HearingonH.R.2811,aBilltoAmendTitle18,UnitedStatesCode,toIncludeConstrictorSnakesoftheSpeciesPythonGeneraasanInjuriousAnimal

U.S.HouseofRepresentatives

SubcommitteeonCrime,Terrorism,andHomelandSecurity

TestimonyofNancyPerryVicePresident,GovernmentAffairs

TheHumaneSocietyoftheUnitedStates

November6,2009IamNancyPerry,vicepresident,GovernmentAffairsofTheHumaneSocietyoftheUnitedStates(HSUS).Thankyou,ChairmanScottandmembersoftheSubcommittee,fortheopportunitytotestifyinsupportofH.R.2811,introducedbyRep.Meek,whichwouldaddcertainnonnativeconstrictorsnakestothelistofinjuriousspeciesthatcannotbeimportedormovedininterstatecommerceforthepettrade.OnbehalfofTheHSUS,thenation’slargestanimalprotectionorganization,andourmorethan11millionsupporters,andtheHumaneSocietyLegislativeFund,wesupportH.R.2811andurgethatitbeamendedtoincludeallninelargeconstrictorsnakespeciesidentifiedasposingrisktoourenvironmentbytheU.S.GeologicalSurvey(USGS)inacomprehensivereportreleasedlastmonth.Ifonlysomeofthesespeciesareincluded,justaportionoftheproblemwillbeaddressed.Thetradewouldsimplyshifttootherspecies,andriskstopublicsafety,animalwelfare,andtheenvironmentwouldremain.DangerousWildAnimalsinthePetTradeTheHSUShaslongadvocatedforlegislationtorestrictthetradeindangerouswildanimalsaspets.Wildanimalskeptaspetscaninjureandkill,andcanspreaddisease,andtheaveragepetownercannotprovidethesophisticatedcareneededtomaintaintheseanimalsinahealthyconditionincaptivity.Peopleoftenpurchasewildanimalswhiletheyareyoungandmanageable,andwhentheanimalsgrowtoodangeroustohandletheynolongerwantthem,butthereareveryfewoptionsforplacement.Iftheanimalsescapeorareturnedloose,theycanputpeopleandpetsatrisk,canimposecostsoncash‐strappedcommunities,andcanthreatenwildlifeandwreakhavocontheenvironment.

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CongresspassedtheCaptiveWildlifeSafetyActunanimouslyin2003toprohibitimportationandinterstatecommerceinlions,tigersandotherbigcatsforthepettrade.TheHouseearlierthisyearpassedbyanoverwhelmingmargintheCaptivePrimateSafetyAct(H.R.80),whichwouldprovidethesameprotectionsformonkeys,chimpanzees,andotherprimates.ThatbillwasapprovedbytheSenateCommitteeonEnvironmentandPublicWorksinMay,andisawaitingactioninthefullSenate.Inbothcases,Congresssoughttoproactivelyaddressentirecategoriesofdangerouswildanimals(bigcatsandprimates)ratherthanintroducelegislationeachtimethereisaproblemwithoneortwospecies.Similarly,wesupportH.R.2811,whichwillprohibitimportationandinterstatecommerceofcertainconstrictorsnakesfortheexoticpettradebyaddingthemtothelistofinjuriousspeciesundertheLaceyAct,butwebelievethepublicpolicymustbecraftedtoaddresstheentirecategoryoflargeconstrictorsnakes.Asitwasintroduced,H.R.2811wouldhaveaddressedthetradeofallspeciesinthepythongenus.TheHouseJudiciaryCommitteeamendedthebilltoapplyonlytoBurmesepythonsandAfricanrockpythons.Webelievesuchapolicywouldbeincomplete.Otherlargeconstrictorsnakesalsoposedangers,suchasgreenanacondas,whicharetheworld’sheaviestsnakes,andreticulatedpythons,whicharetheworld’slongestsnakes.Ifonlysomespeciesarerestricted,thetradewillshifttoothers,andtheriskswillremain.AstheUSGSreportnoted,“Shouldthespeciesthatcurrentlydominatethetradebecomelessreadilyavailable,onewouldexpectacompensatoryincreaseinsalesandinterestintherelatedtaxa,ashasbeenseeninresponsetoexportbansofparticularspeciesfromseveralcountriesinrecentdecades.”PassageofH.R.2811wouldnotresultinconfiscationofpeople’spets.Thebillappliestointerstatemovementoftheseanimals.Itdoesnotaffectpossessionoftheanimalswithinastate.Peoplewouldkeeptheirexistingpetconstrictorsnakes.Inaddition,H.R.2811targetsthetradeinthesedangerousanimalsasexoticpets,whileallowingtheanimalstocontinuetobeimportedandmovedacrossstatelinesforzoological,educational,medical,orscientificpurposeswithafederalpermit.Thisisareasonableandmoderatesolutionthatbalancesprivateownershipofsnakeswiththeveryrealandseriouspublicsafetyandecologicalthreatsposedbythesecreatures.DangertoPeopleandPetsThedangerofkeepinglargeconstrictorsnakesaspetswasdemonstratedtragicallyinJuly2009whena2‐year‐oldFloridagirlwaskilledbyan8‐footBurmesepythonkeptasapetinherhome.Atleastfourpeoplehavebeenkilledbypetpythonssince2006;sevenpeoplehavebeenkilledsince1999.

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Thesegrimstatisticsincludeadultswithexperiencehandlingreptiles.AVirginiaBeachwomanwaskilledbyher13‐footreticulatedpythoninOctober2008.Shewasfounddeadofasphyxiation,withanotetoherselfonawhiteboard,“MedicateDiablo.”Newsreportssayshemayhavebeenattemptingtosquirtmedicationintothesnake’smouth.Itreportedlytooktwomentodragthesnakebacktohisenclosure.In2006,anIndianamantoldfamilymembershewasgoingtotreathis14‐footpetreticulatedpythonforamedicalcondition.Hewasfounddeadinashedbyasphyxiation,withthepythonnearby.AnOhiomanwasstrangledbyhispetBurmesepythonin2006.Hewastakentoahospital,butitwastoolatetosavehim.Inadditiontodeaths,manypeoplehavebeeninjured.Accordingtonewsreports,inJanuary2009,a3‐year‐oldNevadaboywasconstrictedtothepointofunconsciousnessbyan18‐footreticulatedpythontemporarilybeingkeptinthefamily’shome.Astheboybeganturningblue,hismotherstabbedthesnakewithakitchenknifetofreethechild,whosurvived.Firstresponderswhofaceseriousrisksonadailybasisshouldnothavetoconfrontthesedeadlysnakes.Accordingtonewsreports,firefightersrespondingtoawarehousefireinFloridain2007foundmorethan100snakesinthebuilding,including8‐footboaconstrictorsandpythonsbetween12‐and17‐feetlong.AfirefighterfoundalargeBurmesepythoninthebasementofaNewYorkhomeafterafirewasdousedin2007.ACaliforniafirefighterfounda6‐footanacondaaliveamongthedebrisafterafireguttedamusicstudioin2006.Constrictorsnakesontheloosealsohaveattackedandkilledfamilypets,suchasaSiamesecatwhowaseatenbyaBurmesepythonroamingaFloridaneighborhoodin2005andasmalldogwhodiedofinjuriesafterbeingattackedbyanescapedpetpythonin2006.TheAppendixtothistestimonyprovidesdetailsofattacks,escapes,andotherincidentsinvolvingconstrictorsnakescompiledfromnewsreports.Manymoreincidentslikelyhaveoccurredbutgoneunreported.RisktoPublicHealthLikeotherreptiles,constrictorsnakescarrythebacteriaSalmonella.TheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)reportsthatreptilesandamphibiansaccountforapproximately74,000casesofreptile‐associatedsalmonellosiseachyear‐‐6percentofU.S.Salmonellacasesand11percentofcasesinpeopleunder21.TheCDCrecommendskeepingreptilesoutofhomeswithchildrenunderfiveandpeoplewithweakenedimmunesystems,whoaremostsusceptible.DirectcontactwithareptileisnotnecessarytocontractSalmonellabecausethebacteriacanliveonsurfaces.InDecember2001,a3‐month‐oldCaliforniainfantwastakentoanemergencydepartmentafteradayofbloodydiarrheaandfever.The

