I'm not real fond of PETA, but I do think decapitating them is a bit much

 http://www.pythonchallenge.org/  (Yeah, .org)

You will be disqualified from the competition if you harvest and turn in: 1) a snake not from one of these WMA locations; 2) a native Florida snake; 3) one originally possessed as a pet...
Of course Floridians would kill their pets!

Let's see what the organizers say about using the decapitation method:

Decapitating the python. Although not the recommended method of euthanizing pythons, cranial concussion (stunning) followed by decapitation is considered an acceptable method of euthanizing large snakes by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Use a machete or other appropriately sharp tool. The tool selected should be capable of decapitating the snake as efficiently as possible. If you choose this method, you must quickly follow up by destroying the brain with the use of a firearm, captive bolt or other effective method.  (emphasis mine)

In other words, if you follow the rules, PETA's arguments are invalid.

"We're quite concerned that any concern for the snakes' pain and suffering is likely to go without notice or consequence."

Right, because they're snakes.

Kettler said, reptile biologists say, snakes can feel pain for up to an hour after decapitation because of their slow metabolism.

This may be the stupidest thing I will read today.  Apparently someone noticed that the bodies continue moving after decapitation (due to nerve action) and decided that...um...the head across the room must be feeling pain because of that.

Besides, as SnarfVader noted, if you follow the rules, PETA's complaining is meaningless.

Would it be more humane to kill them by shoving them up Ingrid Newkirk's ass?

Reminds me of a story I got greenlit years ago.  A guy in one of the Florida Key islands was like the only guy licensed to trap and kill the iguanas that had infested the island.  His method of killing them was to freeze them.  They would fall asleep and die, which he believed to be safer and more humane than using poisons.

Some misguided but probably well-intentioned locals raised a huge stink about him freezing them to death.  He had to abandon the practice and start using poisons.

For what it's worth, my headline was:  ♪♫♪ And you should never but i-guaaan-as, in the refri-her-ator, no no no! ♪♫♪

I'll see if I can dig up the link.  This was years ago.

Save the head for me Clark!

Don't they know the best way to kill a snake is to chop off its tail?

In an odd way, ruthlessly killing an invasive species is ethical treatment of animals.

PETA wants decapitation ban in Florida snake-hunting contest, because it's so much safer FARK-worthy for Floridians to be using firearms.

I think I've discovered PETA's cunning plan.

off with their 'eads
said the queen

Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes.

I've hunted snakes (water moccasins) with a 12 guage shotgun. A head shot instantly decapitates them.

Magruda: Don't they know the best way to kill a snake is to chop off its tail?

You fool! They'll only divide in two and then you've got double trouble!

I like where this is going.

HotWingConspiracy: In an odd way, ruthlessly killing an invasive species is ethical treatment of animals.

Yeah, but you don't want to get too ethical, that's unethical.

I'm tired of these motherfarking hillbillies in my motherfarking Everglades!

Lionel Mandrake: Would it be more humane to kill them by shoving them up Ingrid Newkirk's ass?

That's the best idea I've heard all day.

dahmers love zombie: Kettler said, reptile biologists say, snakes can feel pain for up to an hour after decapitation because of their slow metabolism.

This may be the stupidest thing I will read today.  Apparently someone noticed that the bodies continue moving after decapitation (due to nerve action) and decided that...um...the head across the room must be feeling pain because of that.

Besides, as SnarfVader noted, if you follow the rules, PETA's complaining is meaningless.

What SnarfVader pointed out was essentially based on the ludicrousness of the situation you described. You decapitate the snake, then kill the brain (is is a zombie snake?) - the body still twitches, but now, since the brain has been both detached AND destroyed, little Jake doesn't feel pain anymore?

Hey ya'll, Please don't squeeze the charmin'

I usually find the 'reality' shows on History / Discovery / TLC to be completely stupid, ridiculous, and bereft of any redeeming value. "Honey Boo Boo" is occasionally watchable in small doses for the sheer train-wreck value. It's like the Jerry Springer show with recurring characters.

