Snakes on a MySpace Profile

[amercnwmn]

Snakes on a MySpace profile: The ugly consequences

http://news.com.com/2061-10786_3-6110098.html
August 28, 2006 10:02 AM PDT

General rule of thumb: If you own an illegal pet, you probably shouldn't put a picture of it on your MySpace profile. Unfortunately, no one told that to a man in Mecklenburg County, N.C. His beloved 90-pound pet python, Isis, was confiscated last week by animal control authorities.

According to WCNC News, the owner--no name is given, but he goes by "Smokey McBlunt" on MySpace--used his social networking page to showcase photos of himself with Isis around his neck. His neighbors caught wind of it, feared for their pets' (and their own) safety, and contacted the local animal control center. As it turns out, owning a 90-pound snake in that region isn't just scary--it's illegal. Isis was promptly whisked away to a Tennessee rescue center.

So, if you live in Mecklenburg County, N.C., remember this: Your pet snake can weigh no more than 49.5 pounds. If he's tipping the scales at more than that, you'll either have to get rid of him or put him on a diet.

According to a video accompanying the WCNC story, "Smokey McBlunt" protested Isis' confiscation, saying that movies like the recent "Snakes on a Plane" have led to unnecessarily negative perceptions of the slithery reptiles.

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[stu]

Stuff like this is exactly why I don't have a myspace account nor do I post anything too personal online.

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[dhonaker]

like my buddy forrest gump says stupid is is stupid dose

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[Radical]

lol

"The guy's name is Smokey McBlunt and all they found was a snake?"

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[amercnwmn]

lol! Good point Radical LOL

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[RevMojo]

Smokey McBlunt, snakes, Tennessee...hey, has anyone seen Toker lately?

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[amercnwmn]

lol poor Toker lol! the snake's name woulda been Elvis in that case LOL

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[MTB Mamba]

Originally Posted by dhonaker

like my buddy forrest gump says stupid is is stupid dose

pssst, it's "Stupid is as stupid does"

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[fizzbob7]

the sad thing is that the guy probably had NO way to find out the legality of the animal...........you can't just call and get info anymore because they simply don't care........when they find out you are keeping something illegal, they'll bust you to make headlines, and there will be add-ons to the story......a guy's false water cobra was confiscated here just a couple of years ago.........they added to the paper that there was no known antivenom for it so that it looked infinitely dangerous......too bad people don't know that a bite never requires antivenom from those anyway, and even at the local reptile show (which is non-hots only), they will allow the sale of false water cobras....

the old guy's snakes were all killed (even his 100% legal canebrakes, coppers and cottons) and the false water cobra was thrown in a freezer to kill it since it was so deadly and no one could handle it........earth is ridiculous, but hey, what are your options

stupid people run the place, make stupid rules and later pass on their genes to other stupid people

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[amercnwmn]

Oh, I think I'd have sought legal counsel on THAT one.

There are plenty of ways to find out what is legal and what is not. Animal Control has always provided me the information, as they don't want to have to deal with more calls than what they have.
There are also plenty of online resources as well. City Attorneys are familiar with local laws, and thanks to many responsible and caring herp lovers, we have sites like this: http://looserooexotics.com/venlaws.html that lists laws state by state. If for some reason your state is not listed, or you can't find information, there are always forum members who can help you find the information.
Just for future reference.

Now I will NOT argue that it seems a LOT of people just dont care.
I certainly wont argue the ignorance that is rampant.

I'm sorry for your acquaintance's loss, but I believe there was more that could be done in that case. There are herpetological societies in larger cities he could contact for assistance in a matter such as that. Most of them would have lobbied for him and his snakes. The herp world needs to become tighter knit and cooperate to stop things like this from happening. That includes the man who lost his snakes.

What state was that in? When was it? What city? I would make one heckuva ruckus over that one!

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[Heidi]

It is next to impossible to find information on this in Mecklenburg Co. I used to live there and was unable to get information even from Animal Control. Even still I can't find a reputable site and after looking and looking the only site I can find with the over 50 lb law was regarding this case.

I do know that NC allows it counties to pass it's own ordinances. There is no current law in NC. When looking on the Animal control site you can go through many links to find a north carolina link with Charlotte listed (Charlotte is in Meck. Co), with no posession laws, but no link at all to Mecklenburg Co. I can not find a site at all in fact that states this law.