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child’sfather,ahighschoolbiologyteacher,oftendrapedalargesnake(i.e.,aboa)overhisshouldersintheclassroom.Hewascarefultowashhishands‐‐butnottochangeclothing‐‐beforegoinghomeandholdinghischild.Thesnakewasfoundtobethesourceofthechild’sSalmonellainfection.1InApril2001,awomandiedinOklahomarelatedtoaSalmonellainfectionafterobtainingatransfusionofbloodplatelets.Theplateletdonor’s9‐footpetboaconstrictorwasidentifiedasthelikelysourceoftheSalmonella.AsecondpatientwhoreceivedplateletsfromthemanalsocontractedSalmonellabutwashealthierinitiallyandlived.2EnvironmentalThreatOnOctober13,2009,theUSGSreleasedacomprehensive300‐pagereport,“GiantConstrictors:BiologicalandManagementProfilesandanEstablishmentRiskAssessmentforNineLargeSpeciesofPythons,Anacondas,andtheBoaConstrictor.”Thispeer‐reviewedresearchquantifiedtheecologicalriskthatninespeciesoflargeconstrictorsnakesposetotheUnitedStates,lookingatboththeprobabilitythatthesnakeswouldbecomeestablishedandtheresultingconsequences.ThespeciesstudiedaretheIndianorBurmesepython(Pythonmolurus),NorthernAfricanpython(Pythonsebae),SouthernAfricanpython(Pythonnatalensis),reticulatedpython(Python[orBroghammerus]reticulatus),boaconstrictor(Boaconstrictor),greenanaconda(Eunectesmurinus),yellowanaconda(Eunectesnotaeus),BeniorBoliviananaconda(Eunectesbeniensis),andDeSchauensee’sanaconda(Eunectesdeschauenseei).TheUSGSconcludedthatoverallriskwashighforfiveofthegiantconstrictorsnakespeciesandmediumfortheotherfourspecies.Becauseallninespeciessharealargenumberoftraitsthatpromoteinvasivenessorimpedepopulationcontrol,noneofthespecieswasfoundtobelowrisk.Forexample,thespeciesallhaveremarkablereproductivecapacitiesandtheabilitytomovelargedistancesquickly.Thesetraits make limiting their spread very difficult. The snakes also blend well into their surroundings, hindering efforts to find and remove them. Moreover, according to the USGS report, no current control tools seem adequate to eradicate an established population of giant snakes that has spread over a large area.

1“Reptile‐AssociatedSalmonellosis‐‐‐SelectedStates,1998—2002,”MorbidityandMortalityWeeklyReport,CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention,December12,2003http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5249a3.htm2MehrdadJafari,M.D.,Ph.D.,etal.,“SalmonellaSepsisCausedbyaPlateletTransfusionfromaDonorwithaPetSnake,”TheNewEnglandJournalofMedicine,October3,2002http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/347/14/1075

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Removal efforts should occur when a population is limited to a local area less than a few acres, but USGS says the snakes are rarely detected until they have spread more widely. TwoofthespeciesstudiedareconfirmedtobealreadyestablishedandbreedingintheUnitedStates‐‐Burmesepythonsandboaconstrictors.Fromarelativelysmallnumberofanimalsreleasedorescapedfromthepettrade,BurmesepythonsarenowdistributedacrossthousandsofsquaremilesofsouthFlorida,probablynumberinginthetensofthousands.Thewell‐knownphotographofaBurmesepythonwhotriedtoswallowanalligatorintheFloridaEvergladesillustratesthemagnitudeofthepotentialimpact.IfBurmesepythonscanchallengealligatorsfortoppredatorstatus,theycanupsetthebalanceoftheecosystem.Burmesepythonswilleatawidevarietyofreptiles,birds,andmammalsofallsizes,andcandepletevulnerablespecies.AccordingtotheUSGSreport,“AverylargenumberofimperiledspeciesareatriskfromgiantconstrictorsintheStateofFlorida.”ThereportlistsseveralspeciesofspecialconcernthathavebeeneatenbyBurmesepythonsinFloridaincludingtheendangeredKeyLargowoodrat,round‐tailmuskrat,limpkin,andwhiteibis. AccordingtotheUSGS,largeareasoftheUnitedStateshaveaclimatethatappearssuitableforsurvivalofBurmesepythons,includingmostofCalifornia,Texas,Oklahoma,Arkansas,Louisiana,Mississippi,Alabama,Florida,Georgia,andSouthandNorthCarolina.Withglobalwarming,thepotentialrangeforthesesnakesisexpectedtomovenorthward.Boa constrictors also are already established in Florida, but over a much smaller area. With proactive measures to stop the influx of these snakes and remove existing animals, it may be possible to halt their spread. According to the USGS, “extant technology would not appear to be capable of eradicating any of the giant constrictors from south Florida unless the colonization were caught very early, perhaps around the present range of the Boa Constrictor population now in Miami (several hundred hectares or less).” The USGS report sites evidence strongly suggesting that a third species, northern African pythons, has established a reproducing population along the western edge of Miami. Individualanimalsofotherspeciesalsohavebeenfoundinthewild,raisingconcernsthatthey,too,couldbecomeestablished.TheUSGSnotesthatagreenanacondawasfounddeadnearFlorida’s Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park in 2004, and two adults and a juvenile were observed in the area.Yellowanacondas,asmallerspeciesthatcanstillgrowto10‐feetlong,havebeenfoundinornearFlorida’sBigCypressNationalPreserve.Awildlifeofficialreportedseeingayellowanacondaapproximately6‐feetlonginArkansas’sWapanoccaNationalWildlifeRefugein2005. Anothercharacteristicthatcreatesriskistheabilityofthesnakestoserveashostsforparasitesanddisease.AstheUSGSreportnotes,snakestaken from the wild and

