How horrible Escaped pet python strangles girl, two

This may be one of the most horrible things I have ever heard about.

I'm not blaming the parents, but who has these kinds of animals as "pets"????

A 2.4-METRE pet Burmese python has escaped from a glass enclosure and strangled a two-year-old girl in her bedroom.

US media reports say the snake's owner stabbed the creature as he tried to get it off Shaunnia Hare, but she was already dead when paramedics arrived.

A 911 emergency recording reveals how a sobbing resident of the Florida home sought help.

"The baby's dead! Our stupid snake got out in the middle of the night and strangled the baby."

Lt Bobby Caruthers of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office told The Associated Press the snake was owned by Charles Jason Darnell, 32, the boyfriend of Shaunnia's mother.

He reportedly discovered the snake was missing and then found it on the girl, who had bite marks to her head.

Mr Darnell has not been charged, but Lt Caruthers said investigators were looking into whether there was child neglect or if any other laws were broken.

The SunSentinel.com reported the python was a family pet that apparently broke free from a glass aquarium.

There was also a boa constrictor at the property, which is home to two other children.

Re: How horrible Escaped pet python strangles girl, two

OMG that is so horrible. What a horrible accident!

Re: How horrible Escaped pet python strangles girl, two

How horrible! I cannot imagine this little baby going through this.

Re: How horrible Escaped pet python strangles girl, two

Saw this on the news. Allegedly, the owner did not have a permit for the snack- which is required- and it was not under lock- also a requirement. I think that is very neglectful on the parents front. I feel terrible for everyone though... the suffering all the way around.

Re: How horrible Escaped pet python strangles girl, two

omg, how terrible, that poor baby

I hope she did not suffer

Re: How horrible Escaped pet python strangles girl, two

That is so horrible

Re: How horrible Escaped pet python strangles girl, two

DH and I used to have a ball python and a red tailed columbian boa. We loved them like we love all of our pets. However, as they got older we realized that they were not only getting too big for us and for when we have kids -- but, they were really too big to be pets at that point. It wasn't fair to them. They enjoyed nice lives when they were reasonably sized -- and we loved having them. Once they became too large we found a wonderful reptile sanctuary for them to go to -- they have HUGE habitats that they live in with other snakes. That is where animals like that belong.

The other thing that strikes me about this - They must not have been feeding him often enough. When a snake is properly fed he will have NO desire or urge to strangle and/or try to consume prey. If you keep the snake well fed they will NEVER go after humans. This snake must have been starving. They also never look to escape from their habitats unless they are desperate for food and feel, survival-wise, they have to go and try to find it.

How horrible that this couple kept a snake of that size, did not feed it properly (clearly), and let their child become a victim to poor pet ownership.

This is just awful - That poor baby.

Message edited 7/3/2009 12:18:34 AM.

Re: How horrible Escaped pet python strangles girl, two

Re: How horrible Escaped pet python strangles girl, two

OMG that is just awful!

Re: How horrible Escaped pet python strangles girl, two

That poor baby!!!

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They had a picture of the snake in yesterday's NEWSDAY - the thing was HUGE!

That poor baby - to have snake bites on her head.

Re: How horrible Escaped pet python strangles girl, two

That is horrible for everyone involved

Re: How horrible Escaped pet python strangles girl, two

I am a reptile lover and i get very annoyed when people purchase "a pet" and then toss it away. I realize people do make mistakes but it aggregates me that when people buy any pet they can't seem to do research on what the pet's needs and what the pet's behavior will be in the future along with its size. As I said people do make mistakes and as long as they try to find a shelter or rescue center for it and give a donation I tend to ease up a bit.

Snakes are wonderful creatures but they come with a set of rules. First of all they should of had a permit, they should of had a locked environment for which the snakes lives. Snakes and children do not mix if the snake is large enough to eat a child. Snakes do not understand baby=not a big bunny rabbit to eat. Snakes do escape very often since even at zoo's but typically have a separate room in which they are housed so if they go missing from the "box" they are trapped in the room.

I have box turtles that are illegal to own in NYS but I have a permit. I have the proper enclosures, I do not breed them and I try to teach children the do's and dont's of turtles. I actually want to setup a program to go to elementary schools because I am simply hurt every time i see a slider turtle let go in a pond (they are NOT NATIVE TO LI.)

Back on subject the parents should be fined for the snake and the snake should be put in a shelter and not destroyed.

Stepping off my box.

Re: How horrible Escaped pet python strangles girl, two

OMG that is just awful, that poor baby!!

Totally irresponsible and neglectful on the parents part Who keeps a snake like that as a pet with a toddler in the house and not have it in a locked area of the house?! Crap like this makes me sick. It's too bad they won't be charged with manslaughter.

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As much as I'm disgusted by their neglect, I can't imagine walking in and seeing that.

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Yeah I was horrified when I heard this....they played the 911 call on the news

I blame the parents, if you have an exotic pet like that in the house along w/kids, you better make damn sure they're secured properly, which they were not here....they asked another person who has exotic pets and he was saying that is NOT how you keep that type of snake

Unfortunately I think she may have suffered too, being strangled after being bitten

Re: How horrible Escaped pet python strangles girl, two

Re: How horrible Escaped pet python strangles girl, two

How awful