The business partners of the Tom Crutchfield Reptile Farm in Homestead, Florida had an argument that escalated to gun fire recently on the property of the now dead Bruce Stephenson.

Stephenson apparently opened fire first and then barricaded himself in a building on the property before being found dead by police.  The death is most likely going to be ruled a suicide.

Tom Crutchfield and Bruce Stephenson owned the reptile farm together and the Crutchfield family is mourning the loss of a friend.  They stated Stephenson was mentally ill and is seeking only support, no negativity. 

I give my regards to both families and hope the reptile farm doesn't have any more tragedies.

Photo © BayNews9.com

According to the American Pet Products Association's (APPA) National Pet Owners Survey, Americans have as pets (drumroll please):

• 151.1 million freshwater fish
• 8.61 million saltwater fish
• 16.2 million birds
• 16 million small animals
• 13 million reptiles

Including dog, cat and equine housholds, that's an all time high of 72.9 million households with pets!  Wow!

Right before Gov. Strickland left office he passed a temporary ban on many exotic pets in Ohio.  It was assumed that the new Gov. Kasich would pass the temporary order into a permanent ban when he took office.

Now the temporary ban is expiring and Kasich has confirmed he will not renew the ban.  Does this mean he is thinking about a different type of bill on exotic pets or is he doing away with all exotic pet legislation for now? 

I think a new bill should be created.  I don't think an outright ban on specific animals will do any good, plus it seems a little unconstitutional.  Instead, what about something like the state of New Jersey has?  You can own "dangerous" exotic pets if you prove you can care for them properly and other factors.  All animals can be dangerous (just think about the number of dog and cat bites each year) but there are some people out there that do care for their "dangerous" exotic pets better than many zoos do. 

I know this is a touchy subject.  And I still think the best place for a tiger is the wild, but who am I to tell you you can't care for your tiger just as well as someone cares for their terrier or clownfish?  There are wonderful facilities out there that do just this.  And on the otherhand, there are plenty of places that don't even provide proper nutrition, much less appropriate housing.  So why not regulate it for the public's safety while still allowing people who can properly care for these animals the right to own what they want?

Just a thought...

Scotland is used to unusual sightings with Loch Ness and all, but residents of Edinburgh were probably a bit surprised to see a ferret take the train.

The ferret apparently boarded the train in London, England and took it about 400 miles north to Edinburgh, Scotland where he was found without a ticket and without an owner.

An animal shelter is calling him Mickey and is searching for his owner.