The Humane Society of the United States calls for stricter regulations on the importation and ownership of large constrictor snakes following the death of a Virginia Beach woman who was reportedly asphyxiated by a pet reticulated python Tuesday.
“Tragedies like this can be avoided with common-sense regulations at the local, state and federal levels,” said Beth Preiss, director of the exotic pets campaign for The HSUS. “To protect public health and safety, animal welfare and the environment, large constrictor snakes should not be pets.”
At least 11 people have been killed by pet pythons in the United States since 1980, including men in Ohio and Indiana who were killed by their pet pythons in 2006. Reptiles also carry Salmonella, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends keeping reptiles out of homes with children under five and people with weakened immune systems, who are most susceptible.
People get these snakes when they are small and when they become too large and difficult to handle they may be turned loose. Snakes released and escaped from the pet trade have established breeding populations in the wild, such as the Burmese pythons in the Everglades, posing risks to people, pets and native wildlife.
Virginia prohibits certain reptiles such as alligators as pets, but pythons are allowed unless the locality has a stricter rule. The HSUS calls on Virginia Beach and the state to prohibit future acquisitions and sales of large constrictor snakes and other dangerous wild animals.
At the federal level, The HSUS also supports the Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act (H.R. 6311) introduced by Rep. Bordallo (D-Guam), which would require species to be evaluated for various risks before they could be imported.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service accepted public comments on a notice of inquiry regarding declaring pythons, anacondas and boa constrictors as injurious, the first step in a separate process that could prohibit importation and interstate transportation of these snakes for the pet trade.
Facts:
Eleven known cases of people killed by pet pythons in the United States since 1980
- 2008 (Virginia): A woman was killed by a 13-foot pet reticulated python
- 2006 (Ohio): A man died at the hospital after being strangled by his pet python.
- 2006 (Indiana): A 23-year-old man was killed by his 14-foot pet reticulated python.
- 2002 (Colorado): A man died after his pet Burmese python, who was wrapped loosely around his neck, suddenly constricted.
- 2001 (Pennsylvania): An 8-year-old girl was home alone when she was apparently strangled by her father's pet Burmese python.
- 1999 (Illinois): A couple's 7.5-foot African rock python escaped from an enclosure and killed their 3-year-old son.
- 1996 (New York): A 19-year-old was killed by his 13-foot pet python.
- 1993 (Colorado): A 15-year-old was killed by his brother's 11-foot pet python.
- 1983 (Missouri): A man was crushed to death by his 16-foot pet Burmese python.
- 1982 (Nevada): An 8-foot python escaped from his cage and killed a 21-month-old boy in his crib. The snake belonged to an unrelated man who lived in the house.
- 1980 (Texas): A 7-month-old girl was killed by her father's 8-foot pet reticulated python. The snake had forced his way out of a covered aquarium.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.
