[bots]

A man who takes his snakes to sunbathe in his local park has sparked an online debate about what animals are - and are not - acceptable in public spaces.

The Friends of Barshaw Park group said it had been contacted by people who were worried about someone taking up to 20 of the reptiles to the Paisley park.

It urged anyone who saw the snakes to call the police.

Far from being horrified, many locals have defended the snake owner - who appears to be a regular visitor.

They said he was clearly doing no harm and kept his snakes under control at all times, and questioned why the police would need to get involved.

Photos of the man posted on social media show him happily posing with the snakes draped around his neck or standing close to them as they slithered on the grass.

But the Friends group said in a post on its Facebook page that it had been told by the local council that "no-one has permission to bring snakes into Barshaw Park".

It added: "The police request that if you see anyone in the park with snakes, please do not approach the person but call the police on 101 and they will attend".

A woman who responded to the warning said she had met the man a couple of times with her kids.

She added: "Really nice guy, answered the 1,001 questions we had about snakes. The snakes were under control and enjoying a little sunbathe.

"Can we show the same concern for people bringing their out-of-control dogs to the park?"

Another said the snake owner was "really nice and full of smiles" and that any concerns about him were "OTT".

One local wrote that the man only had two snakes when she saw him - one around his arm and another on the grass - and that she had to warn a passing family not to stand on one of them.

Another pondered what newspaper headline writers would make of the snakes going for a ride on the park's miniature railway, while someone else opened up a second front in the debate by claiming to have once seen people with ferrets in the park.

Support for the snakes was not universal, however, with potential safety issues also being raised and one social media user responding simply: "Nope. Ban it. Ban him. No no no."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65931360

[Cherie Christmas]

is that you Sherriff

dont see the issue here, out of control dogs are a bigger menace

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by Cherie

is that you Sherriff

dont see the issue here, out of control dogs are a bigger menace

You know me!

Behind the gooseberry bush at 5?

[Zizu]

Speaking as an experienced Herpetologist ( snake breeder/keeper ) I personally don’t like the idea of anyone taking their snakes out in public places .. so many potential pitfalls .

Firstly most snakes need temps ranging from 80F to 92F ( 27C to 34C ) .. then there’s the fact that many / most people will probably freak out or at least be unsettled on seeing a snake in their local park - especially if it’s a decent sized one ( between 7 to 14’ ) ..

Then there is also the risk of off-lead dogs attacking the snakes .


I’ve only seen two people with a snake in public and felt that they were both doing it for the wrong reasons ( they were simply attention seekers) .


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[Christmas Dynamo]

Reminds me of all the snakes that work for the BLob in government

bloody civil serpents

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by Zizu

Speaking as an experienced Herpetologist ( snake breeder/keeper ) I personally don’t like the idea of anyone taking their snakes out in public places .. so many potential pitfalls .

Firstly most snakes need temps ranging from 80F to 92F ( 27C to 34C ) .. then there’s the fact that many / most people will probably freak out or at least be unsettled on seeing a snake in their local park - especially if it’s a decent sized one ( between 7 to 14’ ) ..

Then there is also the risk of off-lead dogs attacking the snakes .


I’ve only seen two people with a snake in public and felt that they were both doing it for the wrong reasons ( they were simply attention seekers) .


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What would be good is a thread about your snakes
What ones you have what do you feed them how much do they cost to keep

[Zizu]

Originally Posted by thesheriff443

What would be good is a thread about your snakes
What ones you have what do you feed them how much do they cost to keep

Originally Posted by thesheriff443

What would be good is a thread about your snakes
What ones you have what do you feed them how much do they cost to keep

Thank you .. I may do that … when my life is less torturous


In the meantime this is one of my hatchlings ..

Albino Royal Python








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[arista]

[Some people using the park said the
snakes were always kept under control]


Seems Fine.

[Zizu]

Originally Posted by arista

[Some people using the park said the
snakes were always kept under control]


Seems Fine.

It’s not really the place for snakes though as I explained .. they don’t like being handled in the first place .. they just tolerate it .. some better than others .


A few years ago I witnessed a huge Doberman rip a little spaniel to pieces and tear the owners jacket to ribbons ..

If some guy has his snake slithering in the park grass it may look safe but if an aggressive dawg runs up and starts biting and shaking the snake then the owner can do nothing .. why take the risk ?


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[arista]

So Long as it is Supervised

OK

[Zizu]

Originally Posted by arista

So Long as it is Supervised

OK

It’s not that simple I’m afraid


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