I though I would share this link with you. The response is from Humane Society of the United States regarding the dangers of having reptile in the classroom. I though some knowledgable person might want to reply.

http://www.thetimesherald.com/apps/p...1/1014/OPINION

OMG..how narrow minded are some people. The ratio of people getting sick from their herps is far less than the ratio of people getting sick from other people. Flu, colds and not to mention food poisoning from bad food, suppose they would want to blame that on herps to . That women needs a good reality check!

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Hello,

I decided to take some time and respond to the article. lol If they happen to forward any information back, I will post it. This is what I wrote:

Regarding Article: Having reptiles in classroom brings salmonella risk to kids.

I am disheartened to see such an article published. While it is true that most, if not all, reptiles carry Salmonella bacteria in their intestinal tract, the likelihood that a human will contract salmonella from a reptile is far less than the chance of them catching it from kitchen counters where food was prepared.

In order to catch salmonella from a reptile, the human needs to have some sort of contact with the reptiles feces and then INGEST it. Holding a reptile or keeping them as a pet does not dictate that the individual is going to receive the salmonella bacteria. In fact, reptile keeping in the classroom is a great opportunity to teach the children better hygiene and to help dismiss the myths surrounding harmless reptiles (non-venomous species).

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) estimates that 74,000 Salmonella infections occur annually in the United States that are directly or indirectly associated with the contact of reptiles. This is out of the estimated 1.4 million cases that the CDC reports. Of this 1.4 million, 30,000 are culture-confirmed cases reported to the CDC.

So using the basic principles of math, we now can safely say that 104,000 cases of the 1.4 estimated are accounted for. The remainder, 1,296,000 cases are food or airborne related.

Statistically, you have an %82.09 chance of catching salmonella in your kitchen or school cafeteria whereas you have a %17.91 chance of catching salmonella from contact either directly or indirectly with a reptile. The statistics for reptile infections can be cut in half if the person(s) are following proper hygiene after handling the reptile. (The other half remains unknown because of secondary causes such as indirect contact and uncleaned surfaces.)

To say that reptiles are unsafe to keep and shouldn't be kept as pets is ridiculous. By the standards of the author, dogs should not be allowed as household pets.

According to the CDC, man and woman's best friend bites more than 4.7 million people a year. Of those 4.7 million people bitten, 800,000 seek medical attention for dog bites; half of these are children. Almost two thirds of injuries among children ages four years and younger are to the head or neck region.

Statistically, it would be safer for your child to have a reptile in the home than it would for them to have a dog in the home. However, it is estimated that in the U.S, Americans own 55 million household dogs opposed to 7 million reptiles.

The answer isn't in removing the reptile, it is in educating the public. With safe handling, reptiles make wonderful pets. This is especially true for those affected with allergies that prevent them from keeping conventional pets (socially acceptable).

There is a vast array of reptiles in the pet trade industry that offer a great opportunity for learning. Many different species of lizard and snake require minimal care, reside in smaller enclosures, and are fed on intervals opposed to daily feedings. This makes them ideal household pets for those interested in them that have busy schedules. (It doesn't mean you should neglect your reptile. Every animal has specific requirements to thrive in captivity and every reptile you intend on keeping should be thoroughly researched prior to purchasing.)

The problem we find with reptiles is the misinformation on them. We only hear about reptiles in the news when there is something negative to say. We hear about neglect and bites that have occurred regarding reptiles but it seems it is always the reptiles fault and those truly responsible. Has any thought been put into the fact that the person handling the reptile was not equipped to do so? What about the iguanas being given away as "prizes" at fairs? The county holding the fair shouldn't be held accountable? Some counties haven't stopped a species of reptile that grows to exceed 5 feet (Green Iguanas) from being given away as "prizes"? Green iguanas account for more than half of all salmonella cases pertaining to reptiles in the U.S! It's the ignorance behind the myths that makes keeping reptiles unjustifiable in the publics eye. Humans fear what they don't know and thrive on what they do know. Even when what they do know is inaccurate.

I am a reptile enthusiasts, as well as an educator. I do what I can, when I can to help dispel myths and to help spread reptile awareness. I am one of many that does this at http://www.herpcenter.com. Reptiles are not the problem, the inadequate information given by pet stores is.

References:

http://www.cdc.gov
http://www.herpcenter.com

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i love it Rich! Ive been bitten 2 times by dogs and both times required stitches one antibiotics. How mnay times have my Chinese Water Dragon or Corns bitten me on purpose? ...huummm..lets see..NEVER! But I suppose they are gonna chase me around my room and try to eat me...they may think im a really big cricket...or an overgrown pink....maybe I look like a mealworm...they may chase the children around in the classroom and say ''let me poop on you! I want to give you salmonella! Cuz Im a reptile..and thats what I do!'' XD

Thanks Rich, if the article get published I'll post the link. I have found that the Humane society around here are extremists. They won't adopt animals to people with children, etc. Unfortunately they are only volunteers and they only know what they have been told to say in most cases. Our local humane society is all volunteer, to experts on board.

Rich,

Excellent article! Too bad the wrong people are printing the wrong messages! I just hope that the paper posts your response! GOOD JOB, I like it!

Steve

Cheers to Rich! That is awesome. Very professional, informative and true (to say the least). My son was bitten by a friend's dog only 1/2 inch from his eye. He could have been blinded for life!!! Dogs and cats not only can bite, but also carry infections that can potentially be spread to humans without proper hand washing. Pregnant women are instructed to not clean out a cat's litter box.....do you see the Humane Society or any newspaper writing an article that states cats are unsafe to keep as pets? I think not. Instead they tell people to take the necessary precautions. Makes sense...but would anyone think to do that when it comes to reptiles? No, lets just ban them instead. What ignorance in such an influential position. Now thousands of people will be thinking "just one more reason not to own any reptiles". How disheartening. I hope the newspaper is smart enough and openminded enough to pring your respons. If they really are "news worthy" they will. Keep us posted.
Angel

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Hard to notice, gleaming from the sky
When you're staring at the cracks
Hard to notice what is passing by
With eyes lowered

"The Leaving Song"- AFI

0.0.1 Mali Uromastyx (Spike)
1.2.0 Bearded Dragons (Hercules, Megora & Eeyore)
1.0.0 Bi-color Flame Point Himalayan (Koda)
1.2.0 Children (Dimitri, Mercedes, and Mariah)

Awesome response Rich!
That humane society must be uneducated.

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http://dragcave.net/user/manhirwen

Isn't this just grand. I haven't been on the network as much as normal lately as my meds have been leaving me irritated at every little thing. So what is the first thread I check this morning. I'll ignore (I doubt it) what I read from the Time Herald and think more of Rich's attempt at education. The sad part is that you can teach someone everything but you cannot make them learn anything.

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Fran
January 9, 1940 - June 1, 2006 (R.I.P)

Hello,

I honestly don't care if they print it or not. I just hope the right person reads it. All of the info I posted was printed on the CDC's website. Those are government figures.

I hope that whoever reads that article, if anyone, will be inclined to research my figures. At least THAT person will see that everything I wrote was accurate. That will be one less ignorant person over there!

I did ask for a response to my article, so hopefully they respond.

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