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Couple guilty of child abuse after pet python attacked son
Telegraph UK ^

Posted on 05/07/2009 9:18:39 PM PDT by Chet 99

Melissa and Anthony Melendrez have been placed on probation after being charged with child abuse and child neglect following the attack in January in the family's home.

During the incident, the snake wrapped itself around the toddler, constricting the child and sinking its fangs into his body. The attack prevented the boy from breathing and he began to turn blue, police reports state. He also suffered several bite wounds.

The reticulated python only released the boy from his grip when Mrs Melendrez attacked it with a knife, stabbing it more than a dozen times.

The snake was later euthanised, and the couple's five other pet reptiles – including a 14-foot python – were taken to an animal shelter.

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: python

1 posted on 05/07/2009 9:18:39 PM PDT by Chet 99
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To: JoeProBono
Pythons are not vicious. There are only bad python owners. Pythons make excellent pets for children. Why look here at this photo for proof:


2 posted on 05/07/2009 9:19:31 PM PDT by Chet 99
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To: Chet 99
The python was just being a python. In the wild a major portion of their diet is monkey, which to a python is exactly like a toddler. Snakes may become docile, but affection is not part of their genetic make up. The parents were being criminally negligent and just plain stupid.
3 posted on 05/07/2009 9:25:39 PM PDT by Natural Law
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To: Chet 99

Why is that boy lying in a pile of bags and shoes?


4 posted on 05/07/2009 9:28:15 PM PDT by Nuhna di Abuv
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To: Nuhna di Abuv
Why is that boy lying in a pile of bags and shoes?

Special Burmese bed. Here's what he'll look like after getting tucked in:


5 posted on 05/07/2009 9:34:47 PM PDT by aruanan
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To: Chet 99

6 posted on 05/07/2009 9:44:46 PM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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To: Chet 99
constricting the child and sinking its fangs into his body.

I do wish the media would report correct information. Pythons don't have FANGS, they have TEETH. Only venomous snakes have fangs. I guess the rule is to go with the more sensational word though.

7 posted on 05/07/2009 9:48:07 PM PDT by Americanchild
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To: Chet 99
Pythons are not vicious.

Correct.

There are only bad python owners.

Actually, there are many good python owners. They don't make the news because their snakes don't attack people.

Pythons make excellent pets for children.

Nope, but geckos aren't bad.

8 posted on 05/08/2009 4:58:57 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("This is our duty: to zot their sorry arses into the next time zone." ~ Admin Mod)
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