Why did I wait so long to check this thread? Should have backed up Chris sooner!
This is the KEY point! He said the snake had gotten loose as early as Wednesday! This idiot should never have owned a snake. No permit and obvious improper care of an exotic, dangerous animal. Its not so much the point that nobody should own them as much as do you KNOW how to own them. I would say after 30 years of meeting and dealing with people who own these types of snakes and any other type of potentially dangerous animal that 8 out 10 don't know what the hell they are doing. Kinda like owning a Ferrari auto. Just because it can go 250 mph doesn't mean you drive it at 250mph. You must take extra care with all that power.
And the first fundamental that must be understood is that it is a wild animal. Period. It will not become domesticated. It may seem that way only because it has adapted to your enviornment but it can still be dangerous. This snake was only doing what God intended it to do, God just forgot to give the dope who claimed him a few more brain cells to use.
I usually hear that as the dog takes a chunk of my leg!
In most cases it won't bite you if it considers you the Alpha member of its "pack". But again, there are idiots that own dogs. EDIT: Don't mean this as a putdown for you, Collin. I was referncing the majority of owners who get in trouble. Sorry.
The pit bull. Great dog. Calm demeanor and very loyal. Strongest jaws in the canine world. But because it has become a status symbol within a certain culture and through that, abused and misrepresented, the reputation grows. And these irresponsible, back yard breeders continue the myth and trouble, breeding geneictally inferior animals who then cause problems later. Add in the stupid owners who think its "cool" to have a 'pittbuhll' only as an accessory and you have major problems throughout the country. Walk into any animal shelter, especially near a major city and I guarantee that 25 to 75% of the animals are pits. Not UKC bloodlines but a mix-mash of ill-tempered and wasted canines who someone once thought was "cool".
some stats on bites:
1994 - #1 biting dog in California: the Cocker Spaniel
The Dalmation once held that spot, also.
Dogs that cause the most deaths - #1 the Rottweiller followed by pits and then German Shepherds.
I cover 327 square miles with around 270,000 population. In a week's time, every week, I handle 2 - 3 dog bites. That means investigating injuries and sometimes deaths (not human so far but several other animals) caused by dogs. Thats just me in a department of 10 officers who also handle a like work load. Almost each and every time its someone who is careless and lazy owning a dangerous dog. And everyone suffers. Its a big problem.
Around 25% of hospital emergency room visits are for animal bites. About 75% of a police officers calls that are not directly Police related involve animals. And there have been too many times to count that I have had an animal suffer, either through injury or court-ordered euthansia, because of irresponsible owners.
I've said enough. It doesn't matter what pet someone has. You have to look at the other end of the leash to get an idea.