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imported often carry exotic parasites or pathogens that may transfer to other captive snakes during transport, sales, and pet ownership, or to native snakes or livestock if the animal escapes or is released. For example, snake ticks originating in Africa may carry heartwater, which is potentially devastating to cows, deer and other ruminants, and ticks from Asia can carry capillariasis, a disease of human health significance. Wild-caught anacondas imported to Europe are reported to be riddled with parasites, as noted by USGS. Environmentalriskassessment,byitsnature,isnotanexactscience.TheUSGSreportsaysthecertaintyisgreatestforBurmesepythonsandboaconstrictorsbecausetheyareunequivocallyreproducingintheUnitedStates.Becauseofthepotentialdangerlargeconstrictorsnakesposetopeopleandourecosystemsandtheextremecostanddifficultyofremovingtheseanimalsoncetheygetestablished,itisimportanttoerronthesideofcaution.TheUSGSreportleavesnodoubtthatactionisneedednowtopreventthespreadofBurmesepythonsandboaconstrictorstonewareasandtopreventtheintroductionofotherspecies.RisktoAnimalWelfareThoughoftenmarketedaslowmaintenancepets,reptileshavecomplexneedsthataredifficultfortheaveragepetownertomeetincaptivity.Theirrequirementsforlightandtemperaturefrequentlyarenotmet,andheatingelementsthatcanharmthemareoftenused.Constrictorsnakescangrowverylargeveryquickly,resultinginenclosuresthatareinadequatefortheirsizeandtopreventtheirescape.Constrictorsnakesmaysufferfromstarvation,dehydration,andothersymptomsofneglectwhenownerscannotprovidepropercare.Underfedsnakesmayposeparticularriskstopeople.Byoneaccount,thesnakewhokilledtheFloridatoddlerwasabouthalftheappropriateweight.TheUSGSreportnotesthatthesnakewhokilledtheOhiomanin2006alsowasunderweight.Constrictorsnakeshavebeenfoundkeptindeplorableconditionsbybothdealerswhomovelargenumbersoftheanimalsandbyindividualskeepingthemaspets.Forinstance,aFloridawomanwasarrestedforanimalcrueltyin2008afterauthoritiesreportedlyfoundanimalsinsubstandardconditionsincludingaBurmesepythonkeptinasmalldogcratefulloffecesandsheddedsnakeskins.OfficialsinvestigatingareportofanalligatorinaConnecticutapartmentin2006alsofound36snakesincludingboaconstrictors,pythons,andananaconda.Thetenanthadbeenevictedthepreviousday.Theanimalswereleftinextremelydirtyandunhealthyconditions,withnofoodorwater.AMarylandmanwaschargedwithanimalcrueltyfollowinganinvestigationofconditionsatareptilewholesalebusinessinawarehousein2003.Boaconstrictorswereamongtheanimalsbeinghousedinthefacility;199animalswerefounddead.

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APennsylvaniamanwaschargedwithcrueltyafteradmittingheturnedloosehis10‐footBurmesepythonand9‐footreticulatedpythoninJuly2009.Whenthesnakeswerefound‐‐onealongaroadandtheotheralongacreekbehindahomeinthesamearea‐‐theywereseverelymalnourished.Thepersonwhotookthesnakesreportedlysaiditprobablytookyearsforthemtodeterioratetothatcondition.Oncespeciesareestablished,methodsusedtoremoveanimalsmaybeinhumane.Preventingtheanimalsfrombecomingestablishedinthefirstplaceisonlyfailsafehumaneapproach.ComprehensiveLegislationIsNeededH.R.2811isanimportantsteptoaddressthetradeindangerouslargeconstrictorsnakesaspets.ButifonlyBurmesepythonsandAfricanrockpythonsareincluded,thetradewillshifttootherspecies.AlloneneedstodoisaGooglesearchfor“anacondasforsale,”“boaconstrictorsforsale,”or“reticulatedpythonsforsale,”andtheirreadyavailabilityforsaleacrossstatelinestountrainedindividualsisapparent.Anounceofpreventionisworthapoundofcure.HadBurmesepythonsbeenlistedasinjurious20yearsago,thecolonizationoftheEvergladesNationalParkcouldhavebeenavoided,alongwithtremendousecologicalandfinancialcosts.IfCongressdoesnottakecomprehensiveactionnow,itwillhavefailedjustaspolicymakersfailedtopreventtheinvasionofBurmesepythons20yearsago.TheHumaneSocietyoftheUnitedStatesurgespassageofH.R.2811withanamendmenttoincludetheninespeciesidentifiedbytheUSGSasposingrisktoourenvironment.Weappreciateandcelebratesnakes,butnonnativelargeconstrictorsnakesbelongintheirnaturalhabitatsandrangecountriesaroundtheglobe,notinAmerica’swildernessandprivatehomes,harmingournaturalresourcesandputtingpeopleatrisk.WeapplaudtheSubcommittee’sinterestinaddressingthetradeinthesedangerousconstrictorsnakesaspetsandlookforwardtoworkingwithyoutopasscomprehensivelegislationtoprotectpublicsafety,animalwelfare,andtheenvironment.

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Appendix

IncidentsDemonstrateRiskstoPublicHealthandSafety,AnimalWelfare,andtheEnvironment

October2009(California):A7‐footboaconstrictorontheloosewentunderacarandwasfoundwrappedaroundthecar’senginecompartment.ThesnakewasreportedlyoneofthreesnakessomeoneleftinaboxonacornerinCompton.Anotheronewastakenbyaneighbor,andthethirdonewasdead.Source:Fox43October2009(Massachusetts):A5‐footboaconstrictorwascaughtinamakeshifttrapintheatticofasix‐familydwellinginFallRiver.Itwasunclearwherethesnakecamefrom.Thesnakewasthoughttobesickwithanupperrespiratoryinfectionandabout10poundsunderweight.Source:TheBostonGlobeOctober2009(NorthCarolina):Twobrothersfoundaninjured7‐footboaconstrictorinadriveway.Source:StarNewsOnlineOctober2009(Florida):Amotheranddaughterfoundan8or9‐footBurmesepythonintheirresidentialneighborhoodinVeroBeach,thesecondnonnativesnakecaughtinVeroBeachthisyear.Source:12NewsOctober2009(Florida):Authoritiesfoundan11‐footBurmesepythoncrawlinguncagedinaCrestviewman’shome.Source:FloridaFishandWildlifeConservationCommissionOctober2009(Florida):ChargeswerefiledagainstaWewahitchkamanafterhis11‐footBurmesepythonescapedandwaskilledinaneighbor'schickencoop.Themanhadnocageforthesnake,whocrawledfreelyabouthisWewahitchkaapartment.Source:FloridaFishandWildlifeConservationCommissionSeptember2009(Florida):A10‐footboaconstrictorwasonthelooseinHillsboroughCounty.Wildlifeofficialssaytheyarenotgoingafterthesnakebecausesomanypeoplehavedumpedpetsnakes,andtheydon’thavetheresourcestogoafterthemall.Source:FoxTampaBaySeptember2009(Florida):Authoritieswerealertedtoan18‐footBurmesepythonatanApopkahome.Thesnakereportedlyweighed400poundsandwas30inchesaround.Source:WBIR.comSeptember2009(Florida):AuthoritiesremovedtwolargeBurmesepythonsfromaLakelandhome,an11‐footmaleanda17‐footfemalewhoweighedmorethan150pounds.Source:FloridaFishandWildlifeConservationCommission

