Video: Florida wildlife officers mistakenly kill legally-owned pregnant boa constrictor

Shocking video shows Florida wildlife officers killing dozens of pythons including a pregnant boa constrictor that was legally owned. NBC’s Maya Eaglin has more on the moment when they realized their 100,000-dollar mistake.

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[Ash_Carnelian]

The Boa was 10 years old, and the owner said he raised her from when she was a baby :( That's 10 years of love and care, taken away so carelessly.

[Leesboringlife]

Wildlife officers that can't correctly identify a species of a snake should not be employed in a wildlife job.
Identifying animal species is part of their job. They should be able to do that before even being hired on as an wildlife officer

[hollybeal]

I've never been a snake owner but I don't see any difference between a snake or my service dog. They are a part of your family. This is so sad and should have never happened. I don't think this was a mistake at all. Whoever took these actions should be held accountable.

[viduraherath]

The amount of self restraint this man had to not get 2 charges of assaulting a police officer is insane.

[gregengel]

Getting a boa confused with a python is like a dog catcher mistaking a German Shepherd for a Doberman Pinscher. No excuse!

[suesmith]

It can't possibly be a "mistake" - they were told not to touch her. Wasn't just her they killed but all her unborn babies too. (Not to mention the other snakes who could have been rehomed if they'd let him). This is totally disgusting, sickening and heartbreaking.

[andrewbrinkworth]

The worst part is, seconds after the guy in grey realizes the mistake he shrugs his shoulders and say mistakes happen... Mistakes like that should never happen it wouldn't be acceptable for a vet to put the wrong dog down and this should be held to the same standards.

[Specogecko]

Shows how well FWC takes their responsibility seriously. How could they be the ones to determine what reptiles should be banned or not when they don’t even know how to train their officers to be able to identify such reptiles.

[TheCoryAyers]

The owner did not request them to euthanize the animals. His back was against the wall. He did everything they asked, they then told him to stop selling the animals, they showed up and told him they made him into a criminal and he said he didn't want to be a criminal. That's coercion. The officers also inhumanely executed them. They didn't follow their own protocols for humane euthanization. All of what I just said is on their body cams, which they also turned on and off during these events. They should all be fired, the laws should be reversed, and the owners should be compensated. What a disgrace.

[NewEnglandReptile]

This is the process of a state agency that has run out of control and needs to be held accountable. This is tragic and captive pet snakes do not deserve this. Many people keep pet snakes snd they love them
Just as we love any other pet!

[X_RayLT]

>Be Wildlife officer
>Cant correctly Tell apart a Boa from a Python

[alex]

I personally do not like snakes, but my heart goes out to the guy. He was a law abiding citizen n was professional with his pets. I hope he can get some justice and a settlement.

[chamab.]

The way dude was essentially like whatever. That makes my blood boil. Had it been a dog he would have at least felt bad. Snakes get such a bad rap. Pet snakes deserve just as much empathy as furry pets.

[SADrina]

So sad. My condolences to the guy who lost all of his babies. RIP to the snakes, especially mama Boa.

[brice]

Not only was it the owner’s beloved pet, but it was pregnant with $100, 000 worth of baby boas

[xobr]

if you’re thinking “oh its a snake i hate snakes” keep in mind that man saw that snake like you see your dog or your cat and someone accidentally euthanized them when they didnt need to be

[DzBeanz]

I'm not particularly a fan of snakes....but this is a sad, SAD story.

[TecraX]

FWC: "Python, Boa, Mamba, Cobra, Garden Hose, Power Cord - They all look the same to us!"

[WaryJester]

A boa and a python are very different. I can appreciate the one guy being distraught and actually being remorseful, but that's incredibly sad. A boa raised from a baby, pregnant and about to contribute to the pet trade of legal owners and wildlife enthusiasts, killed by momentary ignorance and a single bad call. The poor thing.

[Remikyn]

This made me cry. As a snake owner, nobody should have to go through that. Snakes are loved by their owners just like any other pet, and these snakes are 30+ year commitments for owners (similar commitments to horses and parrots). I'm very disapointed in those officers and the owner should be fully compensated for the financial and emotional loss.