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Las Vegas girl recovering from python attack
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by tigers9 on September 3, 2008
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http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=8933706
Las Vegas girl recovering from python attack
Updated: Sep 1, 2008 05:08 PM PDT
Maria Silva reporting
A local girl is recovering after being attacked by her own pet, a Burmese python. The father says he was forced to kill the snake to save his daughter. The family says they never imagined the pet they loved would attack.
While they didn't want their faces shown, they told News 3 they're coming forward to remind others about the possible dangers.
"She was wrapped around my ribs and every time I moved she'd squeeze them tighter so I couldn't breathe," 13-year-old Katherine said.
Katherine's uncle and father came to her rescue. "As I was untangling, it was wrapping around me and her both; it had my feet tied together," Katherine's uncle said.
The python was at about 15 feet long and weighed in at 40 lbs with plenty of sharp teeth. The Burmese python wasn't budging. "Stuck my hand between mouth and leg where the snake had a bite, wouldn't come off, grabbed a knife, cut the snake's head," dad explains.
The family says they kept their pet python of four years, named Victoria, in a large tank with locks. Victoria broke out and slithered her way into Katherine's room. "I'm just glad they were there because I don't know what I would have done if I was there by myself," Katherine said.
Having survived this ordeal the family now says they've learned a valuable lesson. "If you got children in the house, you shouldn't have them," Katherine's father said. "If you have one of your own, pay attention."
The attack happened early Saturday morning, the same day as a similar attack at a zoo in Venezuela. A student zookeeper there was bitten and then crushed to death by a ten foot Burmese Python who then tried to swallow the man.
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RE: Las Vegas girl recovering from python attack
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by Cro on September 3, 2008
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More proof of what I stated in previous posts about a certain size of pythons being more dangerous to work with by an un-assisted individual.
Especially, this is true when we are dealing with an individual like a teen, who is of a smaller stature.
I don't want to add to the "outlaw all pythons" movement, but I do want keepers of these animals to be awair of the potential danger, especially when they are worked by an individual with out help.
Perhaps this is where the new USARK can come in with their safety and housing standards.
The python involved in this incident should have never gotten out of the cage where it could have bitten and constricted the girl. It would not surprise me if the "several locks" on the cage were bungy cords, bricks, or duct tape securing an aquarium screen top !
Best Regards John Z
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RE: Las Vegas girl recovering from python attack
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by Crotalusssp on September 3, 2008
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I have always believed that young/inexperienced keepers should not keep any constrictor over 5 feet. For the vast majority of experienced keepers a 6-14 foot constrictor is an animals to be respected, but is not difficult to handle most times. For young/inexperienced keepers (2 years or less) these can be dangerous animals. I do not want to see constrictors or any other animals get outlawed, but I do think people need to be more educated and aware of the potential danger of these animals.
Charles
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RE: Las Vegas girl recovering from python attack
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by tigers9 on September 4, 2008
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I live in Vegas area, stupid tourists or even local teenage drivers are much worse than any occasional stupid python keeper. I love where I live, but once in a while I have to travel, but often I dread flying home, so many tourists get drunk on the plane, often their 1st trip to Vegas, they scream/sing loud on the plane ‘ Viva las Vegas”, with my luck the seat just behind me, then they rent a car and drive getting lost…
Do not get me wrong, I love ZZ Top, I just do not like the drunken tourists on the plane version of the song ;-)
Z
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RE: Las Vegas girl recovering from python attack
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by Rob_Carmichael on September 4, 2008
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This story is indeed a stark reminder of the potential of large constrictors. One thing struck me right off the bat (assuming the reporter got the info right). This snake was reported to be 15 feet and 40 pounds.....That must be one very underfed burmese python! Even a male at that size will weigh much more than that. My guess is that the info was wrong but if it wasn't, that could contribute to a snake on the loose desperate for a meal. Obviously, the continued mistake of keeping large constrictors in tanks is another contributing factor - I just don't understand why we keep making the same mistakes over and over.
Keepers of large constrictors make many mistakes including letting their guard down, not paying attention to scent cues that could elicit a strike and hold response, improper feeding protocols (such as feeding outside the cage....a huge no-no when working with large constrictors), etc. I go to shows and see teenage kids struggling to handle their pet retics...I just shake my head and hope the kid doesn't get killed. I've seen puppy dog tame burms suddenly turn but something has to trigger it and as much as we would like to think our pet "fluffy" will never harm us, they really could care less whose taking care of them. Of course, my king cobra loves me so I better shut up:-)
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RE: Las Vegas girl recovering from python attack
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by toddg on September 4, 2008
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Rob is correct. If the length dimensions are accurate, at 15 ft., even a male burmese should weigh closer to 80 lbs. than 40 lbs. Sounds like a probable feeding response from a very hungry animal. John, there is a huge difference, as I’m sure you’ll agree, between a 10 ft. and 15ft. constrictor. In fact, depending on the species, there can be a huge difference between a 10 and 12 footer. I’m not trying to downplay the dangers involved in keeping these giants. In fact, given the apparent frequency of reported attacks, I find it difficult to argue against legislation that would restrict or even ban ownership of such animals. I respectfully disagree with however, the size at which they become dangerous.
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RE: Las Vegas girl recovering from python attack
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by tigers9 on September 4, 2008
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todg, could you please be more specific about the FREQUENCY of the attacks? data/numbers/statistics?
Z
<< In fact, given the apparent frequency of reported attacks,
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RE: Las Vegas girl recovering from python attack
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by LarryDFishel on September 4, 2008
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Yeah, I think we can say with pretty good certainty that the AR lobby is making sure that EVERY serious python attack in the country if not the world makes it on the news these days.
And from the video on that news site, I don't believe the snake was over 12 feet...and maybe less.
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RE: Las Vegas girl recovering from python attack
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by toddg on September 4, 2008
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I didn’t say “frequency of attacks”; I said “APPARENT frequency of attacks”. That is, I wished to suggest that these types of incidents are SEEMINGLY……..not uncommon. Sorry for any confusion. Also, I’d like to stress that I do NOT endorse any bans on the ownership of potentially dangerous constrictors, merely that, (given the previously mentioned incidents), I can certainly see the other side of the issue.
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RE: Las Vegas girl recovering from python attack
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by Cro on September 4, 2008
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The news folks have now posted a video of the dead python. The video shows the "cage," which as I predicted, was a aquarium with a screen lid !
Check it out at:
http://video.knbc.com/player/?id=289634
and:
http://www.knbc.com/news/17380249/detail.html
Best Regards John Z
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