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September2009(Florida):A7‐footreticulatedpythonwasfoundnearastatepark.Source:SarasotaHerald­TribuneSeptember2009(Florida):An8‐footpythonwasfoundalongaroadsideinPlacerCounty.Source:KTVU.comSeptember2009(NewYork):A10‐footBurmesepythonwasonthelooseinElmiraHeights.Thiswasthesecondtimeoneoftheowner’spythonsescapedintotheneighborhood.Source:WETMtv.comSeptember2009(Arkansas):An11‐footBurmesepythonescapedfromanenclosureinagarage,wasfoundinaneighbor’syard,andwasrecaptured.Source:TheMorningNewsSeptember2009(Florida):Adead10‐footpythonwasfoundinthewaterattheLargoNaturePreserve.Source:LargoLeaderAugust2009(California):Aboaconstrictorbetween6and8feetlongwasfoundonaroadinEscondido.Source:NorthCountyTimesAugust2009(NewYork):A4‐footboaconstrictorwasfoundinainaManhattanlaundromat.Source:NY1August2009(Florida):A5‐footboaconstrictorwasfoundonaDaytonaBeachroad.Source:NewsJournalOnlineAugust2009(California):An11‐footBurmesepythonescapedfromaRiversideCountyhomeandwasfoundinaneighbor’syard.Source:ThePressEnterpriseAugust2009(Missouri):A9‐footBurmesepythonwasspottedataparkandcapturedafewdayslater.Source:St.JoeNewsAugust2009(Oregon):A10‐footpythonwasfoundonaroad.Source:KVALNewsAugust2009(Utah):An8‐footBurmesepythonwasfoundoutsideawoman’shome.Source:DeseretNews(AssociatedPress)July2009(Florida):A2‐year‐oldgirlwaskilledbyan8‐footBurmesepythonwhoescapedfromanenclosureinherhome.Source:FloridaFishandWildlifeConservationCommissionJuly2009(Florida):A17‐footBurmesepythonwasfoundonthegroundsofaveterinaryhospital.Thesnakewasspottedbythe11‐year‐oldnephewofthehospitalowner.Source:MiamiHerald

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July2009(Indiana):A5‐foot‐longred‐tailboaconstrictorescapedandwasmissing.Source:TheRepublicJuly2009(Illinois):An8‐footboaconstrictorwascaughtafterescapingandbeingonthelooseforafewweeks.Thesnakewasafewhousesaway.Source:ConnectTristatesJuly2009(Florida):AlargeboaconstrictorwasfoundhidinginthegutterofavacantPascohome.Source:FOXTampaBayJuly2009(Florida):TwoBurmesepythons,one8feet,one9.5feet,werecapturedafterescapingfromahome.Source:TheLedgerJuly2009(Florida):A12‐footplusBurmesepythonwasfoundloosearoundaneighborhoodoftownhomes.Source:OrlandoSentinelJuly2009(Pennsylvania):A10‐footalbinoBurmesepythonand9‐footreticulatedpythonwerefound.Bothsnakesweremalnourished.Theownerreportedlyadmittedtoreleasingthesnakesbecausehecouldnolongeraffordtocareforthem.Source:LebanonDailyNewsJuly2009(Maryland):A3‐footBurmesepythonescapedfromahome.Source:TheGazetteJuly2009(Arizona):AYumafamilyfounda6‐footlongpythonontheirfrontporch.Source:TheArizonaRepublicMay2009(Florida):APuntaGordapoliceofficerremovedaninjured4.5‐footpythonfromanintersection.Thesnakesufferedfromabrokenjawanddiedsoonafterward.Source:NBC2NewsMay2009(Florida):Aninvestigationintotheescapeofa10‐footBurmesepythoninPinellasParkdeterminedthesnakehadescapedalmosttwomonthsearlier.Source:FloridaFishandWildlifeConservationCommissionDivisionofLawEnforcementFieldOperationsWeeklyReportMay2009(Maine):A2‐footboaconstrictorescapedfromacageinahighschool.Hehidinanoldcomputerprinter,andwasnotdiscovereduntiltheschoolgavetheprintertoastudenttotakehomeanddismantle.Source:WHNT19News(AP)February2009(Wisconsin):TwoBurmesepythonswereturnedovertoashelteraftertheownerswerearrestedondrug‐relatedcharges.Source:BeloitDailyNewsJanuary2009(Nevada):A3‐year‐oldboywasbittenandsqueezedtothepointofunconsciousnessbyan18‐footpython.Hismotherstabbedthesnakewithakitchen

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knifeandfreedthechild.Thesnakehadbeeninthehomeforfourtosixweeks.Source:kvbc.comandLasVegasReview­JournalJanuary2009(NewYork):A7‐footreticulatedpythonescapedfromanenclosure,andauthoritieswerecalledtocaptureandremovethesnake.Source:NewYorkDailyNewsJanuary2009(NewYork):ABurmesepythonwasfoundinafieldinBrooklyn.Thecoldweatherhadtakenatollontheanimalwhohadlostaneyeanddevelopedaninfection,causingsometeethtofallout.Source:YorkDailyRecordDecember2008(Ohio):Amancalledanimalcontrolwhenhis6‐footboaconstrictorbecameaggressiveduringanighttimefeeding.Authoritieshelpedfindthesnakeanewhome.Source:WLWTNovember2008(Florida):InvestigatorscapturedthreeBurmesepythons,rangingfrom9to11feet,withina50‐yardspanofanareaknownasthe8.5SquareMileinMiami‐DadeCounty.Source:FloridaFishandWildlifeConservationCommission,DivisionofLawEnforcementFieldOperationsWeeklyReport.November2008(Florida):Awomannearlytrippedovera10‐footboaconstrictorinPuntaGorda.Source:nbc‐2.comOctober2008(Virginia):Awomanwasfounddeadbyasphyxiation,andher13‐footpetreticulatedpython,whoshewasapparentlymedicating,wasfoundoutsidehisenclosure.Source:TheVirginian­PilotOctober2008(Colorado):Awomanwasattackedbyher6‐footalbinoBurmesepython.Theanimalwassprayedwithafireextinguishertogethimtoletgoofherfingerandthenaccordingtothewomanittookfiveparamedicstoholdthesnakedown.Source:KRDO.comOctober2008(Florida):A12‐foot100‐poundBurmesepythonwasfoundcrossingaroadinJupiterFarms.Thesnakeappearedtobeinjuredandmayhavebeenhitbyacar.Source:SouthFloridaSun‐Sentinel.comSeptember2008(Oklahoma):Awomanfounda4‐footboaconstrictorinhermotorhome.Source:TheMcAlesterNews­CapitalSeptember2008(Florida):AMyakkaCityhomeownerfounda10‐footalbinoBurmesepythoninherdriveway.Source:SarasotaHerald­TribuneAugust2008(Nevada):A13‐year‐oldgirlwasvisitingherfatherandwasattackedbyapetBurmesepython;herfatherkilledtheapproximately15‐footsnaketorescueher.Thesnakereportedlyescapedfromalargetankwithlocks.Thesame