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[amercnwmn]

Did animal control admit to seizing any snakes? Or are they denying the existance of the law? It would be interesting to find out if the man's snake was seized unlawfully like FizzBob's friend.

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[amercnwmn]

Well I clicked on the WCNC link on the actual story, and pulled up the secondary article:
http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/....358374bf.html
Pet snake taken by Animal Control

11:03 PM EDT on Friday, August 25, 2006

By ANN SHERIDAN / 6NEWS
E-mail Ann: ASheridan@WCNC.com

6NEWS

This photo prompted one community to do something about their forked tongue neighbor.

Mecklenburg County Animal Control has confiscated a 90 pound snake living in a home near Freedom Park. The snake%u2019s owner said he had the snake well controlled and it did not pose a danger to the community.

Neighbors first saw the python on their neighbor%u2019s Myspace.com page. The page shows the owner with the snake wrapped around his neck and lounging near him on the floor.

Animal Control Vet Mary Blinn said pet snakes, in Mecklenburg County, can not weigh more than 49.5 pounds.

Blinn said they can be dangerous to the owners and the public.

90 lbs python taken from owner

If left alone it could constrict around the neck and they would not be with us anymore, Blinn said.

Neighbor Colette Ladd told 6NEWS shed be afraid if the snake got out because she has cats. I wouldnt know how to handle the situation, she said.

Another neighbor, Mary Steele, said If he can maintain the surrounds and monitor it, I dont see why he couldnt have it.
Animal Control said the snake has been moved to a rescue center in Tennessee.



There is a video link on the site as well..very interesting...

Said the snake was taken from a home near Freedom Park.

I think if this is something that was illegal removal, there should be someway to reunite the snake with the owner, and protest any further laws.
We all need to stand together against this kind of crap.

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[Heidi]

On the news it said they got the snake and brought it to Tennessee to a rescue. They said there is a law, but I can't find it anywhere. I thought about calling them and asking Animal Control again to show me written ordinance. I'm sure this guy did ask for some kind of written law but I can't find it anywhere. I asked them about 10-11 years ago and there were no laws, I again asked about 7 years ago and then when we got the snakes after moving to S.C. We are right under the border though and I know how laws spread. I can't see my snakes even getting to that weight, but I still want to be well within the boundry of the law.

I would like to see this in writing also. It's been bothering me ever since I hears about it.

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[Heidi]

NC has been going through the law petitions for so long now and they keep failing. As far as I know the latest has been dropped also.

They guy also states that the snake weighed in at somewhere in the 60's lb range. They exagerated the weight.

[amercnwmn]

Man, Im telling you what.

I'm not going to turn this into a debate, but its completely herp keepers fault. There are many herp keepers who lobby against this kind of crap, and keep their eyes out for laws by reading between the laws. We can't continue to turn a blind eye. Sounds like they snuck this one in.
I'd ask for a copy of that written ordinance, and if they could not or would not give me the exact ordinance, if I was that guy, Id get an atty. Of course, financially, easier said than done.
I do find it odd a 100# dog is fine, but a 60# snake is not.

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[Heidi]

I will have to call them tomorrow. I'd like to be provided with written law also. Even if it is a law within a law. I hope to never end up back there for public school reasons but I can't say I'd never go back. I think all my snakes will stay well within the weight limit, but who is to say they don't change it at the drop of a dime also, say a 4 lb snake could definitely put enough pressure on the carotids to kill a person so they should be considered dangerous and unlawfull. I would hope this guy has done his studies and figured out the law since then.

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[Heidi]

Here is a link to the news video if you didn't see it. The area they are saying is a VERY UPPITY neighborhood. I wonder how this guy lives there?

Crud deleted it, let me find it again.

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[amercnwmn]

Well it would be terrific if there was NO law, and they had to return the snake, doubtful they would...and then you'd have that pesky neighbor ol Biddy Whatshername.

I hate that happened.
Make them provide the whole ordinance and how and when it was passed. Like I said, a good herp society, like what exists in larger cities might be able to do something like change it to a Permit Only law. At least I would think they could lobby it...Sad thing is, if this one passed unbeknownst and quietly wonder how many more have changed since people have started owning snakes. Definitely makes me want to do some further digging.

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[Heidi]

http://www.wcnc.com/sharedcontent/Vi...825-snakes.wmv

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