US News
Pet Burmese python kills two-year-old girl in Florida
Jul 2, 2009, 4:55 GMT
Washington - A 12-foot pet python killed a two-year-old girl in her Florida home Wednesday, police told local media.
The albino Burmese python slithered into Shaiunna Hare's bed and suffocated her to death, police said. The snake belonged to the boyfriend of the girl's mother, Jaren Hare, 23.
The python's owner, Charles Jason Darnell, 32, told police he had put the snake in a bag inside a glass aquarium Tuesday night, but saw that it had escaped when he woke up the next morning.
Police said two other children also live in the same house, adding that Darnell has a six-foot boa constrictor.
When Darnell found the python wrapped around Shaiunna, he stabbed the snake until it let the girl go, Tampa Bay Online reported. But Shaiunna was dead by the time the ambulance arrived.
State wildlife officials managed to catch the python. A police spokesman said Darnell could face charges of child endangerment. Wildlife officials said he could also face a misdemeanor charge because he did not have a permit to keep the python.
Burmese pythons, which can grow up to 20 feet, are not native to Florida. They are often imported as pets, but their owners can be unprepared for how large they get.
As the snakes are usually set loose in the Everglades, a growing number has been seen around Florida. In fact, they started breeding in the wild ten years back , according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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Older Talkback
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NO ONE - SHOULD TELL ME I CAN'T KEEP A LARGE SNAKE ! What happened to the little girl in Fla. is tragic , but the fact is , the owner of that snake needs to be held accountable . I've had exotic animals of all kinds for about 25 years - I am very careful , and all my animal enlosures are sturdy and they lock . I have never had a problem . I also want to add that most media reports that these pythons in Fla. that are loose have all been let go by irresponsible owners - the fact is - the breeding population in S. Fla. is there due to animals that were accidentally set free by hurricane damage 10 + years ago . Also , the media states that this population of snakes are slowly moving north , and could be several states north in the decades to come - the simple truth is , these animals come from areas where the climate does not fluctuate as it does here ( in S.C. , Ga., Ala. , ect. ) Even the mild winters of our nations southeast and southwest , would kill these animals . They may survive for a few months during the summer , but are physically unable to deal with the cooler temps during the rest of the year . Anyone who knows anything about these animals knows this ! So please don't tell me I can't keep the animals I choose to keep ( all of mine are captive bred by the way ). Maybe if you tell me I can't keep exotic animals because they can be dangerous , maybe I'll start to petition to ban your German Shepard or your Labrador Retriever since they to can be dangerous . How about we put our efforts into teaching people responsible pet ownership - no matter if it's a dog , a cat , or a reptile , everyone should be prepared to properly take care of the animal . But don't tell me I can't keep a large snake just because it frightens you !
NO ONE should keep a DANGEROUS snake. I didn't say LARGE snake. They should be regulated just as keeping a dangerous animal is. And I'm fully aware that not everyone uses intelligence when keeping these, but the law should be there to protect the public against them.
I think exotic animals should be kept at local zoos, if you have a taste for this kind of pet, your place should be screened periodicly, and your ability to keep them free of desease and your capacity to sustain their needs should also be evaluated. Bottom line, if you want to have that kind of pets, you should move to the amazonia, or to Borneo... you should not be allowed to keep this kind of pets! Period.
In response to 'REPEAT' , I would agree with your comment about having regulations and guidelines for keeping exotic animals , especially ones that can be dangerous ( would this include large dogs ? ). I am oposed to laws that forbid the keeping of these animals . We ( responsible keepers ) should not be penalized for the actions of a few . I welcome anyone , anytime , to come and see my animals . Now in response to 'NO Animal Hater Here , BUT ' , why should only zoos be allowed to keep these amazing creatures ? My cages are good sized , clean , and properly set up for each type of animal I keep . Fresh water is available at all times , and all animals are well fed . I also handle them frequently to check their health , give them exercise , and keep them comfortable with handling . The problem with your recommendation of me moving to the rainforrest is , the rainforrest is dwindling , and these creatures are being hunted ( to near extinction in some cases ) for meat and their skins by the local population . There are many examples of exotics of all types , that have been bred in captivity , many by private keepers such as myself . In some cases , these captive animals are the best chance of assuring the species survival in the future due to deforrestation and the shinking wild population . So in conclusion I ask you to do one thing - before you look to critisize someone like me , do some homework first - otherwise you make uneducated , silly comments just like you did above .
I don't believe any individual should be allowed to keep dangerous animals of any kind unless they have an accredited sanctuary for all the exotic animals that some idiot has tried to raise themselves and didn't do a good job of it.
I think that there should be stricter regulations on these types of animals and that the responsibility falls to the mother because she was the idiot who kept her child in that environment. I mean really, who would have a child in a house with any type of dangerous animal. And I'm not just saying exotics. I wouldnt want my kids around certain types of domesticated animals either.
My Husband and I own a large Boa Constrictor, as far as being allowed to own any reptile of this nature is perfectly fine. It is the owner responsibility to entirely educate themselves on the animal they choose. Again it is no different than owning a cat,dog,bird,lizard,or even a ferrite. For the note our snake is very loving and affectionate, animals are like people they have feelings and can feel fear. Our snake is around lots of children as well as our son. It is a tragedy what happened to the little girl, but again being owners ourselves you have to take care of your snake in the proper manner by adapting to their needs. They need tender loving care just like any other animal. Reptiles come with more responsibility, but are indeed wonderful pets.
Owning any dangerous wild animal is stupid to say the least. They are just that - wild, and can turn on anyone anytime.
Your snake is very 'loving and affectionate' - get real. He'd do you in at the drop of a hat!
I own three red tail boas. My boyfriend and I, who are only 20 and 22, are VERY
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NO ONE...Jul 2nd, 2009 - 15:37:54
should own a dangerous snake!
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