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Keys hears shop sells snakes and spiders safely
SNAKES alive!
The House of Keys – home to some very slippery creatures of its own – was warned of the potential perils of having a poisonous snake on the loose.
Bill Henderson (Douglas North) questioned how a trader in Cooil Road in Braddan could justify selling tarantula spiders and pythons to the public.
He was referring to Island Aquatics Pet Centre which opened its new store at Eden Park last month, selling exotic reptiles as well as a large selection of fish.
But Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Phil Gawne told the Keys that inquiries by his officers and reports by an MSPCA inspector following a visit to the premises found there was no cause for concern.
And Nigel Thijs, director of Island Aquatics which has operated for three years and been selling reptiles for the past two years, told iomtoday the store didn't sell any dangerous creatures – and animal welfare was the highest priority.
He said: 'We don't sell poisonous snakes. We would not sell anything that would harm anyone in any way.'
But in the Keys Mr Henderson asked the DAFF Minister: 'Why on earth is he not able to do more given that tarantulas can actually kill someone they bite? What species of python are they selling there? They are a danger to humans. Certain species grow to 10, 15, 20ft in length.'
He asked what would happen if the owner of an exotic pet became bored of the novelty and 'tipped the cage out'.
'There's the potential of a poisonous snake on the loose,' he said.
Mr Gawne replied: 'I'm aware pythons are being sold but apparently they are not a poisonous variety. I'm led to believe tarantulas give you a nasty rash but would not kill you.'
He said there was 'considerable and legitimate' interest in keeping exotic pets, particularly reptiles and insects.
He added: 'Whilst, for the non-aficionado, this may be hard to understand, that is no reason, in a free society, to ban the pastime or the trade supporting it.'
Island Aquatics' Mr Thijs insisted: 'Our highest priority is the welfare of the animal and our duty of care goes beyond the sale.
'Reptiles have been sold on the Isle of Man for more than 20 years. They are a very small part of our business and we don't sell that many.'
He said he stocked only Royal Pythons which are not poisonous and grow to a maximum length of four feet. Similarly, the Chilean Rose Tarantulas stocked were not dangerous.
Mr Thijs said the store would not allow impulse buys and a customer who came in wanting to buy an exotic pet would be tested on their knowledge and would be given a week to think about it. It would be minimum of three weeks before they could take their new pet home.
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A BILL to bring the Isle of Man in line with an international agreement on moving, selling and owning endangered species of plants and animals went before the House of Keys for its first reading.
Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne will be taking the Endangered Species Bill 2009 through the Keys.
It will replace the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1981 and put into law prohibitions and restrictions set out in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
It covers the import and export of restricted species and gives the department the power to monitor their trade.
The regulations also set out the penalties for those found to be committing an offence.
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WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Send your comments to newsviews@newsiom.co.im
YOUR COMMENTS
Fantastic! One of the finest examples of ill-informed ranting I've heard from any of our esteemed MHKs. I really did have to read this twice and also check it wasn't April 1st. If nothing else Mr Henderson, you've really given me a reason to smile today. They also sell lizards you know, and there is the very real danger that if somebody mistakes them for dinosaurs, they could have quite a start.
MICK, Douglas
I have included a link here which appears on today's Liverpool Echo regarding a 2 month old baby catching salmonella from pet snake and lizard! It also lists the dangers to pregnant women.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2009/05/28/baby-catches-salmonella-from-pet-snake-and-lizard-100252-23734188/
This is a serious matter and I hope anyone selling exotic pets has to have an appropriate licence to do so but then again there is nothing stopping the people who buy them and get fed up with them simply passing them onto their friends etc.
ARACHNAPHOBIC!
Seriously is there nothing else to be discussed in the House of keys?! This another classic example of Bill Henderson yet again showing himself to unfit for office. A vote for him in the next elections will just go to prove the stereotype that Manx people are as all informed bigots. As highlighted by the recent facebook groups scandals and a certain MHK's views on transsexuals (amongst other things). Please North Douglas do the rest of us Manxies a favour and don't vote for Henderson again!
AC
The MHK in question should have done his research before wasting time bringing it up. He obviously has nothing else better to do.
AIMEE
Absolute class!! Yet again a Manx politician has demonstrated ignorance on a massive scale. Never mind being worried about having "dangerous"
animals on the loose we should be more concerned about the genuine threat posed by those who claim to be acting in the best interest of the Manx population. These muppets really are a danger to the community.
DAZ CREGEEN
Now I'm not a fan of snakes and especially spiders, but if people want them as pets, then fine. I've been to the Island Aquatics on many occasions and will continue to do so as the service they provide is excellent. I keep goldfish and brackish water fish and have asked advice on many occasions and was also interested in Terrapins, the advice I received was brilliant, and like Nigel says above, they do suggest you go away and think about it for a week. There are people who shouldn't be keeping pets, never mind selling them, but Island Aquatics certainly don't fit into this category. I think Mr Henderson should have a joint office (locked from the outside) with John Houghton where they can discuss snakes, spiders and portaloos to their hearts content. I think the room should possibly be padded too!
