Reader comments
When 'hoses' look and slither like snakes ...

Let's hope they triple check for snakes BEFORE they send her the new machine.

I'm sorry, Gaye, but I had my first laugh of the day over this story. Hope you don't mind.

I feel for you - it's not snakes for me - it's mice!!!

I hate it when I read that some dolt has several snakes in his house and thinks this is his right.

I often read about snakes who escape from such houses and kill pets. What about the possiblity of killing babies who are outside under a tree in a baby chair.

One man who had snakes said, "it is my right to have snakes if I want. I am careful not to let them out, but if they do it is parents who are responsible to protect their children". What a bunch of cocimanie.

Are you insane? Provide examples of escaped pet snakes killing somebody's pets. And I've never heard of a baby being killed either. Why aren't you criticizing "dolts" who think it's their right to have dogs? How many pet have dogs killed? Personally, I've had 30+ rabbits and 10+ pheasants killed by dogs. My uncle had a whole bunch of lambs killed by dogs. There are a lot more examples of dogs killing babies or attacking people than any other pet. Again, find at least one real snake example. Your ophidiophobia is not logical. And I don't know what "cocimanie" is.

I have heard of a snake crawling into a baby's crib and killing the baby. I have heard of a pet snake killing a young boy who had it as a pet. Snakes are dangerous animals who never learn to love their owners. I wouldn't have one in my house.

Dear Un Responsible Neighbors...

The word is "Irresponsible," not unresponsible. As someone who keeps snakes as pets, I am fully within my rights to have non-venomous species of snakes in my home. And I am very responsible. My snakes are small, non-aggresssive, clean and completely harmless. Even if they were to escape, they pose no threat to children or pets. Snakes are quiet, low-maintenance pets, and are fascinating animals to observe and learn about. People with irrational phobias of any kind should consider moving beyond them. As far as snake go, just think of them as scaly kittens without paws!

Headline: Someone is afraid of snakes. Great. I'm sure there is some NEWS that could be reported here instead.

I once had a snake in my house as a kid. It didn't learn to love me. Somehow I was able to put the shattered pieces of my life back together.

The dingo took my baby! There are far more dangerous snakes in the wild in Utah, then the non-venemous snake found in this box. Stop whining and hopefully Gaye gets a nice settlement from the company.

I also had a snake as a kid. Black Rat Snakes are very common all throughout the east. If you ever spend any significant time east of the Mississippi, chances are, you're going to see one. And chances are, it's not going to kill you or your dog or your cat. I have let my 17 month old son hold a 6 foot python (I helped him hold it, of course) and I'd do it again. My kids, pets, whatever, have a much higher chance of dying every time I strap them into the car than they do by encountering a snake, even if that snake is a Rattlesnake. I personally have seen more Rattlers than I care to count, and I have never had any problems. On the other hand, I've been in three car wrecks. There are many more dangerous things out there than snakes. If people need to get rid of their pet snakes, they should get rid of anything else potentially dangerous too. Cars included. And just to make sure we stay really safe, we should wrap ourselves in bubble wrap!

Dancer...same goes for me with mice. Live ones, dead ones, plastic ones...doesn't matter.

It is a phobia times 3!!

Snakes, now are ok. I can outrun them!

This story made me laugh. Thanks. My empathy with Gaye.

I admit I am a bit nervous about snakes. However, I agree with Bob. I once was running on a road in the mountains above my home. As I was running I noticed a stick in the road ahead. It turns out the "stick" was a rattlesnake slipping down the road towards me. By the time I was close enough to determine what it was, I was right next to it. Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to keep going. That snake just went his way and I went mine. He didn't even say, "How do you do?" Just went on by minding his own business. It was really cool, but I was jumpy about sticks and hoses in the road for a while after that.

"Hurst said the company has agreed to send her a new machine."

Why? I seriously doubt if the snakes used the machine.