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day,astudentzookeeperinVenezuelawascrushedtodeathbyaBurmesepython.Source:KVBCAugust2008(Michigan):Astatetroopershotandkilledanearly7‐footlongsnake,believedtobeaBurmesepython,seenonaPortSheldonTownshiproad.Source:TheGrandRapidsPressJuly2008(Maine):Amandiscoveredan8‐to9‐footreticulatedpythonundertheenginecompartmentofhispickuptruckinWilton.ItwasthesecondsuchincidentinMaineinlessthanaweek.AGorhamwomanfoundareticulatedpythoninawashingmachineonWednesday.Thesnakehadinjuriesonitsupperjawfrombeingdragged.Source:SunJournalJune2008(Florida):Awomanfounda7‐footBurmesepythoninherKeyLargoyard.Sheandafriendkilledthesnake.Source:TheReporterJune2008(Illinois):Awomanfounda4‐footalbinoBurmesepythoninaStarbucksparkinglotinRockford.Source:rrstar.comJune2008(NewYork):A14‐foot80‐poundBurmesepythonwasfoundaftermorethantwodaysonthelooseintheJordan‐Elbridgearea.Hehadbeenatareptilerescuecenterandtheownerbelievedsomeonecutthebungeecordsonhiscage,lettinghimgetout.Source:news10now.comMay2008(NorthCarolina):A4‐footpythonwasfoundlooseinarestaurant.Source:WECTTV6May2008(Florida):FirefightersbattlingfiresintheEvergladesencounteredpythons,boaconstrictors,andotherexoticanimals.Source:NationalGeographicNewsApril2008(Oregon):Apetstoreownerreachedintoacagetoshowacustomera12‐footBurmesepythonwhenthesnakebitherhandandcoiledaroundherarm,throwinghertothefloor.Ittookseveralemergencyresponderstounwrapthesnake.Source:MSNBC(AssociatedPress)April2008(Florida):DeputySecretaryoftheU.S.DepartmentoftheInteriorLynnScarlettfoundan8‐to9‐footBurmesepythonwhilehikingintheEverglades.Source:People,Land&Water,U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior April2008(Connecticut):A6‐footpythonescapedfromahomeandwasfoundtwodayslatercurledupintheyard.Source:TheNews­TimesApril2008(Florida):ABurmesepythonabout8‐feetlongwasfoundintheraftersofaMarcoIslandExecutiveAirporthangar.Source:NaplesDailyNews

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April2008(Illinois):Ared‐tailboawasamongtheanimalswhoescapedwhenacarcrashedintoahomeandbrokeopentheirtanks.Mostoftheanimalswererecaptured.Source:BellevilleNews­DemocratMarch2008(Kentucky):Authoritiesseizedaboaconstrictorandpython,alongwithvenomoussnakesandotherreptiles,fromaman’shome.Atthetimeoftheseizure,theowneroftheanimalswasinthehospitalhavingtwofingersamputatedbecauseofasnakebite.Source:LEX18NewsMarch2008(California):Awomanpleadedguiltytoanimalcruelty.Anearly15‐footBurmesepythonwasoneofmorethan200animalsfoundinherhome,manyofthemmalnourishedandinneedofveterinarycare.Source:TheSacramentoBeeFebruary2008(Florida):A4‐footpythonwasfoundbeneathawaterheaterinanewlyrentedhome.Source:SarasotaHerald­TribuneFebruary2008(Florida):A13‐footpythonwasseeninaWal‐Martparkinglot.Arescueworkerfoundtheanimalinaculvertmorethantwoweekslater.Source:SarasotaHerald­TribuneFebruary2008(Florida):AwomanwasarrestedforanimalcrueltyafterauthoritiesfoundaBurmesepythonandotheranimalslivingindeplorableconditionsinherhome.Thesnakewaskeptinasmalldogcratethatwasfulloffecesandsheddedsnakeskins.Source:St.PetersburgTimesJanuary2008(Montana):Amanwasdrivingwitha5‐footlongBurmesepythonwhentheanimalcrawledoutofapillowcaseandintothevan’sductsystem.Automechanicsretrievedthesnake.Source:GreatFallsTribuneDecember2007(Ohio):A7‐footAfricanrockpythonwasfoundintheMetzgerMarshStateWildlifeArea.Theanimalwasalivethoughitwas37degreesandsleeting.Source:TheToledoBladeDecember2007(Florida):Amanmowingthelawnforthecountyranoverandkilleda16‐footpython.Ananimalcontrolofficersaidthesnakewasamongthelargestofthe20largepythonsorboashehasfoundinthepastdecadeinIndianRiverCounty,comparableinsizetoonefoundtwoyearsbefore.Source:tcpalm.comOctober2007(Florida):ASummerlandKeyresidentwascitedforallowingtheescapeofcaptivewildlifeandinadequatecagesizeforareptile.Theincidentbeganaftercitizenssawa14‐footpythoninthebushesalongapublicparkinglot.Theownersofthesnake–whousedtheanimalforphotoswithtourists–saidthesnakehadescapedtwodaysbefore.Source:FloridaFishandWildlifeConservationCommissionFieldOperationsWeeklyReport

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September2007(Florida):Hisbarkingdogalertedamantothepresenceofan11‐footColombianredtailboaconstrictorinapark.Source:local10.comSeptember2007(Florida):Ananimalcontrolofficerwasbittentwicebya5‐footboaconstrictor,onthebackofthehandandonthefinger.Thesnakewasbeingremovedfromunderneathawoman’scar,wherehehadwrappedhimselfaroundcoilspringsinthewheelwell.Source:abc3340.comSeptember2007(Florida):FirefightersrespondingtoaDelrayBeachwarehousefoundmorethan100snakesinthebuilding,including8‐footboaconstrictorsandpythonsbetween12‐and17‐feetlong.Severalsmallsnakeswerekilledinthefire.Theownersayshesellstheanimalstoretailers.Source:firstcoastnews.comSeptember2007(Florida):OfficialsremovedapythonfrombeneaththedeckofaprivateresidenceinCollierCounty.Source:FloridaFishandWildlifeConservationCommissionFieldOperationsWeeklyReportAugust2007(Ohio):Amanbroughta10‐footpythontoafestival.Thesnakewaskilledbyaboywhostompedontheanimal’shead.Source:13abc.comAugust2007(Florida):TwolargesnakeswerecapturedinLeeCounty:a10‐footBurmesePythonfoundbytwomaintenanceworkersatanapartmentcomplexandaboaconstrictorlongerthan6feetwhowasspottedinthemiddleofanintersection.Source:NaplesDailyNewsJuly2007(Florida):Areticulatedpythonapproximately15‐feetlongwasfoundinayardinaresidentialcommunity.Source:WFTV.comJuly2007(NewYork):TwoBurmesepythonswerefoundonthelooseinAlbany.An8‐footsnakehadescapedfromasecond‐floorpenandwasclaimedbytheowner.Noonehadclaimedthe4‐footsnake.Source:TheTimesUnionJuly2007(RhodeIsland):Amantooka6‐footboaconstrictortothepolice,claiminghefoundthesnakealongtheroad.Thepolicediscoveredthesnakebelongedtotheman,andhehadtriedtoselltheanimaltoapetstorethedaybefore.Thoughthestoredeclinedtobuytheboa,themanpurchasedasmallpythoneventhoughhecouldnolongercareforthelargersnake.Source:TheProvidenceJournal’sDailyNewsBlogJune2007(Pennsylvania):Officialscaughta91/2‐footBurmesepython,butasecondlargesnakeremainedontheloose.Thatsnakewasthoughttohavekilledacat,abird,andseveralkittens.Source:CourierTimes