But damn it, if someone doesn't follow these rednecks around with a camera I will be sorely disappointed. Particularly the ones who decide 'fark PETA. I'm ONLY going to hunt with a machete!"

I prefer the Bond method.

They should genetically modify the pythons to have poison glands and fangs to make things more sporting.

You want to talk to me about my snake???

What do you think a snake would do to you if you gave it a machete?

Its us or them.

SnarfVader: Let's see what the organizers say about using the decapitation method:

Decapitating the python. Although not the recommended method of euthanizing pythons, cranial concussion (stunning) followed by decapitation is considered an acceptable method of euthanizing large snakes by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Use a machete or other appropriately sharp tool. The tool selected should be capable of decapitating the snake as efficiently as possible. If you choose this method, you must quickly follow up by destroying the brain with the use of a firearm, captive bolt or other effective method.  (emphasis mine)

In other words, if you follow the rules, PETA's arguments are invalid.

If they are following the rules why are they cutting the head off to start with? Wouldn't it be quicker to just destroy the brain?

The only comfort felt by a 'humane' snake death is in people that think that all animals are puppies.

They aren't. Snakes have a lizard brain - meaning, they have little more than instinct. They can be conditioned, but not bonded with. If you cut their heads off the brain-side will wonder why it can't move when it tries to move its body for a couple minutes before the nerves fail. They don't 'think' in the same way as mammals, much less humans.

Is it an assault machete or just a plain hunting machete?

/obligatory

Maybe a snake charmer can help.

20 bucks they will kill more local snakes than pythons.

As a default setting, my mind has been programmed to translate all PETA threads into Peta threads.

HotWingConspiracy: In an odd way, ruthlessly killing an invasive species is ethical treatment of animals.

To be fair, PETA doesn't give one flying fark about ethical treatment of animals. Just look at how many of the animals they "rescue" end up euthanized.. They care about publicity.

SnarfVader: captive bolt

Like this?

Here's how they take care of unwanted snakes in Bloom County.

The point is that with their slow metabolism a snakes severed head may feel pain for an hour.

The hunt guidelines specifically spell out how to use a blade to destroy the brain and put it out of it's misery.

I imagine a shotgun blast to the head would work too.

/ Blam
// If snakes are banned, only outlaws will have snakes

Dear Peta,

Your shenanigans and outright jackassery though the years
renders your arguments and statements on 'behalf' of the animals
completely invalid.
 Your people have supported firebombings, assaults on scientists trying to save lives (without any proof of animal cruelty) and releasing creatures that do not belong in the area/ will die in the temperate zone.
You have deliberately ended the lives of thousands of dogs and other animals when people would not adopt them.
 Nothing you say is ever going to make sense to rational people.
Please continue to attract the college crowd, and rich pepole who have lost track of reality.
It makes them much easier to pick out.
Oh, please continue using female nudity to do whatever it is you are trying to do.
Just keep them attractive, if you try using a nude  Ingrid Newkirk...
We will turn the entirety of Norfolk into a crater
just to make sure

Sincerily,
 everyone

Because Politics??

Glancing Blow: assault machete



Old joke.

"We'll break their backs
Gouge out their eyes
Their evil hearts we'll pulverize"

Are they going to next ask me to calmly talk to the wolf spider, that my wife is screaming about, and convince it to leave my house, instead of going "stoopid bug, you go squish now!" Or are spiders something PETA does not anthropomorphize?

Phase 1: Get car with large subwoofers
Phase 2: Play Barry White
Phase 3: ????
Phase 4: Profit!

/simpsons did it

It's kind of a shame that they have to kill pythons, which are pretty cool animals, but they are a invasive species that are wreaking the Everglades. So I say go for it. Stupid PETA doesn't even know basic ecology.

PROVE IT!

Unless they're convincing naive young women to take their clothes off there's no reason to pay attention to PETA.

Too bad Barry White isn't still with us. He could use his low frequencies to bring them to a nice safe sexy place.