Large reptiles dumped on Long Island

[bugmankeith]

The past few months nearly 10 alligators, 3 iguanas, and at least 5 huge pythons have been found all over Long Island, even during the cold seasons. Why are people getting away with this and how do they get alligators? I see pet stores with alligators, salt water sharks, and exotic reptiles and native ones not supposed to be sold. This is crazy how aren't these people caught?

 

[Redneck101]

The cops honestly think there are more inmportant things to do that monitor what kind of pets we are buying and selling. It is annoying to hear this stuff, because it looks bad on those people who buy/sell and keep exotics legally and would never do this crap. people just think its cool to own things they have no buisness owning..

 

[bugmankeith]

What's worse is the animals were loose outside in weather that could kill them, at least find a reliable place to take them for you so they are safe...

 

[Redneck101]

People just dont think before they do anything.. when you get an alligator, what do you think is goin to happen?!?! its not goint to stay small and cute forever. havnt you ever been to the zoo?? haha. that 9" in 3 short years can turn into a 6 foot 150 pound animal that will eat anything it can fit in its mouth.

 

[Philth]

I haven't heard of any pythons being caught:? Do you have a link to that reference? Google found me a story about a loose Iguana, and I only heard of about 4, maybe 5 Alligators running around. ( Im not saying its OK though) I'm familiar with all the pet shops on Long Island and I can say for certain these animals are not coming from them, but more likely bought in other states where they are legal and brought here. Iguana's are not illegal to sell here though, but some of the large constrictors and certainly alligators require special permits to legally own.

later, Tom

 

[bugmankeith]

http://www.longislandpress.com/2012/10/19/2500-reward-offered-in-mastic-snake-case/

That's one, the other links lead to old news archived, try googling boa constrictor and Python Long Island.

 

[pitbulllady]

http://www.longislandpress.com/2012/10/19/2500-reward-offered-in-mastic-snake-case/

That's one, the other links lead to old news archived, try googling boa constrictor and Python Long Island.

I would NOT for one second put it past those b@$#@&^$ at HSUS to have dumped that Boa themselves, just to make a case for banning these snakes, which are NOT DANGEROUS! AR's have admitted before to having dumped various exotics and to have falsely claimed to have seen loose exotic animals. Nothing at all is beyond them when it comes to trying to prove a point and ban and regulate animals. Honest people these are NOT, folks.

pitbulllady

 

[LadySharon]

Could any of these animals be the result of the havoc hurricane Sandy caused? I know one of my Aunt's houses (she lives in the vicinity of long island) had several feet of water in the basement - everything down there was ruined. And I've seen pictures of destroyed houses. Could some of those animals have come from damaged/destroyed homes?

 

[Philth]

http://www.longislandpress.com/2012/10/19/2500-reward-offered-in-mastic-snake-case/

That's one, the other links lead to old news archived, try googling boa constrictor and Python Long Island.

I Goggled "Python found on Long Island" and found the same story about the 3 foot boa found in Mastic. I'm still not seeing much evidence of pythons being found here. Like Iguana's , Boa's are legal here and pet shops are allowed to sell them. ( for now )

I would NOT for one second put it past those b@$#@&^$ at HSUS to have dumped that Boa themselves, just to make a case for banning these snakes, which are NOT DANGEROUS! AR's have admitted before to having dumped various exotics and to have falsely claimed to have seen loose exotic animals. Nothing at all is beyond them when it comes to trying to prove a point and ban and regulate animals. Honest people these are NOT, folks.

pitbulllady

Interesting, Mastic is not the safest place to visit on Long Island if you came here lol. So I'm not surprised to hear of someone dumping a pet on the curb there. I would think larger snakes like Retics, Burms, Anacondas.... would make a better story if it was a planted snake. But then again they are already banned here and Boa's are not.

Could any of these animals be the result of the havoc hurricane Sandy caused? I know one of my Aunt's houses (she lives in the vicinity of long island) had several feet of water in the basement - everything down there was ruined. And I've seen pictures of destroyed houses. Could some of those animals have come from damaged/destroyed homes?

The alligator stories were before the hurricane. Regardless they are illegal to own here either way. I'd like to think most people evacuated any exotic pets to warmer places with heat and power. I know this wasn't an option for everyone though, but if some did get out they were prob doomed by the cold temps and nor'easter that followed up Sandy a week or so later.