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May2007(NewYork):AfirefighterfoundalargeBurmesepythoninthebasementofahomeafterafirewasdoused.Source:TheNewYorkTimesApril2007(Florida):A7.5footBurmesepythonwascapturedonKeyLargo.TheanimalwasfoundbyresearcherstrackingaKeyLargowoodrat‐‐anendangeredspecies‐‐fittedwitharadiotransmittercollar.Theremainsoftwowoodratsalongwiththeradiotransmitterwerefoundinsidethepython.Source:keynoter.comApril2007(Florida):A3‐year‐oldboywasbitteninthefacebya6‐footboaconstrictorwhenposingwiththesnakeforaphotographatathemepark,andwastakentoahospitalfortreatment.Source:CBS4March2007(Alaska/Alabama):AnAlaskawomantookinan8‐footBurmesepythonaround2002afteralandlordfoundtheanimalwithoutfoodinanemptyapartment,twoweeksafterthepreviousresidentwasevicted.Thesnakegrewto16feet,outgrowingthehome.ThesnakewasshippedtoanAlabamazoo,butduringtransportshespentmanyhoursincoldtemperaturesinasmallcrate.Thesnakediedfourweekslater.Source:AnchorageDailyNewsandKTUU.comDecember2006(Ohio):Amandiedatthehospitalafterbeingstrangledbyhispetpython.Source:UnitedPressInternationalDecember2006(Florida):A14‐foot,14‐year‐oldBurmesepythonbeingexhibitedatanaquariumwrappedaroundthehandler’sarmandwaistandbither.Apolicetaserwasneededtogetthesnaketoletgo.Thewomanwastreatedatthehospitalforwoundstoherhands.Previouslyamanwasbittenwhenfeedingthesnake.Source:St.PetersburgTimesSeptember2006(Indiana):A23‐year‐oldmanwithexperiencehandlingreptileswaskilledbyhis14‐footreticulatedpython.Amedicalexaminerdeterminedthatthedeathwasconsistentwithasphyxiationcausedbycompressionoftheneckandchest.Source:MSNBCandTheCorydonDemocratSeptember2006(Montana):AmantryingtoenterCanadawithfivesnakesturnedthemovertoU.S.authoritiesratherthanobtaintheproperpermitstoexportthem.Twored‐tailboaconstrictorswereamongtheanimalswhoweredehydratedandhadmites.Source:GreatFallsTribuneAugust2006(Michigan):Awomanreportedher6‐to7‐footboaconstrictormissing.Source:TheMacombDailyAugust2006(Florida):A9‐footBurmesepythonwasfoundneartheTallahasseeairport.Afterpoliceinitiallycapturedandputthesnakeinabag,theanimalescapedfromthebackseatofthepatrolcarandhadtoberecaptured.Source:KHOU‐TVAnimalAttractionBlog

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July2006(Michigan):Twoboaconstrictorswereonthelooseinamatterofdays.Source:WJRT‐TVJune2006(Connecticut):Officialsinvestigatingareportofanalligatorinanapartmentalsofound36snakesincludingboas,pythonsandananaconda.Thetenanthadbeenevictedthepreviousday.Thereweretwodeadlizardsandtheremainingreptileswereleftinextremelydirtyandunhealthyconditions,withnofoodorwater.Source:2006AnnualReport,StateofConnecticut,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,DivisionofStateEnvironmentalConservationPoliceJune2006(Utah):Acouplereturnedsurprisedtofindaformerroommate’spet7‐footred‐tailedboapossiblypreparingtoattacktheirpetcat.Source:KSLTVApril2006(California):Afirefighterfounda6‐footanacondaaliveamongthedebrisafterafireguttedamusicstudio.Theownerofthestudioandsnakewasarrestedonsuspicionofsettingthefire.Source:OrangeCountyRegisterMarch2006(Florida):Amandrivingwithhispetsnakewrappedaroundhisneckcrashedhiscarintoroadworkbarricadesafterthesnakebeganbitinghim.Accordingtoreports,whenpolicefirstencounteredtheman,hehadnumeroussmallcutsonhisbody,andfreshlydriedbloodonhisforeheadandrighthand.Source:NaplesDailyNewsMarch2006(Colorado):Anevictedrenterabandoneda7‐footconstrictorsnakeinanapartment.Source:GlenwoodSpringsPostIndependentFebruary2006(Florida):Amanwalkinghisdog–an8‐poundratterrier–letthedogoffhisleash.Aneighbor’spetpythonhadgottenfreeandgrabbedthedogbythehead,wrappingaroundhim.Themanusedagolfclubtogetthesnaketoreleasethedog,butthedogranawayandwasfounddeadthenextdaywithinjuriesconsistentwithconstriction.Source:orlandosentinel.com(AP)February2006(Idaho):Afterbeingmissingfortwoweeks,aBurmesepythonwasfoundinthebathroomceilingoftheapartmentbelowtheoneshefromwhichsheescaped,apparentlythroughaholeinthewall.Source:Foxnews.com(AP)December2005(Hawaii):A4‐footboaconstrictorwasfoundinthelaundryareaofahome.Thehomewasundergoingrenovationandthedoormayhavebeenleftopenduringconstruction.Source:HawaiiDepartmentofAgricultureNovember2005(Georgia):Awomanfounda7‐footBurmesepythoninapillowcaseinherbackyard.Source:TheAssociatedPress