DO
I have two views on this topic.. Having had both reptiles and spiders in the past and have found them a very rewarding addition to the household. With the relevant knowledge these pets are recommended...However. having met 2 or 3 people who have recently purchased pets I was horrified at their "knowledge" of housing , feeding etc. One guy said he was making a home for his snake with wood he got from pallets!! Another claimed he had been bitten by the snake twice he had bought because he thought it was awake in its bed coz its eyes were open!!! HELLO Snakes dont have eyelids!!!!! So what exactly are they tested on when they buy these creatures. have u enough money to buy it? can u buy all the food from here? can we sell u another pet which will be no doubt dead in a month!!!! For the collector or responsible pet owner they are ideal. but I can see a lot of these poor creatures being dumped in the wilds or just dispatched when the owner is bored.. I agree with the salmonella comment but like most animals.chickens,.lambs , pigs etc at petting farms ..if you dont wash yr hands you get germs!!! As for the MSPCA checking etc .. Im afraid with previous dealings with them I dont think in my opinion they know their bums from their elbows and even if they did they dont do anything about it.. They are about as much use as a chocolate teapot....
ANXIOUS, IOM
Seriously ill informed I would say. I cannot recall of pythons being venomous. Then again, what do you expect from them, correct facts
PEEJAY
Bill Henderson take a bow. You sir are a comic genius and I doff my cap. Funniest thing I've read for weeks, well done.
CATTY
People can die from a wasp or bee sting let alone a tarantula bite and I know which one I'm more likely to encounter. As for 20 foot anaconda-esk pythons that will escape and in true Hollywood fashion develop an appetite for human flesh three times a day I think more people will die falling off a horse. Granted that some people buy these animals without the first clue of how to look after one and that should be addressed but then again how many goldfish, rabbits, mice and hamsters die from not being looked after correctly? Maybe you should be 18 before you can legally buy an animal? Of course you can still have a child as an accessory at the age of 16 without a licence!
ANON
An absolute joy. The people that had to sit & listen to that will never get their time back that's been wasted! Bill Henderson clearly hadn't done his homework & jumped in off the back of some complaining busy body who isn't directly affected by the selling of these species. Someone who probably hasn't done their homework either. Anxious does give me some concerns though but is it worthy of an MHK's involvement? I went to Island Aquatics today & was impressed to see a local vet doing a regular inspection.
THE DOCTOR
Ha ha absolute quality! Bring back spitting image and put all of these muppets on the show! That said, who would want to keep a spider or a snake anyway? Kid's these days what's wrong with cats & dogs!
ANT, Douglas
Bill Henderson I love you!!! Occasionally over the years the newspapers print stories about such creatures going missing from someone's home - on one occasion turning up in next door's airing cupboard. They can even come up in toilet cisterns. The more of these vile creatures we allow on this Island the more chance of this happening - especially with global warning. I know pythons can't
bite, but they could kill a baby or small child. Keep 'em in zoos or in their country of origin. I have to warn everyone that if I ever come across something like this on the loose in my house I will sue said 'owner' for every penny (after I've recovered from the heart attack). Before you all start gnashing your teeth - I am only joking
(well half joking).
WORRY WART
The thing that worries me about all this is when even the experts start talking about 'poisonous' snakes - as far as I am aware they do not exist. According to a lecture by a reptile expert that I once attended, snakes can be either venomous or non-venomous - reason being is that they inject or release a poison to defend themselves. Things like toadstools and certain plants are regarded as poisonous because you can become poisoned by touching or eating them. As long as you don't eat the poison gland you could quite safely consume a snake. If people are going to debate this then at least use the correct terminology to demonstrate some level of education. Animal toxins that are delivered subcutaneously (e.g. by sting or bite) are also called venom. In normal usage, a poisonous organism is one that is harmful to consume, but a venomous organism uses poison to defend itself while still alive. Agree totally that surely our MHK's must have something better to do than waste everybody's time on this topic - maybe they should spend more time getting their facts straight and doing some discrete research before raising such questions?
ANON
I've kept numerous snakes of many kinds and reptiles, tree frogs, lizards, iguanas and turtles (terrapins in this country). They need proper care, housing, and feeding. Mistakes can be costly. I read up on all my pets before I got them. In fact my then 11 year old daughter, bought our first one with her own money. Provided there is someone responsible involved there is not a problem. I believe that if a snake bites then you've done something wrong. I misread my snake when he bit me. It hurt and swelled but was not in any way dangerous!Happy reptile keeping!
MOUSE
How foolish to expose his ignorance in front of not only his peers, but now the world. Sounds like he has a grudge against this business and with the economy being in a downturn, local businesses could do without being hindered by the ministers we employ. Where will he stop, does he know that B&Q over the road sell tools that can injure people, maybe he'll waste next week by bringing up questions about them…? If only I lived in North Douglas then I could vote for an alternative.
STEVE, Douglas
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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