Jerry, we finally got the answer to the one single question Kevin Smith would not answer. :
"Kevin, Again I put to you....
DO YOU, or HAVE YOU PERFORMED YOUR OWN VENOMOID SURGERIES?"
Guys, I am not trying to re-start a bunch of B.S. with this, rather just providing the answer to the question so many have asked, but were ignored by Kevin.
Here is a set of e-mails that should answer this question. It kind of helps to start at the first e-mail which is at the bottom, and work your way in the propper sequence. Notice how it sounds like Kevin hired a P.R. guy?:
"Yeah...I was glad to hear he has gotten better...he actually got a lot of experience from roadkill! He collected up snakes that died from street casualties, of various species, and hacked away at them in order to learn more about them and their workings. His mortality rate now is very low, and only about 1-2% at most die after the surgury from related complications...pretty good for snakes which are now always CB or well aclaimated for captivity.
Kevin has learned a lot from Rich, who has also gotten a lot better! I know 2 men who are vets in NY (licensed vets) as well, and they are amazingly good with the procedure...they do just as well as hots if not better!
Also, I got the photos from Rick...thanks a ton!
We will be doing business in the future, as I am thrilled by your service!
Take it easy,
Steve Clark"
On Fri, 9 Apr 2004 4:36am, Ray Hunter wrote:
>You will need to get with Ricky for the pics. I will forward a copy of this
to him for you. The rest of your last e-mail sounds like a paid political
advertisement for Kevin's shady venomoid practice to me, but for the sake of
the poor animals, I hope the procedure went as well as he claimed. From all
I have heard, that is certainly a first for him. If he really is getting
better at this, perhaps he should quit the Burger Bin, and become a real
vet, if for no other reason, than to make what he does legal. I will be
happy to share your last e-mail with the rest of the concerned herping
community, so they will not be as hostile towards him about his practice. It
is good to know that he has finally incorporated the use of pain meds and
antibiotics in his work (presumably obtained legally).
Please Call 772-215-7625 if I can help you, or answer any questions you
have.
Be Blessed!
Ray Hunter
(772) 215-7625
----- Original Message ----- From: <turtsandtorts@aol.com>
To: <rayhunter@bellsouth.net>
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2004 6:16 PM
Subject: Re: Please reply...my other email is down..msg from Steve Clark
Please send me the pix of the rhinos again...can't find them! We had a
problem where I didn't have an airbill and they sat in the airport for 2
days, but Kevin said they are all fine and eating rat pups already. He said
he had bad transactions with you guys in the past, but he said he doesn't
know if it was an isolated issue, as these snakes are "bangin" in quality
and health. I'll have them back as venomoids saturday, they handled surgury
well and are all feeding again! Damn good procedure when 12 of 12 survive
flawlessly! I just need to keep them on their antibiotics (gotta keep them
clean and uninfected) and they will be fine! Ironically I just had my
wisdom teeth removed...I would imagine the pain and recovery is
similar...not bad! The little rhinos got better pain killers than me
though! They get lidocaine hcl, and I got tylenol!
Steve
On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 12:11am, Ray Hunter wrote:
>Steve, I can not get through on that number either. You need to call me
before we ship. Ricky got the money, but we need to talk to you before we
ship. I am pasting a copy of the last e-mail I sent to your other e-mail
address.
>
>
>Steve, I have left you numerous phone messages, and sent you several
e-mails in reference to your order for rhino vipers from Ricky Duffield at
Exotic Reptiles Jungle. All of my efforts over the past three days have gone
unanswered by you. I spoke with Ricky today, and he is willing to go through
with the shipment to Smith in OR, but there will be no 'arrive alive'
guarantee if the animals are shipped to Mr. Smith. I have already outlined
the reason for this on one of the many messages I left on your answering
machine. If you opt to have the snake sent directly to you in PA, then we
will resume our guarantee, at which time you can forward them to Smith if
you chose, but at your own risk, and not ours. Mr. Smith has a reputation
(with many shippers, not just us) of questionable claims of DOA's, so I will
not ship any animals to him. I also have a problem with his qualifications
(or lack of) to legally and properly perform venomoid surgery on venomous
snakes. I think that Ricky was unaware of your intentions to have the snakes
you purchased shipped to Kevin Smith until after you sent your payment, so
he is willing to ship, but there will be no live arrival guarantee if the
animals are shipped to Kevin Smith. >Please Call 772-215-7625 if I can help
you, or answer any questions you have.
>
>Be Blessed!
>Ray Hunter
>(772) 215-7625 >
>Please Call 772-215-7625 if I can help you, or answer any questions you
have.
>
>Be Blessed!
>Ray Hunter
>(772) 215-7625 >
>
>
>
>
>
> >----- Original Message ----- >From:
TurtsAndTorts@aol.com >To:
Sales@exoticsrus.com >Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2004 11:09 PM
>Subject: Please reply...my other email is down..msg from Steve Clark
>
>Ehh! I just wanted to check in and see if you got my money order for the
Rhino vipers yet...my other email is dead as it is built into my cell phone
which also is dead...I wont have a replacement for nearly 2 weeks, so if you
can contact me this email is fine, or you may call. My home phone number is
610 375 4297. I just need to know the airbill number and everything as well
as when to expect what to arrive so I can warn Kevin to keep an eye open for
the snakes to arrive.
>
>
>thanks
>
>Steve Clark
>TurtsAndTorts Captive Bred Exotics
>TurtsAndTorts@aol.com