fact or myth

[baxtor]

It has been stated on more than one occassion that mishaps by keepers while freehandling venomous snakes has led to changes in regulations. Can anybody provide any evidence of this ever happening or is it simply a myth.
Simply asking the question seems to invite ridicule but I am yet to see anything other than generalisations along the line of " nobody is stupid enough not to understand that" or"anybody who has been in the snake keeping world... has observed it".
We've all heard of "pics or it didn't happen" so how about some sort of evidence or it never happened.

[ssssnakeman]

Mishaps by keepers are probably more common when doing the routine things, like cleaning and feeding that you can get complacent about.
It only has potential to change regs when it becomes public in a emotive way, such as being made a thread about in an open forum

[Dabool]

sorry to bust in on the thread but do most keepers of venomus snakes keep anti venom at home in case of a misshap or would you have to get to a hospital.

[Just_Joshin]

Originally Posted by Dabool

sorry to bust in on the thread but do most keepers of venomus snakes keep anti venom at home in case of a misshap or would you have to get to a hospital.

You'd have to get to hospital. It costs Thousands of dollars to purchase, has a short shelf life, would need training to learn how to correctly administer. You'd also want to be close to medical help incase you have a reaction to the anti-venom.

So i wouldn't even advise keeping if you could.

[Dabool]

would it be covered by medicare

[junglepython2]

Originally Posted by baxtor

It has been stated on more than one occassion that mishaps by keepers while freehandling venomous snakes has led to changes in regulations. Can anybody provide any evidence of this ever happening or is it simply a myth.
Simply asking the question seems to invite ridicule but I am yet to see anything other than generalisations along the line of " nobody is stupid enough not to understand that" or"anybody who has been in the snake keeping world... has observed it".
We've all heard of "pics or it didn't happen" so how about some sort of evidence or it never happened.

Do you mean evidence that free handling results in bites or evidence that it has changed the regulations?

[baxtor]

Originally Posted by junglepython2

Do you mean evidence that free handling results in bites or evidence that it has changed the regulations?

that it has directly led to regulation change.
there is no doubt that freehandling MAY result in a bite,just as bites MAY occur while not freehandling. The flow on effect to regulation change is often stated as a fact by keepers opposed to freehandling and I am interested in knowing if it is in fact true. I very much doubt that the relevent authorities distinquish between the differing circumstances of a bite situation if they ever hear about it at all.

[BIG RYANO]

Total Myth. The "authorities" dont give a rats how many keepers get bitten by their own animals. The change in regulations will come when an escapee bites a member of the public. Such as a neighbours child etc.

[Tatelina]

Originally Posted by Dabool

would it be covered by medicare

Hahaha... I hope you're not planning to keep elapids any time soon?

[ssssnakeman]

Well noted b.r.
Also , i think if display handlers get envenomated while showing snakes in a public place,
this could also effect a change.

[waruikazi]

Originally Posted by Dabool

would it be covered by medicare

Lets hope not, then people considering free handling might think twice.

[Bredlislave]

Anti venom is used when the snake can be correctly identified and only administered in a hospital
with an ICU and only then after careful monitoring -
something to think about if driving yourself or a friend to hospital after being bitten

I used to think "just bob on down to the local doctor and get a shot to reverse the venom effects"..)

It's no way like that at all

[Jonno from ERD]

Originally Posted by BIG RYANO

Total Myth. The "authorities" dont give a rats how many keepers get bitten by their own animals. The change in regulations will come when an escapee bites a member of the public. Such as a neighbours child etc.

It happened in South Australia after three consecutive bites from Taipans. If it weren't for the likes of Peter Mirtschin and Tim Mensforth, there would have been some draconian regulations placed upon the keeping of them.

[BIG RYANO]

I should mention i'm talking about NSW only. I was told directly by a NPWS employee that " If people are silly enough to keep those animals and they get bitten by them,thats their problem".

[RevDaniel]

I have something to add. although this snake is not venomous scrub pythons are renown for being extremely aggressive snakes. My friend has a ten foot scrubby that he can free handle, the ideal snake to own if you would believe that. The old saying "cause and effect" or is the glass half full of half empty" although the snake is a great snake to handle it is a very hard snake to get feeding as it has very little aggression in it. he has to annoy the scrub python so much before it will strike at the food item. It will only eat a meal about once a month. So nothing for nothing.