Reward Offered

[denial]

From: Ballroom Pythons South Michael Cole
To: Wayne Hill
Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 5:30 PM
Subject: Help

To whom it may concern.

I am looking for commitments to a reward leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s ) that released the Burmese python(s) in Tampa , Florida this past week this week
I have a commitment of 1000 from Ballroom Pythons south and 1000 from Reptile Industries to start it off and a commitment from FWC law enforcement to distribute flyers and information to the area to search for the offenders.
It is my and other industry professionals belief that this animal (s) were released not buy a pet owner but by a criminal with intent to further the legislation of banning large constrictors in the US .
Any commitment must be liquid so that it can be aid in the event that an arrest and conviction takes place so do not commit to it if you can not follow through. We will only be paying the reward if they catch the perps and convict them of Florida Wildlife Comission (FWC) Reptile of Concern violations including but not limited to the escape or release and illegal keeping and housing non licensed ROC , non microchipped ROC over 2 inches in diameter and all the other ROC rules, including possible federal lacey act violations if the animal was illegally brought into the state We are trying to raise enough money to make sure that whomever knows about the snakes release or escape comes foreword to claim their reward and to send a message that the reptile industry will not tolerate the release of non- native species .
We will be sending or commitment letter and numbers to FWC at noon on 12-11-09
We appreciate any commitment to saving our industry that you can manage.
Please send commitment letters to Michael Cole
ballroom @tampabay.rr.com
and I will be the liaison to the FWC Major in charge.

to view the story click on the link below.
12-foot-long python captured by authorities in Port Tampa

Thanks
Michael Cole
Ballroom Pythons South
CRE Loaded 6 - Ballroom Pythons South
863-439-3015
Thanks
Michael Cole
Ballroom Pythons South
CRE Loaded 6 - Ballroom Pythons South
863-439-3015




Also I am unemployed at the moment so I dont have a ton of cash to give out but I will put an extra 100 dollars of my money with this reward.

Danny

[morti]

Bump

[LdyDrgn]

I can't view the news story, I get "404 Page Not Found"

[morti]

Originally Posted by LdyDrgn

I can't view the news story, I get "404 Page Not Found"

I fixed the news story.

[M2788]

Ugh.

While the report itself isn’t too bad and I am incredibly glad to see that the snake found itself in good hands; the only words I have to say in regards to the comments made on the news page would land me my first infraction.

[snakehooked]

*facepalm*

[strikerratt]

Huge Python captured in Tampa Python Holds Woman Captive | Featured Videos | Comcast.net

[Icicle]

I hope you find the person(s)

[morti]

Looks like USARK threw some money in too. I think I'd turn in my mom for this kind of cabbage!

WILMINGTON, N.C., Dec. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In Florida last week the AP reported a 12-foot long Burmese python was captured over the weekend of December 5th in Port Tampa by authorities. Vernon Yates of Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation in Seminole, says the snake's demeanor and condition indicate it is a pet that escaped or was released. The release occurred just days before a critical vote in the US Senate on whether to ban pythons in the United States. The bill being considered is S. 373 aka 'The Python Ban' Sponsored by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL). If passed the bill would add many pythons and boas to the Injurious Wildlife list of the Lacey Act stopping the import, export and interstate transport of these animals. S. 373 is supported by the Humane Society of the United States, the largest animal rights group in the US that advocates for ending the trade in all captive bred reptiles.

Reptile industry professional Michael Cole of Tampa is concerned that the timing and circumstances of this python release are "suspicious." Cole commented that, "over the years there have been many suspected manufactured releases of animals at crucial turning points in reptile related legislation." A similar incident was perpetrated in North Carolina in 2008 when an ABC affiliate reported on a hoax involving two Monocled cobras released in Onslow County. WITN News reported that, "[NC wildlife officials] believe the snakes were placed there by the group Animal Protection Institute (API) to raise awareness in making it illegal for people to own exotic animals." In an e-mail to WITN News, API public relations director Zibby Wilder said her organization had nothing to do with the snake release. The API has since changed its name to Born Free USA and has cooperated with the Humane Society of the United States on anti-reptile legislation around the country.

Florida reptile professionals, the reptile industry and the United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) have offered a reward of $18,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved with the illegal release of this Burmese python.

Source: United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK)
Contact: Andrew Wyatt president@usark.org

[RayRay]

I hope they find the idiot that did this. However, this does not help our cause any more right now.

That's what sucks.

[morti]

Actually this kindof does help our cause. An $18,000 reward shows that we mean business about the sermon we have been preaching.

It shows that we will no more tolerate irresponsible keepers letting their snakes go than the government will.

[Hypoboa1234]

This situation as a whole BITES

[John_White]

Originally Posted by morti

Actually this kindof does help our cause. An $18,000 reward shows that we mean business about the sermon we have been preaching.

I don't think so.
Offering reward money for an alleged conspiracy motivated crime is almost comical, if we didn't have so much to lose. I think the $18K (if it really exists) should be used to directly fight the proposed ban rather that on smoke and mirrors or other distractions.