What's Wrong With People?

In an earlier post, I talked about the man who abused his dog, China, only to get her back in the long run. I wondered for a long time what was wrong with him and the judge because I think both are crazy. Then, just as a thought that I had heard the height of insanity, I read a story Friday that made me nauseous.

Scott Braunstein, operator of House of Reptiles in my great state of Kentucky, traveled around to schools and festivals with his many reptiles. He did this in hopes of educating people about them. Let's face it--reptiles have a bad reputation all around, so he was trying to make people see that they aren't all that bad. One of the "stars" of his show was Popcorn--a two year old, ten foot long albino Burmese Python. The snake was calm, loved attention, and usually was content laying in the sun at festivals and enjoying the attention.

Last Sunday, all that changed.

Braunstein was sitting in the petting zoo area while Popcorn lounged in the sun. People walked by and pointed and laughed about this huge animal just lying there. Then a boy wandered into the petting zoo area and stood next to Popcorn. He proceeded to tell Braunstein that he hated snakes. Braunstein told the boy that that was okay (since he was used to that kind of thing). He asked the boy just to leave the snake be because it wasn't bothering anyone.

Instead, the boy lifted his foot and brought it down on the python's head.

Popcorn went into convulsions. As Braunstein tended to his python, the boy's father appeared, grabbed him, said "This is why I can't take you anywhere," and rushed off through the crowd. He didn't apologize, ask if there was anything he could do...nothing.

Popcorn later died because the blow severed his head from his spinal cord.

I can't believe the boy took such drastic actions just because he doesn't like snakes. Honestly, I hate spiders, but I'm not going to do to the insect house at the zoo and try to kill them all. I just stay away. I also want to know how the father could have just grabbed the kid and walked away. He has taught his son nothing except how to get away when you commit a crime.

Braunstein is hoping that someone saw the pair and turn them in, but it hasn't happened yet. He also plans to try to use this tragedy as an educational opportunity for the future.

So, the snake stomping boy and his father have been added to my list of people who make no sense to me whatsoever. How people can harm other living things like that is a mystery to me...and how people can watch it happen and say nothing is a greater mystery.