Pet python strangles toddler

[Moongirl]

MSNBC.com


Pet python apparently strangles girl
The snakes are not native to Florida, but many people keep them as pets
msnbc.com staff and news service reports
updated 10:42 a.m. PT, Wed., July 1, 2009

msnbc.com Video Player


OXFORD, Fla. - A 2-year-old girl apparently was strangled Wednesday by her family's 12-foot-long pet Burmese python, officials said.

The Sumter County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the death happened at the girl's home near Oxford, NBC affiliate WESH of Orlando reported.

WESH reported that an adult at the home woke up and found the snake wrapped around the girl, who was identified as Cheyenna Hare.

Charles Darnell, the boyfriend of the girl's mother, said he stabbed the snake and called 911, according to Lt. Bobby Carruthers.

WESH reported that Darnell told deputies he left the snake in an aquarium in a bag when the family went to sleep.

The python was one of two snakes in the home — the other is a 6-foot-long boa constrictor. Both snakes are alive, Carruthers said.

Two other children also lived there, WESH reported.

The Humane Society of the United States said including Wednesday’s death, at least 12 people have been killed in the U.S. by pet pythons since 1980, including five children.

Pythons are not native to Florida, but some residents keep them as pets, especially Burmese pythons, which can grow to more than 15 feet and weigh more than 150 pounds.


When the snakes become too large, some owners release them into the Everglades and other wild areas, Florida officials say.

The fast-growing population of snakes has been invading southern Florida's ecosystem since 1992, when scientists speculate a bevy of Burmese pythons was released into the wild after Hurricane Andrew shattered many pet shop terrariums.

Scientists don't have an accurate estimate of how many pythons are in Florida, but estimates range from thousands to hundreds of thousands.


© 2009 msnbc.com
URL: Pet python apparently strangles girl - Life- msnbc.com



MSN Privacy . Legal
© 2009 MSNBC.com

[holly]

I can't stand snakes! They give me the heebie jeebies.

[shedevilang]

wild animals are not pets ppl

[heart_leigh]

That's just awful. I'm guessing the python mistook her for food and squeezed her.

[crumpet]

All snakes aren't the same. I have a Ball Python which is very docile and small (compared to other larger pythons). Any snake over 8 feet should never be handled by one person alone; that is the size at which they tend to be lethal, at least to adults. Burmese pythons are one of the largest breeds along with the Reticulated ones which tend to have nasty dispositions as well. It is irresponsible to obtain any animal for a pet unless you have the means to house it properly throughout it's life. honestly, a snake that sizes needs it's own room, not some damn aquarium. And leaving it alone with a small child is akin to leaving a loaded gun on the table. People should not have certain pets or certain breeds of certain animals when they have children. Very few people have the facilities to properly care for such creatures.

I'm so sorry for this child....that is a terrible way to go.

[msdeb]

damn, how that child must have suffered.

[Sarzy]

Holy moly! What a thing to happen.

[McJag]

My God. I hope he gets jailed for complete stupidity.

[Penny Lane]

Poor poor baby.. old enough to fully experience the horror of the situation and too young to get help. RIP.

[cupcake]

They had a boa constrictor in the house as well. and no license for either.

[L1049]

Crumpet- yay another ball python owner I just got one 2 weeks ago....I call him Monty.

I have no problem with people owning snakes since snakes that are most common as pets are small enough to fit in an aquarium.

Than you get douchebags like this...

[A*O]

I don't have a problem with snakes but I have no idea why anyone would keep one as a pet. What do they DO? Can you train it to at least bark at strangers or fetch a stick or something?

[crumpet]

Originally Posted by L1049

Crumpet- yay another ball python owner I just got one 2 weeks ago....I call him Monty. Mine is Kenzi!

I have no problem with people owning snakes since snakes that are most common as pets are small enough to fit in an aquarium.

Than you get douchebags like this...

Originally Posted by A*O

I don't have a problem with snakes but I have no idea why anyone would keep one as a pet. What do they DO? Can you train it to at least bark at strangers or fetch a stick or something?

Well, some people handle theirs more than others. Occasionally I take mine out when walking my dog in the summer (he's around my neck/shoulders). It's actually cool how many kids and parents are not afraid of him and the kids feel so brave when they pet him, lol. Everyone who has ever been scared to touch a snake is always pleasantly surprised and how much different it feels than they expected. They may still fear snakes, but tend to be less afraid after touching him and feel good about themselves for getting past it at least a little bit. They don't do tricks or come when you call but they are very cool to observe and extremely low maintenance. Once you buy they aquarium, dish, and lights you are set. Heat bulbs get changed less than once per year and I only have to buy a frozen rat to feed him every 2 or 3 weeks at most. In the event you want to travel, you can do so without making lots of arrangements for them, just make sure there is a huge bowl of water. If my snake went for 2 months without eating he would still survive fine, but that would be mean to let him be hungry.

[cmmdee]

Uh, yeah.. no thanks:

[crumpet]

^^^LOL. You all know that ball pythons are nowhere close to that, right?