Worst Snake Tragedy I've seen - and what we can do about it

The "Holy Thursday Massacre" is one of the worst tragedies I've seen happen to a reptile keeper by a government agency. 34 pythons were inhumanely killed and a gravid pet boa which was totally legal to have was accidentally killed because officers couldn't identify the snakes properly. We're going to discuss it and talk about what we can do about it. Links below:

Call Florida Governor DeSantis: [phone]

[yoyomama]

The worst part about this whole thing to me is that those snakes were all tap trained - meaning you would tap them with a snake hook to let them know it was not food time and not to strike at the handler. All those years building trust with these animals and then it gets used so you can take them out and kill them without getting bitten it breaks my heart

[heatherwalker]

This is absolutely heartbreaking and was a grievous abuse of power. The actions taken by FWC were needless and rash. These individuals had no training nor authority to euthanize these snakes and didn't even bother to have a licensed veterinarian oversee the procedures.

[jesusbeloved]

I was blindsided by a video the next day showing the graphic footage of what happened. To say I lost it was an understatement. I started screaming. I suffer from PTSD from horrific events of my past. YouTube, in all their idiocy, had no disclaimer, no warning, nothing to inform me I was to see someone murdering snakes just because they were the wrong kind of snakes.
I’m sorry, I’ve had to stop your video part way through ‘cause I thought I was getting sick. I’m still breaking down in tears if I think of it. Thank you, Bob for not showing footage. I respect you very much, and now respect you even more for your consideration. Blessings!

[amybentley]

I hope all reptile keepers understand the importance of supporting both USARK and USARK Florida. This was such an upsetting tragedy, and we definitely need to see some education and reform happening within the FWC.

[katydidd]

Yeah sooo I'm just gonna come out with it: I'm a snake owner and breeder who has worked in private conservation in the past, not as a LEO, but I've known a few LEOs well enough. So I've been on both sides of this issue, and I'm comfortable saying the way this went down was astoundingly bad... Like, it boggles my mind to think about the steps FWC had to have taken to botch this up so badly. I can easily understand why so many people think this was intentional... I agree with them. The ways in which all of this could have been averted are too numerous to list off the top of my head. This wasn't just the officers screwing up, this was *all* of Florida FWC screwing up - from the top down.

Beware of federal/state conservation agencies. They aren't what they appear to be.

[slaughterhater]

I’m not a snake owner but I can clearly see the passion and love snake breeders have for their animals and they cannot fathom how FWC could just walk in and kill a perfectly legal snake after they were told numerous times they could not kill that boa constrictor. Thankfully I live in Texas where reptile ownership is still legal and I hope to get my first snake one day. Even if it’s just a small grass snake.

[jimwoodard]

Thanks for talking to this without the shock value of video footage. What happened and those deeds were downright awful and atrocious. I am not brought to tears easily, but I couldn't watch what was happening without not only bawling, but becoming physically ill. And I grew up on a farm! As a person with native American heritage, I was appalled at how easily these people took the lives of these creatures without any respect to their spirits.

[janiceellery]

I live in Fort Lauderdale about ten miles from where this happened. I've been saying for a long time that FWC is out of control. I plan on going to the May I1th FWC meeting in Miami next week. Everyone who has exotic pets should be concerned about this. These FWC officers did this deliberately and sadistically.

[Erica-PlaneSnakes]

Hi Bob, thank you for taking the time to make this video. I know how difficult it must've been. As painful as it is to be continuously reminded of this tragedy, we need to make sure this doesn't fade into the background but continues to spread to not just reptile keepers but animal lovers everywhere.

[ShoraAlchemist]

The shop I used to work at here where I live in FL had the FWC come in and do the exact same thing to their collection of Tegu and Iguana, who were not breeders or anything. Turns my stomach. I had no idea this was happening, and thank you for telling us this. I'll light a candle for those sweet noodle babies tonight.

[jenniecogs]

1) Thank you so so much for deciding to do a well thought out video on this. I think it’s so important. You are such a positive influence on so many, and it’s so crucial that everyone is informed.
2) Thank you for not showing clips…you’re right…it’s already seared into some our minds.
3) Thank you for reminding us all to remain professional and respectful in speaking out.

[Leese]

This is so horrific and it must have been hard to take such a measured approach in the face of that.

I hope the guys who owned them are OK. I can't even imagine what they went through.

It's because it's snakes, isn't it? I mean, imagine the uproar if someone went in and did that to peoples' cats and dogs.

[Cteodorski]

Bob, I’m making the trip to Miami to let FWC know what we think about this.

[MoonstonePlains]

Thank you for being a role model for us all. This makes me look at you with so much respect. 🎉❤

[anastasiacalia]

I saw that video on youtube shorts and it caught me absolutely off guard. It made me bawl my eyes out.. I can‘t even begin to imagine the pain Bill went, and is still going, through..💔

[HelloWorldxx]

I became a USARK bronze member after the massacre.
It broke my heart so bad and made me angry all the same.
I'm not from the US but animal suffering and injustice concerns all of us.

[fantasyskeep]

I'm a Florida resident, ESC permit holder, and a USARK Florida Gold member.

[spracketskooch]

Holy shit, I despise the state more and more as I get older. The FWC says, "these snakes are ours now, but you have to feed, house, clean, and pay for their care until we can stop by to shoot a nail into their head." So, not only do they kill your snakes without warning, they murder your beloved pet, and to top it all off they make you pay for it all. Governments seemingly around the world have gotten way, way out of hand. It's time that we reign them in. Disgusting behavior like this is a good place to start holding them accountable.

P.S. You say they accidentally killed the Boa, but the guy in the blue saw and comprehended the sign on the enclosure. He was either too much of a coward to say anything, or he deliberately kept quiet.

[sarahelaine]

As others said, thanks for not showing video, I can't bring myself to watch it after seeing images in the articles. I am a USARK member and just joined the FL chapter! It makes me so, so sad for all those snakes, dying so terribly, and for Chris. I hope the FWC is held accountable for this inhumane event. Thanks for putting together this difficult video with some next steps we can take to protect our pets of all types.

[RobertKirkpatrick]

Thanks for the measured video Bob, I saw one part of the snakes being killed and it was too much. I am planning to call my local fish and wild game department and ask that they do not perform similar actions in my state.

From this event, I decided to throw down and volunteer as the Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary to give back. It's been a lot of hard work, but I have never felt more satisfied. Id recommend to anyone who is able to channel their anger, and sorrow from this event and try to give back, adopt an animal, or donate to their ability.