is this allowed?

[python faux]

here we go lol

i took my burmese python to my local counrty park today, (as i normally do) but today i was escorted off the grounds as it was a gala day and they said there not insured for me having it on me.
baring in mind:

• they have a snake on the grounds already,
• theres dogs (big dogs) running freely with childern
• and a falcon show going on where it could easly go for someone
• they have a reptile section on the grounds
• they say there insurance only covers dogs, cats, birds ect. but not snakes wrapped on me.

when i went up everyone was lovin seeing it, so much that i took part the croud away from the stalls that were charging money for things.

were they able to legaly do this?
who do i contact about getting an appolagy?

im so annoyed that ive never had a problem before untill im stopping someone making money. and how many dogs can easily turn on a child if it gets its ear pulled or tail stood. grrrr

rant over.

[royalnking]

Whist I sympathise with your outrage at them being ignorant about your burm ( usual eugh big slimy snake syndrome), I am concerned for your snake did you take hand gel with you and make people use it before they touched it? If you didn't let them near then thats fine. But maybe a gala day is not the best environment for any snake. As you stated yourself lots of noise, birds flying and dogs on the loose.
The reptile area will probably have been an independant organisation and will have had their own public liability insurance, and this may have been the organisers concern.
like I say it's not that I agree personally with what they have done but just looking at it from another perspective.

[kazoku]

i run into the same thing sometimes

my OH is a manager at a pet store and they sell alot of reps everything from boas to leos

and i have had people actually ask me to stand outside when i come with my royal to the store...shes only about 3.5 feet and calm as they come....im not going around the store saying "hey you want to hold my snake" im simply just doing busy work around the store with my little girl around my wrist or around my neck/shoulders

i just dont get it...i guess they dont mind looking at them when there is a thin piece of glass seperating them but under any other circumstances most ppl get all wigged out

[Gerry4292]

I'm not surprised they asked you to leave,why would you take any snake to a public area.As for there being birds of prey there,you should concider yourself very lucky,I have birds of prey as well as snakes and other reps,and trust me when i say they don't mix,a Secratery(sp)Bird for example spends its life hunting snakes.Imagine the problem you would have had if the falconry people had one of them there.
atb,
Gerry.

[Harrison]

Yeah I understand how it may be unfair that they usually allowed it but didn't this time... but personally I wouldn't be bringing a snake to such a public place anyway, mostly for the safety of the snake itself.

You mentioned you might have stole people away from stalls etc... But I think you'll find some people just left the gala altogether and went home. A lot of people don't like the thought of being in the same town as a snake let alone one that is so big.

Not trying to bash you, but I think you've been lucky being able to take the snake over in the past. I may disagree with it, but on the other hand you know your snake better than anyone and if they did let you have it with you before then it is quite unfair to change their minds now.

So I can see why you needed a little rant!

[rachy]

Do you have public liability insurance?
What would of happened if the snake got freaked out and bit someone?

[essexchondro]

I personally cannot think of any valid reason for taking a snake out to a public park (or any public space). At the very least its likely to stress out your snake, at worst you could cause mayhem and I'm sure plenty of police officers wouldn't hesitate at arresting you (rightly or wrongly)

You seem to be quite proud of the fact that you and your snake got so much attention and that you were a bigger draw than some of the stall holders. I wonder if you're doing this just to get attention and "big yourself up" amongst the general public that don't own reptiles?*.

* I once saw a man walking around B&Q's with a boa around his neck. What possible reason for this could there be other than to draw attention to oneself?

[Athravan]

At the end of the day I think they are allowed to do what they want on their grounds! You're not walking in the street or on your own property, you are presumabley on the property owned by someone else, be it a private venture, a national trust or a council, they will have rules, and they have the right to refuse entry or escort anyone off their property, as far as I'm aware.

As other people have said... if your snake had bitten someone you could be sued, you could lose every penny you have, your house, your clothes, everything, over it. We live in a society where people are cashing in on everything. Not to mention the huge bad publicity this would give the hobby.

Any company that takes animals out into the public for people to view has public liability insurance. If you want to educate people and start showing your snake you definitely need to go about it correctly and get yourself covered, and ask for permission before bringing them to events.

[Mason]

Even being a repitle keeper and a keeper of large snakes I wouldn't be happy to see someone in a PUBLIC place with kids/dogs etc with a large snake. As has been said the reason thye asked you to leave was if anyhting did happen to a memeber of the public (or one of their pets, or even one of their possesions) both you and the park would have been open for legal action.

[rob-stl-07]

have to agree with the people above. They own the grounds, so they can have your snake or not have your snakes on there ground. i am also thinking why you would take such a large snake to a place like this??? surely its common sense to not take a larg boid to a public place with families, young children and other animals??? think ahead.