Pet store robbery and Daytona show

Tonight on Tampa local news Peg Vincent of Peg's exotic pet in Wesley Chapel Fl. blamed the Daytona reptile expo for her store burglary.She said that people commit pet store robberies to supply their tables tables at the show.She went on to say that she can I.D. each of her animals stolen and will be at the show looking for them.I am sorry for her loss but I do think that it gives her the right to say that venders at reptile shows of stealing to have animals to sell.This is my opinion, whats yours?

First off, I have already stated my sadness at the break-in of Pegs' store. However, if I am interpreting the text of your post correctly (as some of it makes no sense), it does NOT give her the right to go off half cocked. For several reasons. First, we do not need her adding more negative publicity to the reptile community. There is an overabundance as it is. Second, the Daytona Show is THE largest show there is. A person would have to be a real "cupcake" to sell stolen animals there. As almost everybody and their dog will be there. Which means it is a very public and very high profile setting. Most of these thieves, it would appear, prefer to move them behind the scenes. Next, why blame just the Daytona show? Why not any other show? And what makes her or her animals so special? Another point. Correct me if I'm wrong, but won't all vendors there try to make as big a showing and presentation as they can? Also, aren't most of the vendors that will be selling at Daytona more than just your average pet shop dealers? Aren't most of them some of the top breeders and dealers in the business? And isn't it true that most customers at a show of this caliber going to be shopping for far more than just your average pet shop fare? I don't know. I think Peg is out of line on this one. Put it this way. What is to stop her from seeing an animal and saying "Hey! That's MY animal. You stole it."? I am not trying to impugn her character. Merely offering a scenario. And what about the poor sucker being accused of possessing her "stolen" animal? It won't matter if he/she can prove legal ownership. That person will still have been accused of being a thief in front of everyone. Innocent or not.

Good points, John.

Dave, care to post your sources? I think that's important if you want this to stand up in the BOI. (Sorry if I was asleep when the train came through but I'm not "up" on this story.)

The notion that someone would steal a bunch of herps in Florida right before the Daytona show for the express purpose of fencing them there seems posetively ludicrous.  I think the entire CONCEPT of fencing stolen goods is to focus on goods that are not unique (and thus highly traceeable) and as well, to get rid of the goods on the black market - not at the single largest herp venue in the universe.

I'd like to see the "source" before I daw any conclusions about Peg and her possible over-reaction to being victimized, but I'd have to agree that on the surface it doesn't paint a pretty picture.

^Curtis Brown

The story and the interview was on tv at 10<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>0 pm tonight (8/7/02) on channel 13 news in Tampa .I do agree with you that her story does not hold water but that is what she said.I am sure that I was not the only person that seen it.

Peg might have been a little extreme in her comments (by singling out the Daytona show)...but, I think she was right on the mark! For all that don't know...LAST NIGHT....ANOTHER VERY WELL-KNOWN HERP SHOP in Tampa was burglarized BIG TIME, for A LOT of baby herps! The animals that were taken would only have been taken by somebody that either owned a store, or did a lot of shows! These burglaries always occur right before shows...I think she makes a very valid point! To steal that type of herp...you have to have a ready market...You're not going to steal 18 baby boas and just hang on to them to sell to your friends??
There is a group of people in the Tampa area that have hit almost every herp store in town at least once, already! One of these times, they are going to make a mistake and get caught....then, well...does fresh/killed ring a bell? ....Neil

Dave I don't think you fully understand what Peg was saying. She is really hurt by all of this. As a small store, it will take her some time to replace the items taken from her. And as you well know, a lot of these items will end up at one show or another, the problem for her will be to prove what is hers. And we all know how the cops feel about snakes! <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'> Now, Ray and I welcome the challenge of a thief trying to break into our place. One thing is for sure, the herp world will have a few less thieves to worry about.

I do understand what the break-in has done to her and how it will take her months to make up the loss.I just do like how she stated it as fact that the shows are the reasons behind the robberies.I do feel sorry for her and I do hope that she makes a quick recovery.

It seems like, if she honestly believed that her stolen reptiles were going to be at the show, on display, and that she could identify them, then she made a mistake posting it here. She may have ruined a chance to catch them. If it is true, I hope that they do not watch the news.

I don't know how remarkable she believes a half dozen baby boas to be, but in a room with several thousand there is no way that anyone could ID them. Evan Stahl

Neil,
Who's store in Tampa was burglarized last night?

Dennis Gulla

Evan....Therein lies the problem! Unless your snake (or lizard) has an obvious scar, birth defect, or has been micro-chipped (and have pictures to prove it)....it's impossible to tell one snake or lizard from another! This is why the cops don't bust their butts trying to find them. They've got to be caught IN THE ACT! Or, have a tape recorder that they CAN'T find! Nobody gets away with it forever! But, for now....you folks out there better take warning about what's been happening in the Tampa area! I'm sure there are those in YOUR area that have been following these antics and seeing that nobody is being caught....it's just a matter of time before they try to hit YOU! Lock it, alarm it, motion detector it, razor-wire it, guard dog it, do anything you have to to keep them OUT! Once they get in...it's all over...as the folks at the place that was hit the other night can well attest to! That's the real tragic part of this because those guys didn't have to get hit at all, if they had just alarmed everything after they saw what's been happening around here....it's really a shame, and it's about time we did something about this! What? I don't know! But, I'll sure listen! ....Neil


If someone can come up with a "micro-battery-powered micro-chip" that can be harmlessly inserted under the skin....they'd make a fortune! One that when your snake is stolen, you flip a switch, and your hand-held antennae goes, ...beep, beep, beep,....your snake's over there! I really don't see why that can't be done in this day and age!

