Dangerous Pets and Children Don't Mix

The July 1 death of Shaiunna Hare, 2, in Oxford, Florida was tragic and completely preventable.  Her mother's boyfriend, Charles Darnell, found little Shaiunna in the tight clutches of his albino Burmese python (reports vary as to length - whether it was 8 feet or 12 feet), with the snake biting her head.  Darnell tried to save Shaiunna by stabbing the python, but it was too late.

Having grown up in Miami, this kind of a story is all-too-familiar.  From alligators to pythons to komodo dragons, it seems that some Floridians think it's cool to own an exotic animal.  The Everglades are sadly overrun by Burmese pythons, dumped by irresponsible pet owners who brought these non-native snakes in as pets and then realized that the snakes -- which can grow to 20 feet long and kill an adult human -- are dangerous.  As a result, the pythons have upset the eco-system of the Everglades, consuming a great deal of the native wildlife, competing with the alligators for food.  On an airboat ride through the Everglades last December, I happened to see a Burmese Python slithering through the sawgrass myself.  I'm against dumping the animals into a national park, but I am also against keeping them in homes with small children -- how about not getting them in the first place?

Lest you think I am an "ooh, snakes are icky" kind of mother, my children regularly attend nature classes held by the county parks and rec department and have held or touched snakes, alligators, large lizards and many other creatures.  We have also had a LOT of discussions about the fact that wild animals belong in the wild and that they are not to touch them in the wild.  I want my children to grow up with a healthy appreciation for creatures great and small, so I make sure they are exposed to a variety of animals but also have an understanding of the dangers.  They went with me on that airboat ride and saw alligators in their natural habitat -- they understand that alligators are animals meant to be respected, not taunted or teased, and they can be observed from a safe distance.  Sure, we saw some cute little ones in the observation tank at the beginning of the tour, but my kids understand that these "cute babies" grow up to be gigantic gators.

Every pet owner -- whether the pet has scales, feathers or fur -- needs to re-evaluate the relationship when a child comes into the picture.  Believe me, I'm as fervent a pet owner as any -- I've had pet bills (individual pet bills) larger than some house payments -- but when it comes down to a human life versus keeping a pet, it's time to get priorities in order.  If a pet's natural instinct is to kill you, it is not safe to have in a home with children.  If you would not feel safe in the home with the pet should it get loose, it is not safe to have in the same home as your children.  Either adopt out your pet or adopt out your children -- your choice -- but do something before tragedy happens. 

Shaiunna is gone and while the python has been treated for the stab-wounds Darnell inflicted, euthanasia is likely in its future. 

Being a parent means setting aside all ego and putting the health and safety of the young life you are rearing first.  It means asking yourself, "is THIS really worth the potential risk to my child?"  Ask a parent who has lost a child due to circumstances beyond their control what they'd give up to have that child back in their arms, and they'd tell you they'd give up ANYTHING.  If you are harboring a potentially dangerous pet in your home, think of little Shaiunna, who was innocently sleeping when her mother's boyfriend's pet silently slithered out its bag, out of its glass case, down the hall, and squeezed the air out of her and covered her with bites -- then ask yourself, what are you willing to give up to keep YOUR child safe? 

Original post to DC Metro Moms.

As a Miami native, J.J. grew up around sharks, alligators, coral snakes and water moccasins, and thus, a healthy respect of wildlife.  She writes about life, family, and technology at Caffeine and a Prayer.  She expresses her condolences to Shaiunna's family on their tragic loss.

Photo credit:  copyright: istockphoto.com/ Paul Tessier