Is it legal for someone to kill my python if it gets out?

Question

My python escaped and he may be in slithering around my neighborhood. Is it legal for someone to kill him on the street? Even if he's not on their property?

Answer 1

Sorry dude, but if you are going to own a pet such as a python, you need to be more responsible. If it came anywhere near somebodies smaller family members or pets I wouldn't care if they killed it... just like a lion or some other large predator.

Answer 2

Well, I can't answer the legal part. But, I don't think you could hold them accountable. You didn't want your snake out of the house. Therefore, you obviously made a mistake and either allowed him to escape or didn't take the necessary precautions to keep it from happening. Now, if I saw the snake near enough to me and I had something available to kill it with, I would probably do so long before I ever considered that it might have been a pet. So, I may have had an emotional reaction that ultimately led to your snake's downfall. Call it a mistake, if you will. Mine was made under what, to me, would have been a reasonably stressful situation, while yours was simply negligence or carelessness. So, I don't think it would be fair to charge me in the accidental death of your snake.

Answer 3

I don't know about it being on the street, but if it is on their property, I think they can kill it. Is it a reticulated or ball python? If it is a retic, I'd shut the door to its room. That could hurt people, especially dogs and babies. I only own a corn snake, I'd never get a retic. Ball pythons are cool, though!



EDIT: A python, unless it is a huge or reticulated python, is not dangerous. The are nonvenomous and are generally small and docile. Retics and carpet/rock pythons aren't friendly, and should not be approached. Ball pythons are friendly and won't bite. They are NOT dangerous, as everyone here seems to think.

Answer 4

Yes it is legal if they kill it only if it is is a threat or doing something to threat or harm a person. But if it is loose i suggest calling the police and telling them that your python is loose and they might help.

Answer 5

Absolutely. A python is a dangerous animal, and can be killed by anyone who sees it.



If and when it's found, you can also expect that you may have to face charges for release of a dangerous animal.

Answer 6

I'm sure that it's legal if they feel as though they may be in some sort of danger..



If I were you I'd put up some signs around your neighborhood so that people won't think that it's wild..

Answer 7

is it legal but other than the weirdos I think most people would run from it if it was not on their property



o and you should really check around and in your house for it cuz it may not have even left.....it may be waiting for the right time the eat YOU

Answer 8

Only if it becomes threatning. you can't just kill someones dog because its loose, the same with a snake wether wild or domestic. you didn't mention what type of python you have. I would get moving on finding it

Answer 9

Yes it'd be legal.. They'd be doing the neighborhood a service and i'd thank them.

Answer 10

yes if it is on someone elses property cause those thing can kill people

Answer 11

If your python is eying my dog he's a dead snake.

Answer 12

yes it is legal, if they consider it a threat.

Answer 13

only if it is for defense