Neil, I'm sure that what your are discribing (animal lo-jac sp?) is possible, however, think of the cost! It would probably cost a couple of hundred dollars per animal. Not possible, unless every animal your dealing with is over a $1000.

Dennis Gulla

Dennis...I'm SURE it will cost a couple of bucks the "first" time, because the hand-held unit will be where the money is...but, after that....how much is it to micro-chip an animal now? $35-50? How much extra do you think it would be with a one-year micro-battery in it? Not much more, I'm sure...and, it would be like computers...when they first came out, they were $thousands, now, they're like $700....same thing...I really think it can be done to where it would be cost effective for someone that has "more than one" valuable animal (for sale or not)....if nothing else...it would certainly give you peace of mind? ....Neil

I think that her blaming the show is absolutely ridiculous.  The show did not steal her snakes, a PERSON(s) did.  If these people are out there stealing snakes regularly from pet shops, something tells me they wouldn't have a table at Expo anyway.  I think that she is way off base here.  
For one, she just told the thieves where she would be looking for the snakes, so why in the heck would they try to be selling them there?  They know that someone will be on the lookout at the Expo.  
As far as her identifying the snakes...GOOD LUCK!!!  There will be thousands of baby boas there.  Are you just going to go to every table and say, "OH!  That is MY boa that was stolen!  Give it to me!"  I know for a fact I would have trouble remembering exactly what my snake looked like when faced with going through thousands at one time(unless there was something that really stood out like a scar or something).  And quite honestly, I highly doubt that ANY vendor is going to just let you pilfer through their animals to possibly find your missing ones, and then let you walk off with them when you think you found them.  And you can't just walk around Expo accusing random vendors of stealing snakes.  Unless you have proof(very doubtful), you will probably be ejected from the show rather quickly.  
It sucks that you were robbed, but how many animals WERE taken?  6 boas?!  You are going to defame the reputation of the largest reptile show in the world AND add more bad press about herp keepers(not only are we irresponsible, but now we are thieves as well, thanks!)over six boas?!  I know being robbed is horrible and I feel for you, but those are VERY easily replaced animals.  
And as far as stolen animals being sold at shows, I know it happens.  But it is mainly associated with the smaller shows in my experience.  Heck, I was a local show here where one vendor stole snakes off of another vendor's table, and put them on his table for sale the same day without even switching he price tags!  Talk about brass ones <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>   But I doubt that this kind of behavior is common at the larger shows like Daytona.

Animals of all kinds including snakes can be microchipped.  The chips won't help you locate the animal, but once you find it you can prove ownership.  All vets and most animal shelters/pounds have a scanner.  I believe the cost is less than $100 for the chip.  There was a story on the news this morning about a dog that was missing for 5 years, it was returned to it's owner because of the chip.

Blaming shows for theft is ridiculous.  Thieves cause theft, period.  When are the people in this industry going to realize that if they don't shut their stupid-a$$ mouths and quit giving the media fuel for the reptile banning fire, we are going to lose our rights to own these wonderful animals.  WAKE-UP people the only thing we want on the news is positive experiences involving reptiles.  And maybe if we're luckly, the person talking about the reptiles will have teeth, a shirt, and a hairstyle that doesn't involve the word "mullet."

I was going to say what Brian did - about there already being rice-pellet sized devices used to tag cats and dogs (and certainly other animals too...) They are some form of passive radio transmistter or such (like the anti-theft tags insicee CDs and DVDs) so they don't need batteries or anything. They are cheap in bulk, and while probably more expensive than a shotgun or alarm system I doubt you'd need your babies to be worth $1000.00 each to justify using it if you felt it might be worthwhile.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Blaming shows for theft is ridiculous.  Thieves cause theft, period.  When are the people in this industry going to realize that if they don't shut their stupid-a$$ mouths and quit giving the media fuel for the reptile banning fire, we are going to lose our rights to own these wonderful animals.  WAKE-UP people the only thing we want on the news is positive experiences involving reptiles.  And maybe if we're luckly, the person talking about the reptiles will have teeth, a shirt, and a hairstyle that doesn't involve the word "mullet."</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Ouch!  <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

oops - FYI my full name (for the above post) is

^Curtis Brown

Hi everyone,

As pertaining to the microchipping the herps , its easy and not
that expensive. Probably the formost supplier would be "Avidchip". You can got to www.avidchip.com to order the
following:

Bulk microchips (size of a grain of rice)-6.25 - 6.95 ea
Bulk syringe(SP?)(can be re-used)-7.50 ea
scanners from 200$-1025$ea
sign to put in your store window stating all animals are
microchipped - 21$.

Seems like a minimal investment considering what it could prevent or recover in reguards to theft.

Hope this helps
God Bless!!!
Ben Sparks
Christian Reptile Center
Tahlequah, OK <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

Further more I just wanted to add that I know it may seem
alot for the scanner but if a couple of shop owners all went in on it together and they all used the same chips it would probably save some $$. You will also be able to advertized said
animals as being microchipped which is a great bonus to some
buyers. With the scanner you just have to "wave"it over the
animal and check the ID# that comes up, if you needed to at
a show or something to locate stolen animals.

Anyway, thats my .02 cents
God Bless <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>
Ben Sparks

Okay I think everybody is missing the point.For the last 3 years there has been many places robbed.All around august.WE have all heard the stories-rumors-B.S about what happens at the shows with the stealing with customers-dealers.The reality of it all is the{BIG}Show is at the same time.That is what the story was all about.As for knowing which snakes are yours and are not well pictures and D.N.A can prove that so can scale clipping.Before everyone gets in an uproar I think we should all look at the source of this blaming topic.If I recall correctly the person who is throwing the blame for making reptile shows get a bad reputation is the one who makes headlines in the paper for stealing reptiles.{I know not guilty}