Self control pushed to it's limit today

[infernalis]

I just got back from registering my daughter at summer camp, and while we were there I saw a rather large aquarium, familiar chunk of driftwood, and a hide log, with a basking lamp over it.

So much like anyone who hangs around here, I was drawn to walk over for a closer look. What I saw in there appalled me and Pi$$ed me off

Here sits this huge red tail boa, complete with a big pile of feces, a rotting skin shed (It shed, and no one picked it out of the cage), green mung in the water & the hide log was way too small.

I grabbed up a camp counselor, and expressed myself as best I could without being arrested:mad:

Then I made a loud public announcement (there were lots of families there) that if this tank had a mammal in it, there would be arrest warrants issued for neglect, and if I had my way the TV news would be there running a story on how a 4H camp that is supposed to be teaching responsibility to children has a neglected animal on the property!

One of the kids that volunteers there ran over and promised that he would change the tank, wash the water bowl and find a bigger hide if I would just take my kid to her cabin and leave:eek:

When we pick Samantha back up Friday, I will take my camera with me, and if that cage still looks the same way, They will wish they took better care of that boa!

[crzy_kevo]

wow that sucks you do what you have to wayne that boa needs to be taken better care of

[Lori P]

Go get 'em Wayne. I'd bring a long care sheet with me, along with a picture of what a proper tank set up should look like. I'd also offer to take the snake off their hands if they don't plan to properly educate kids on how to care for a sentient creature. Explain that children go to their camp to learn correct care-- not how to neglect.

[dashnu]

I got your back buddy, Jail sucks but nothing like the feeling of knocking out some pinhead :D:D:D He clearly deserved it!

[ssssnakeluvr]

well.....here it doesn't have to be a dog or cat....we can cite people for improper care no matter what it is.... :D

[drache]

I'm fairly certain they can (and should) here too

[Loren]

I'd sick Lori on them. :D:D


Or write a phony letter from the animal control, and send it to them, threatening a fine and/or jailtime for the neglect that had been reported to them. Be careful though, that one might be illegal. :)

Might be worth asking you local animal control if they would be willing to pay them a visit and talk them into caring a little more.

[infernalis]

Man the poor snake was coiled up on its own dried out turd.

The lame excuse was "Lisa takes care of that, and she is away" alright, good excuse, but that poo was so dried out, any moron could tell it had been there for days.

Little children were flocking to the cage, all staring in wonder at this animal. (sitting in absolute filth)

Here is a snapshot, My son is holding the snake, the lady is the camp counselor "Lisa" the one who "cares for" the snake.

They emailed this to me last summer, That's my boy:)

http://www.reformedsniper.net/snakes/boa_1.jpg

[Zephyr]

Oh wow... Fortunately I've never been to summer camp... I pray they wouldn't all have animals like that. Good going Wayne.
Ignorance and neglect are the two biggest enemies we all have as hobbyists and whatnot. The worse of the two is ignorance though...

[Garter_Gertie]

Great. Just great! I'm LONG on ignorace and neglect is not in my vocabulary. Just effin' GREAT! :eek:

[anji1971]

That's just too much.:mad:
I'd report it to the proper facilities right now, and see if they won't go and check up in the next couple of days. That kind of situation can't be something that 'just happened'. It screams long term neglect!
Glad you made a scene about it. Somebody had to!

[Snake lover 3-25]

:mad:that's horrible!!!!:mad: what camp was it????

[infernalis]

I am so glad you brought this one back up Shanley.

Samantha called home on Monday to tell us she forgot her bathing suit, and swimming was in an hour, so I grabbed up my camera, and went to the camp. (and her bathing suit too)

While I waited in the reception hall, I casually strolled over to the boa tank, cam in hand (One flash and they would have made me stop, so I was "covert" about it.)

The cage was spotless, fresh water and everything!


So I guess that my tantrum was taken seriously:)

[Snake lover 3-25]

awww that's great!!!!!!! but it wasn't camp corey was it???

[jitami]

The cage was spotless, fresh water and everything!
So I guess that my tantrum was taken seriously:)

Glad to hear it! Nice job Wayne! I'd still take the care sheet in and let them know if they grow tired of caring for it properly you could find it a great home. Give them an out... you never know.

[infernalis]

No Shanley it's "Hidden Vally 4H camp" in Watkins Glenn, NY

The snake is the private pet of one of the counselors, she brings it to camp every summer for the kids, to teach them that snakes are cool, and not to kill them.

I will talk to Lisa when I pick up Sammy friday.

[beaniesmommy]

Way to go Wayne!!! I do the same things when I see stuff like that. I am glad to know there are other "extremists" like me. I have NO tolerance for ignorance or laziness. I am a bit orf a hard A$$. But in a loving way... ;)

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

Now if only that would work for all the Petcos!

