...

he had it for 13 years never a bit or anything but one day it strangles him...?


in my mind sometimes its ok to euthanize sometimes thats what has to be done. you cant always go blaming one side... it bit the kid no big deal. but if they put it own sometimes theres other good reasons for putting it down...

 

[tricksterpup]

i absolutely love how people get mad when a snake does do something bad and then people wanna kill it.....

sometimes its not always the handler it is the snake but if a snake is reasonably dangerous and they feel he is dangerous then put it down..... like a guy was strangled by his burmese python he had for 13 years...

he had it for 13 years never a bit or anything but one day it strangles him...?

Have you ever worked with a large python of this size?

I own one and its a kitten outside of the cage, but when working with her in the cage I need a second adult on hand in the room. These guys have a killer feed response and the first response is grab what goes in their cage. After you let them know you are there and and start to work with them by pulling them out, they start to mellow out.
But you should still be careful. I am not sure what story you are talking about but I am sure the owner was careless.

This is typical behavior of All Burms, even the friendly ones.

 

[Daenerys]

Anything with a mouth can bite - its a reality of animals.

That's why whenever someone asks if my animal will bite, I say "Well s/he has never bitten me before but its still a possibility, anything with a mouth can bite." So they know they pet/hold it at their own risk. If it bites its not like I didn't give them fair warning.