Read this article...

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http://www.sunjournal.com/story/274742-3/LewistonAuburn/Serpent_causes_scare_draws_stares/

So someone in my PT class told me about this article this morning.
It makes me really angry for a few reasons.
One they seemed to have difficulty coming to a conclusion regarding what type of snake this was. Within under a minute I was able to ID it as a reticulated python just by researching on the Internet.
Two the article appears confused. In the text they say the snake is non-venomous, but in the picture gallery they state the man is holding a venomous reticulated python. Hmm. I am pretty sure that these snakes are non-venomous. After a quick Internet research, oh yes I was right, non-venomous. It seems that the general public think that most if not all snakes are venomous or should I say poisonous and dangerous (although some non-venomous can be dangerous as well of course).
Three it makes me mad that this snake was loose. Either it was someone’s pet and they did not provide a proper enclosure allowing the snake to get free, or they decided they no longer wanted it because of its increasing size and dumped it. Either case the owner was not acting responsible and poses a threat to responsible snake owners who don’t want laws made against keeping snakes. And what will become of the poor snake? Hopefully someone fit to own it would adopt it.
Personally I do not think reticulated pythons or other such large snakes should be kept as pets due to their potential to be dangerous. But if one so chooses to own this type of snake they should know the long-term care and responsibility required.
Yeah I really needed to vent about that. I was so angry when I read the article because of the general publics ignorance about snakes. And then the article feeds them false information just adding to the ignorance.
Thanks for reading.