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October2005(Florida):AwomanlookingforherpetSiamesecatinsteadfoundabulgingBurmesepythoninherbackyard.X‐raysshowedthatthesnakehadeatenthecat.Source:NBC6.netOctober2005(Florida):A10‐footAfricanrockpythonwasfoundaftercrawlingintoaturkeypenandeatingaturkey.Thebulgingsnakewastoolargetofitbackthroughthefence.Source:NBC6.netSeptember2005(Delaware):An8‐footboaandthree4‐to6‐footboaswereabandonedatanapartmentcomplexafteratenant’seviction.Thelocalanimalshelterwashelpingplacethosesnakes,plusafifthoneabout5‐feetlongwhowasseizedthesameweekfromamanwalkinginthestreetwiththesnakearoundhisneck.Source:TheNewsJournalSeptember2005(Florida):Capturedinanow‐famousphotograph,thebodyofaBurmesepythonwhotriedtoswallowanalligatorwasfoundintheEverglades.Exactlywhathappenedmayremainamystery,butwiththeBurmesepythonasanewtoppredatorintheEverglades,eachofthesnake’spotentialpreyspeciescouldbeatrisk.Source:St.PetersburgTimesAugust2005(Missouri):AUPSdriverfounda9‐footBurmesepythonamongpackagesinhistruck.Theteenagerwhoorderedthesnakeinsteadreceivedanemptybox.Thepythonwasshippedinaplasticcontainerthatwastapedshutandplacedinsidethebox.Thetapewasintactbutthecontainerwascrackedandthecardboardboxhadtearsinit.Source:FirstCoastNews(AP)July2005(California):A15‐footBurmesepythonwasdiscoveredinaSacramentowarehouse.Theanimalbelongedtoamanwhoworkeddownthestreet.Hehadunknowinglypokedaholeinthecagewithaforklift.Thiswasthesnake’sthirdescape.Source:TheSacramentoBeeJuly2005(Pennsylvania):Theownersofa9‐footBurmesepythonturnedthesnakeovertoauthorities.Theanimalwasreportedlyunderfedandlivinginacagethatwastoosmall.Source:TheIntelligencerJournalJune2005(Arkansas):WildlifeofficialssaytherehavebeentwosightingsofyellowanacondasintheWapanoccaNationalWildlifeRefuge,onebyapersonfishingin2004andarecentsightingbyawildlifeofficial.Source:KAIT8.comJune2005(Florida):Policerespondedtwiceinamonthtoreportsofsnakesroaminganeighborhood.A13‐footBurmesepythonwasrecaptured,thengotlooseandwasrecapturedagain.An8‐footpython(andfivemonitorlizards)remainedatlarge.Source:News4Jax.com

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February2005(Florida):AgiantpythonwasfoundsprawledacrossabusystreetinEnglewood.Source:VeniceGondolier­SunNovember2004(Connecticut):ANewHavencouplereportedtheir15‐footpythonwasmissing.Authoritiesrespondingdidnotfindthepython,butdidfindotheranimalsthecouplehadillegallyincludinganArgentineanboa.Source:WTNHSeptember2004(Michigan):A6‐footboaconstrictorescapedfromahome.Source:cm‐life.comSeptember2004(Mississippi):A17‐footBurmesepythonmissingforfourdayswasluredoutofhidingwitharabbit.Thesnakehadescapedfromthebathroomwhereshewasbeingkeptwhenthedoorwasleftopen,andtakenrefugeunderneathinsulationintheatticoftheapartmentbuilding.Source:TheSunHeraldAugust2004(Florida):AgreenanacondawascollectedfromBigCypressSwampinCollierCounty.Source:U.S.GeologicalSurveyNonindigenousAquaticSpeciesDatabaseAugust2004(Texas):Authoritiessearchedforweeksforalargesnakewhowasreportedmissing.A7‐footpythonbelievedtobeadifferentanimalwascaughtthepreviousweekatalandscapingcompany.ThecuratoroftheHoustonZoo'sherpetologydepartmentsaidhisdepartmentreceivesdozensofcallseachweekfrompeoplelookingtoturnoverasnaketothezoo‐‐15to20callsperweekjustonboas.Source:BrenhamBanner­PressandTheAssociatedPressJuly2004(Florida):A16‐foot‐longBurmesepythonwascapturedonacitystreet.AnanimalcontrolofficersaidhehadpickedupdozensoflooseBurmesepythonsandboaconstrictorsovertheyears,butthiswasthelargest.Source:cbsnews.comJune2004(Kansas):Ateenagerwasshowingoffthefamily’s15‐footpetpythonwhentheanimalcoiledaroundhisarmandbegantosqueeze,turningtheboy'sarmblue.Thesnakebittheteenandhismother,andtheycalled911.Emergencycrewsusedafireextinguishertogetthesnaketoloosenhisgrip.Source:News4Jax.comFebruary2004(Florida):A14‐footreticulatedpythonescaped.Source:Local6.comOctober2003(NewJersey):Pythons,boaconstrictors,andananacondawereamongthe180reptilesauthoritiestookintocustodywhentheircaretakerhadnotbeenseenforaweek.Themanwasinthehospitalbeingtreatedforavenomoussnakebite.Source:TheStar­LedgerSeptember2003(Virginia):ABurmesepythonabout12‐feetlongwasfoundafterbeingonthelooseformorethanthreeweeks.Thesnakehadpushedopenawindowtoescape.Source:TheVirginian­Pilot

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September2003(Florida):Ateenagertookhis9.5footBurmesepythonintothebackyardandtheanimaldisappeared.Hefoundthesnake20hourslaterintheneighborhood.Source:TheNews­PressSeptember2003(Florida):Acouplewalkingtheirdogsspottedaboaconstrictor.Theycalledrescueworkerswhopickeduptheanimal.Source:St.PetersburgTimesAugust2003(Illinois):Amanwasdoingplumbingworkathomewhenheheardthatasnakehadgottenlooseinthearea.Twodayslater,afterdrivingmanymiles,hefoundthe6‐footboaconstrictorunderthehoodofhisvan.Source:ChicagoDailyHeraldAugust2003(Washington):Amanfoundanescaped7‐footpythonpassingthroughhisyard.Theweekbefore,aparkrangerfoundasimilar‐sizepythoninalake.Thelocalanimalsheltergenerallytakesinabout10loosesnakesayear.Source:TheSeattle­PostIntelligencerAugust2003(Arizona):Authoritiestooka12‐footBurmesepythonfromayard.Themobilehomesonthepropertyseemedtobevacant,andtheanimalappearedtobeabandoned.Source:TheAssociatedPressAugust2003(Florida):A12‐footBurmesepythonescapedfromaFloridahomeandwasontheloose.Source:UnitedPressInternationalJuly2003(Connecticut):A3‐footboaconstrictorwasfoundoutsideacondominiumcomplex.Source:ConnecticutPostJuly2003(Florida):Amanreportedhis12‐footBurmesepythonwasmissingandhadnoteatenforaweek.Aneighborfoundthesnakethenextday.Thepythonhadabulgeinhisstomachbutitwasunclearwhathehadeaten.Source:TheBradentonHeraldJuly2003(RhodeIsland):A14‐footBurmesepythonescapedfromhistankandthroughawindowscreen.Source:TheAssociatedPressJune2003(Florida):A13‐footBurmesepythonescapedfromahome.Themotherofthesnake’sownerfoundthesnakeintheyardwrappedaroundher3‐year‐oldMountainFeistdog.Shewasabletofreethedog,butthesnakethenwrappedaroundherleg.Rescueworkersfreedherandreturnedthesnaketohiscage.Source:FloridaTodayJune2003(Maryland):Amanwaschargedwithanimalcrueltyfollowinganinvestigationofconditionsatareptilewholesalebusinessinawarehouse.Boa

