Posted on 08/26/2007 7:15:48 AM PDT by LibWhacker
CINCINNATI, Aug. 24 A 10-year-old boy who said he hated snakes killed a 10-foot python at petting zoo by stomping on the reptile's head.
Scott Braunstein, a reptile handler who brought the snake to the St. Bernadette Festival in Amelia, Ohio, last weekend, said he was shocked by the boy's violence, The Cincinnati Enquirer said Thursday.
The snake, named Popcorn, was a non-poisonous albino Burmese python.
Braunstein, who operates House of Reptiles in Dry Ridge, Ky., said the boy approached him and told him that he hated snakes. The child then raised his leg and stomped down on the snake's head, Braunstein said.
A man believed to be the boy's father grabbed the child and said, "This is why I don't take you anywhere," before disappearing into the crowd, the newspaper said.
"I have never, never had anything like that happen," Braunstein told the newspaper.
Well that's different. If a newspaper story was printed about some anonymous kid who allegedly stomped on the head of a puppy and was pulled away by his equally anonymous dad then of course I would say that we should hunt down this kid, hold him down and stomp on his head until he dies.
Get Ready for the
ST. BERNADETTE FESTIVAL
August 17, 18, and 19
Come and Kick Up some Fun!
First of all, the anonymous boy who allegedly killed this guys snake (there does seem to be a surprising lack of witnesses and/or trauma) was 10. The girls were 13. They should know the difference between a kitten and a snake.
Girls 'stomp kitten, then brag about it' 13-year-olds facing cruelty charges for act called 'beyond sick – it's evil'
Two girls from New Jersey are facing animal-cruelty charges after allegedly stomping on a kitten before burying it alive up to its neck.
Clearly this is a whole degree different between what the anonymous boy allegedly did and what the girls are charged with. Plus the kitten story seems to have names and facts associated with it.
ROFLOL
In a petting zoo (as opposed to a public or city zoo), the animals are owned by locals, usually 4H groups or FFA, sometimes just a farmer with calves or a burro, lambs, goats.
What I don’t understand is, while I’ve seen reptile handlers demonstrate snakes at events, they always have them wrapped around arms or body, allowing people to pet them while they have them under control. I’ve NEVER seen a snake at a ‘petting zoo’ and if it was there, I can’t imagine why they would allow the snake to just lie on the ground with people walking around it, even if it’s in an enclosed area. Why on earth would you allow an animal to just lie on the ground with people walking all over the place?? I don’t get that.
That's another thing that doesn't pass the smell test. It couldn't have been a very enclosed area because the kid and his dad "escaped" while the guy was tending his snake. Why didn't the guy shout out "Hey, stop the kid at the gate, he just killed my snake!".
Also how did the guy know the kid was ten? Did he interview him before the kid stomped the snake or was it a lucky guess?
Well I’m kind of lol right now at the second report that states Popcorn ‘layed’ around all day.
You’re right, how secure could the area have been for a snake if Dad and son got away so fast. The age thing is also a question mark for me. But I’m wondering - all I’ve seen online are the reports posted here. Were there no other witnesses at this carnival? Everyone had abandoned the snake pit at that exact time? No one has interviewed (from a legitimate source) Popcorn’s owner? No pics of him with the skin or showing how the area was set up, no reenactments, no outrage from others in the area? No? Nothing? No reports or statements from other parents whose children witnessed this? No statements from the church who sponsored this (ie, ‘We regret that this happened..) No pleas for witnesses to even come forth?
If it happened it’s a terrible thing and I’m sorry for the snake and his owner. But....I just keep thinking that something just ‘ain’t’ right in this story.
Omg..if that’s the set up, WHY would you leave a snake just lying there in the grass surrounded by cafeteria tables? How dangerous is that setup to the snakes to begin with???
So...is the kid in the red shirt the culprit? ;) Is this a pic from the carnival in question or just a shot of the snake and owner at some point? Are there any reports or pics from the St. Bernadette’s festival, witnesses or anything?
If the father would have taken him to the stomping zoo, this would have been a non-issue.
I'm dying to know - what's worse than a serial killer? (grin).
But I agree - while I hate snakes, that kid is even scarier.
This is a deliberate property crime, not killing some loose wild animal.
Okay, what should happen to a ten year old that destroys somebody's property? Warning? Death? Commitment to a mental institution for the rest of his life?
If he had stomped on a snake of mine, I might have told him I hate punks and stomped on his head.
It was a pet. The owner had put a lot of time and effort raising it. To him it was the same as killing his dog.
Just because most of you don’t like snakes, doesn’t mean some people can become attached. My son has a ball python that he is very attached to. Rex hangs out with me as well, likes curling around my neck under my hair.
To each his own, but that little boy should be found and after he is beaten, made to pay to replace the snake.
I think some community service would be in order for him & his sorry excuse for a father. Maybe cleaning cages at the animal shelter where he may learn compassion & respect for the creatures God made.
How about restitution & getting chewed out by a scary cop?
kick his fathers butt,and tan the little cretin with a leather strap. then make both of them work of the cost of the snake
Or Jeffrey Daumer.
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