Cops Taser snake to save handler

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/12/31/snake.attack.ap/index.html

A 14-foot python bit its handler and tried to drag her into its cage during a show at an aquarium, and wouldn't release the woman until a police officer zapped it with a stun gun.

Alison Cobianchi, 18, was taking Chloe, a Burmese python, out of her cage for the daily snake presentation Saturday at the Tarpon Springs Aquarium when the snake wrapped itself around her arm and waist.

Visitors and aquarium employees kept the nonvenomous snake from pulling Cobianchi into the cage, but couldn't make it release its grip.

Police were called to help. "We either had to Taser it or we would have had to kill it," police Sgt. Allen MacKenzie said.

Cobianchi suffered puncture wounds on her wrist.

[LeftyMom]

1. Gee, maybe the snake doesn't want to be a prisoner anymore.

The poor thing shouldn't live in a cage or perform for human beings. Most snakes are very shy.

He belongs in the wild, or something as close to his home environment as we can offer him, if that's not feasible for some reason.

[jilln]

3. No kidding.

But I'm glad the police didn't just hack the snake to bits or shoot, which is how they usually react to animal emergencies.

Glad the woman's OK too. When will people learn that wild animals are wild animals?

[Lurking Dem]

4. MOST snake handlers are well aware of that.

These are not creatures that feel affection. Or anything else, for that matter.

If they had sprayed whiskey into its mouth, it would have let go. Also, people make the mistake of trying to unwrap the snake from its head down rather than its tail up.

[jilln]

5. You're a snake handler?

That's interesting info - not that I ever expect to be in that position - but wouldn't anything bad tasting sprayed into their mouths also work?

Shouldn't people who work with dangerous animals at least carry pepper spray?

[Lurking Dem]

6. I'm not, no.

My son keeps snakes. They HATE the taste of alcohol. I don't know that pepper spray would work. When you say "bad tasting" keep in mind these are creatures that eat live rodents. :9

Almost all these events are caused by faulty handling. Many, for instance, think it is cool to hand feed a snake. But then they associate your hand with food. Not cool.

I will handle my son's boa on occasion. She's still pretty small, though - maybe 3 feet. I don't know how I'll feel when she's 7 or 8 feet. She's incredibly beautiful.

[Bolo Boffin]

2. I'm glad to know she is all right.

"She was my favorite animal that we had," Cobianchi said of Chloe. "Not anymore."

I'm wondering if Cobianchi wants to own that park. The owner says the snake bit him before.