Florida's Python Problem Slithered It's Way To Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - WPBF.com

Florida's python problem took center stage Friday in Washington D.C.

U.S Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla. and Kendrick Meek addressed the issue during a Judiciary Subcommittee meeting on Capitol Hill. They even showed off the skin of a Burmese python at the meeting.

Members of the South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission testified to have constrictor and python snakes listed as injurious animals.

This summer one of the snakes, kept as a pet, killed a Central Florida toddler. Lawmakers are trying to keep the reptiles out of the sunshine state and the rest of the country by banning them altogether.

"We've had situations with pythons in backyards attacking cats and dogs. It's something we have to deal with," said U.S Rep. Kendrick Meek D-Fla.

Burmese pythons are not native to Florida, but it's believed over 100,000 of them live in the Everglades.

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