[infernalis]

Well here I sit still stewing, smoke rolling out of my ears.

I went to the pet store for crickets, and saw a baby Savannah dying in a tank from improper care.

When I offered to help, she got all arrogant with me.

Dropped a call to SPCA officer, and guess what?

Not the first time they got a call about this place:eek:

Gotta go give Chomper some attention to get my mind off it for a while, it won't be until tomorrow when Scott can get over there and kick some butt!

They just sold me my last bag of bugs from there:mad:

Don't care if I have to go another 8 miles away, I cannot support a store that kills animals, especially when they turn down help.

[crzy_kevo]

wow wayne that sucks but you made the right choice by making that call

[Zephyr]

Good call Wayne.
I haven't had to make any calls yet, but I pity the fools when finally do.

[infernalis]

I try and try, still cannot shake the image ingrained in my head.

The lizard is emaciated, lethargic, and puking.

They have it stuffed in a 10 gallon tank, the temp strip on the side read 80, and Savannahs require a basking area of 130, When I asked her what the temp was at the hot end, she didn't know.

They gave it mamal worm medicine! I asked where these "worms" were supposed to have come from, it's a baby for crying out loud. No vet, no professional opinion, just dosed it up on wormer.

When she refused my offer to help "What are you saying, we don't know what we're doing?" I had to leave quickly.

The answer to her question lies there dying right now.

[reptile3]

I try and try, still cannot shake the image ingrained in my head.

The lizard is emaciated, lethargic, and puking.

They have it stuffed in a 10 gallon tank, the temp strip on the side read 80, and Savannahs require a basking area of 130, When I asked her what the temp was at the hot end, she didn't know.

They gave it mamal worm medicine! I asked where these "worms" were supposed to have come from, it's a baby for crying out loud. No vet, no professional opinion, just dosed it up on wormer.

When she refused my offer to help "What are you saying, we don't know what we're doing?" I had to leave quickly.

The answer to her question lies there dying right now.

That is terrible!!! I have to leave the store, if I see things not the way they should be. I would end up in jail!

[ssssnakeluvr]

do you have an animal control agency in the area???? they handle stuff like that...can do criminal charges for cruelty. We handle those types of calls here....got a couple stores I'd like to shut down, but aren't in our jurisdiction....:(

[prattypus]

I don't know squat about cars- that's why I don't work on them. Same thing should apply to jobs dealing with animals. Now I know that someone isn't born with the skills, so I understand that unknowledgeable people will be filling these spots, but for the love of animals- team the new guys with an experienced person. An when a glaring mistake (putting it nicely) is brought to the staff's attention- it should be remedied.

I hate big box stores!

[infernalis]

This is a little hole in the wall, low rent shop run by a mother / daughter team.

It was the little 20 something daugter who snapped when I offered to help.

I was once very supportive, no more.



do you have an animal control agency in the area???? they handle stuff like that...can do criminal charges for cruelty. We handle those types of calls here....got a couple stores I'd like to shut down, but aren't in our jurisdiction....:(

Called animal control the moment I got home.

[Snake lover 3-25]

that sucks.... sorry you had to see that..... you made the right call...:(

[infernalis]

Thanks everyone for being so supportive, I tend to dwell when I see neglect, especially so blatant as that.

I'd rather shoot any animal in the head than watch it suffer for weeks and die slow.

[jitami]

That sucks Wayne... hopefully some good will come from the call to Animal Control :(

[Charlet_2007]

I see this nearly every day in what i do.. I so much want to choke or kick the person teeth down their ever loving throat.. But I don't I just smile and and get them the heck out of my house or am afraid they will take the snake back.. I don't know if I showed you of the pics of the last red tail I got in.. Worst I've seen EVER!! That white use to be notebook paper at one time...

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q61/zoie18_2001/S6305425.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q61/zoie18_2001/S6305422.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q61/zoie18_2001/S6305426.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q61/zoie18_2001/S6305423.jpg

[infernalis]

I saw those pictures Natalie.

When I rescued Cane from the Crack Ho, She had the 55 gallon sitting on a stereo rack in a room that people were partying and doing drugs nearly 24/7 with that stereo blaring.

"They are deaf, have no ears" DUH they sense vibrations, and those woofers shook, AC/DC Ozzy, boom boom boom. I can imagine the stress, no light cycles, no hide either.

His cage had reptile bark, it was clumped up and gross as hell.

there was shed and feces all over the place, and the water bowl looked like the one in your picture.

Now after only half a year, he is one of the most beautiful "Normal" BP around (Maybe I'm partial) I saw the woman a while back, she asked how the snake was doing, I said he was great, better than ever, why?

"May I come visit him?" NO

[Garter_Gertie]

Dekay, you can come visit P & J and Carmello any ol'time you wanna. You're welcome any time.

Oh. Bring more snakes with! LOL!