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constrictorswereamongtheanimalsbeinghousedinthefacility;199animalswerefounddead.Source:WashingtonPostJune2003(Florida):Morethan100snakeswerestolenfromabreeder,including10boaconstrictors.Othersnakeswereleftcrawlinglooseinaroom,includingonewhowasfoundcrawlingoutabrokenscreen.Source:TampaTribuneJune2003(Illinois):Officersfoundan8‐footreticulatedpythononabiketrailinBlackwellForestPreserve;previouslya5‐footboawasfound.Source:IllinoisDepartmentofNaturalResourcesOfficeofLawEnforcementMay2003(California):Authoritiesremovedared‐tailedboaconstrictorfromahome,alongwith100to200mice,aboutthreedozenrats,andacat.Theyfounddebrispiledinthehouse,whichsmelledofanimalwaste.Source:SanJoseMercuryNewsOctober2002(California):A6‐footboaconstrictorwasspottedonafenceandonthelooseuntilbeingcapturedadaylater.Source:CityNewsServiceSeptember2002(NewJersey):A7‐footboaconstrictorwasfoundinaroadway.Source:TheStar­LedgerSeptember2002(Ohio):A10‐footBurmesepythonescapedandwasonthelooseaboutthreeweeks.Thesnakewasfoundinavacanthomebeingrenovated,withatelltalebulgeinitsmiddle.X‐raysshowedthesnakehadeatenasmallcanine,possiblyafoxorstraydog.Source:TheAssociatedPressSeptember2002(Tennessee):ABurmesepythonabout8‐to10‐feetlongescaped–forthesecondtime.Thefirsttimethesnakewasatlargeforaboutamonth.Source:KnoxvilleNews­SentinelJuly2002(Texas):AlandlordinsouthwestHoustonfoundreptilesincludingthreeBurmesepythonsinahouseheowns.Thereptileswereincagesandhadbeenabandonedforatleasttwomonths.Noneofthecageshadwaterandtheanimalsweredehydrated.Source:KSBW.comJuly2002(Maine):Asheriff'sdeputyinvestigatinganabandonedSUVwasstartledtodiscovera5‐foot‐longboaconstrictorinthebackseatandanothersnakecoiledinaterrarium.Source:PortlandPressHeraldJuly2002(Louisiana):A12‐footBurmesepythonescapedandwasrecapturedaweeklater.Source:Times­PicayuneJune2002(NorthCarolina):A12‐footpregnantBurmesepythonescapedandwasontheloosefortwodays.Source:News&Record(Greensboro)

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May2002(Florida):Sixsnakesranginginlengthfrom9to20feetescapedfromawoman’sapartment.Twowerefoundcurledupinafriend’sapartment,butauthoritieswerelookingforfourlargeBurmesepythons.Source:FloridaTodayApril2002(Florida):An18‐footBurmesepythonwhohadbeenlivingforatleastayearnearaserviceplazaonFlorida'sTurnpikewascaptured.Astatecrewmowingthegrassintheareahadreportedseeingtheanimalayearbefore,andtherehadbeenseveralsightingssince.Source:OrlandoSentinelFebruary2002(Colorado):AmanhadhispetBurmesepythonwrappedlooselyaroundhisneckwhenthesnakesuddenlyconstricted.Bythetimerescueworkerswrestledtheanimalofftheman,itwastoolateandhelaterdied.Source:RockyMountainNewsDecember2001(California):A3‐month‐oldinfantwastakentoanemergencydepartmentafteradayofbloodydiarrheaandfevercausedbySalmonella.Theinfant’sfatherwasahighschoolbiologyteacherwhooftendrapedalargesnake(i.e.,aboa)overhisshouldersintheclassroom.Hewouldwashhishands‐‐butnotchangehisclothing‐‐beforegoinghomeandholdinghischild.Thesnakewasfoundtobethesourceofthechild’sSalmonella.Source:U.S.CentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionApril2001(Oklahoma):AwomandiedfromsepticshockrelatedtoaSalmonellainfectionafterobtainingatransfusionofbloodplatelets.Theplateletdonor’s9‐footpetboaconstrictorwasidentifiedasthelikelysourceoftheSalmonella.ThetypeofSalmonellafoundinastoolsamplefromthesnakematchedthatfoundintheplatelets.Themanexhibitednosymptomsatthetimeofhisdonation,buthadbeenilltwoweeksbeforeandtakenantibiotics.AsecondpatientwhoreceivedplateletsfromthemanalsocontractedSalmonellabutwashealthiertobeginwithandlived.Source:TheNewEnglandJournalofMedicineAugust2001(Pennsylvania):An8‐year‐oldgirlwasstrangledbyherfather’spetBurmesepython.Thechildhadbeenlefthomealone,andthesnakebrokethroughthetopofthecage.Paramedicssaidshewasnotbreathingwhentheyarrived;shewastakentoahospitalandplacedonaventilatoruntilshewaspronouncedbraindeadtwodayslater.Anautopsyshowedthecauseofdeathwascompressionofherneckandchest.Source:TheAugustaChronicle(Scripps)andPittsburghPost­GazetteAugust1999(Illinois):Acouple’s7.5‐footAfricanrockpythonescapedfromanenclosureandkilledtheir3‐year‐oldson.Source:St.LouisPost­DispatchOctober1996(NewYork):A13‐footpython,keptasapetbytwoteen‐agebrotherswhohopedtohavecareerscaringforreptiles,killedoneofthebrothers,possibly

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mistakinghimforfood.The19‐year‐oldwasfoundbyaneighborwiththesnakecoiledaroundhismidriffandback.Source:TheNewYorkTimes1993(Colorado):A15‐year‐oldwaskilledbyhisbrother’s11‐footpetpython.Hehadsnakebitesonhisbody,andanautopsyfoundhewassuffocated.The8‐year‐oldsnakehadbeenafamilypetsinceshewasonlyafootlong.Source:TheAssociatedPress1984(Iowa):An11‐month‐oldboywaskilledbyhisfather's10‐footpetpythonwhoescapedfromanenclosure.Source:FortMadisonDailyDemocratandTheLossofInnocentsbyCaraElizabethRichards1983(Missouri):Amanwascrushedtodeathbyhis16‐footpetBurmesepython.Source:TheAssociatedPressAugust1982(Nevada):An8‐footpythonescapedfromhiscage,crawledintoanadjoiningbedroom,andkilleda21‐montholdboyinhiscrib.Thesnakebelongedtoanunrelatedmanwholivedinthehouse.Source:UnitedPressInternationalNovember1980(Texas):A7‐month‐oldgirlwaskilledbyherfather’s8‐footpetreticulatedpython.Thechilddiedofasphyxiationandherheadwascoveredwithdozensofneedle‐liketoothmarks.Thesnakehadforcedhiswayoutofacovered30‐gallonaquariumandcrawledintothebaby’scrib.Source:TheAssociatedPress