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RE: In the news...
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by FLherp on July 2, 2009
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Larry,
I think there are currently around 500 VRLs and ROCs in the state, which should tell you that there are a few folks who are unaweare of the requirements or don't care...
Jeff
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RE: In the news...
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by tigers9 on July 3, 2009
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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-orlando-python-attack-070309,0,4316339.story
Tot's death renews debate: How risky are pythons?
Authorities remove a python from a residence on C.R. 466 in Oxford on Wednesday after it killed a 2-year-old girl earlier in the day. (TOM BENITEZ, ORLANDO SENTINEL / July 3, 2009)
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• Charles Darnell, owner of python that killed girl
• Poll: Ban pythons & other exotic snakes?
Should Florida ban pythons and other exotic snakes?
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• Python strangles girl, 2, in Sumter County
• Photos
• Burmese python attacks, kills Sumter County girl
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By Martin E. Comas and Anthony Colarossi Sentinel Staff Writers
July 3, 2009
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When an albino Burmese python slipped into a crib and killed a sleeping 2-year-old girl in Sumter County this week, it revived debate about the wisdom of keeping these exotic reptiles as pets — and spurred some owners to try to get rid of theirs.
Pythons are wreaking havoc in the Everglades, mostly because of people who can't handle the creatures and are dumping them in large numbers. In 2002, rangers captured 14 Burmese pythons. Then last year, the number soared to 311. Biologists say the non-native giant snakes are throwing a wrench into the ecosystem and are quickly replacing alligators as the dominant predators.
"They disrupt and change how the system works," said Linda Friar of Everglades National Park in Homestead.
After an autopsy Thursday, the Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Shaiunna Hare died from asphyxiation. The preliminary results also confirm that wounds to the child's forehead and upper arms "were indeed bites," Sumter sheriff's Lt. Bobby Caruthers said.
Also Thursday, the Sumter County Sheriff's Office released three May incident reports involving Charles Darnell, the boyfriend of Shaiunna's mother who owned the 8 1/2 -foot python. In one, Darnell, 32, was investigated for neglect of a child and child abuse. But the case, which alleged drug use and dealing, was ultimately unfounded. The state Department of Children and Families also investigated and did not find enough of a risk to take children from the home. As for any charges against Darnell in the python death, Caruthers said none is expected during July Fourth weekend: "There's a time and a place for everything. They're in a time for grieving right now."
Albino Burmese pythons, similar to the one that strangled the toddler, were once extremely rare but are now among the most popular type after years of extensive breeding. Native to Southeast Asia, they relish a warm, humid climate and a watery environment. And the growing numbers in the Everglades mean the pythons are reproducing wildly in a place they feel at home.
"It's just a wonderful environment for that to happen," said Joy Hill, spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Hill said wildlife officials haven't seen former owners letting Burmese pythons loose in Central Florida.
"At the moment, we do not have that problem," she said.
The snakes feast on various animals, including small alligators, wading birds and rare Key Largo wood rats, a federally endangered species. In 2005, a 13-foot Burmese python exploded after it tried to swallow a 6-foot alligator in the Everglades. The snake's carcass was found with the alligator's hindquarters protruding from its midsection.
In recent years, Burmese python sales have been more common because of the Internet. A python can cost from $200 to more than $1,000 online. But in 2008, Florida enacted new rules that label many exotic pets as "reptiles of concern" and require owners to pay a $100 permit fee and have microchips implanted into their animals for identification purposes if they slink off unnoticed. To date, Florida has issued nearly 450 such permits. That includes 20 in Orange, 11 in Volusia, eight in Osceola, six in Seminole and four in Lake.
Darnell did not have such a permit for his python and likely will face a second-degree misdemeanor, according to state wildlife officers. The charge is punishable by up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail.
Regulations affecting sales
In February, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., introduced a bill to ban the import of all pythons into the U.S. But most of the pet Burmese pythons in the country, including those in Florida, did not originate overseas, according to snake experts. The snakes are coming from birthing and breeding facilities, said George Van Horn, owner of Reptile World Serpentarium in St. Cloud.
Van Horn said he received several calls Thursday from Burmese python owners wanting to unload their pets after hearing of the Sumter girl's death. He said the added new regulations are making the snakes less trendy.
"In my opinion, I think we have passed the peak of people going out and getting [Burmese] pythons," he said. "But if people are interested in keeping these animals and are willing to do it in a responsible manner, they should continue to do so."
Tom Brudek, owner of Animal World Pet Center in Leesburg, said he stopped selling Burmese pythons after the new regulations. "Once the law came into effect, we would have people come in asking if they could sell us their snakes," he said. "But I couldn't take them. I couldn't resell them."
Stephen Ratteree of Macon, Ga., owns five Burmese pythons, from 2 to 16 feet. He is now trying to sell his two smallest ones online.
"They're great pets to have," he said. "As long as you treat them right, as long as you feed them — like any other animal — they're very good ... They roam the house."
Ratteree said he feeds his largest pythons small goats and rabbits.
Eli Gerolimos of Melbourne, who owns male and female Burmese pythons ranging from 10 feet to 16 feet, said he collects the exotic reptiles as a hobby.
"It's a big responsibility having an animal that big," he said. "You have to be very cautious. I have someone with me when I clean their cages. ... These aren't animals that you can just say, 'Oh, that's real cool' and go out and get one."
It's unclear when and where Darnell obtained his unnamed python, which was treated by a vet and will remain in "medical rehab" at an undisclosed location until the investigation is completed, Caruthers said.
Darnell's troubles
More about Darnell's background emerged Thursday. Caruthers said he learned Darnell lost a young child five years ago due to meningitis. And in the abuse and neglect investigation, one child interviewed by a deputy and DCF investigator said "his father made him go outside or into his room whenever he smoked weed." A second child told the deputy, "My father smokes weed."
The deputy noted that he saw no signs of physical abuse to the children and "no immediate dangers inside the residence and no illegal narcotics in plain view."
On May 4, the investigating deputy learned from a DCF investigator that Darnell was participating in a drug-abuse program. The DCF investigator said "he did not observe any evidence to substantiate criminal child abuse." Darnell had no prior instances of child abuse or neglect. The case was then determined to be unfounded.
During another incident May 11, Darnell was arrested and charged with criminal mischief after an argument with his ex-wife at his home. On May 22, he was pulled over for having an expired tag. He was driving with a suspended license and arrested on four drug-related charges.
Martin E. Comas can be reached at 352-742-5927, mcomas@orlandosentinel.com or on Twitter @mcomas. Anthony Colarossi can be reached at acolarossi@orlandosentinel.com
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RE: In the news...
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by Cro on July 3, 2009
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Well, if you folks in Florida lose your right to keep large constrictors because of this, I would suggest that you all pay this Charles Darnell fellow a visit, to personally "thank" him for his efforts in getting the laws changed.
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