I agree with Deb and Jen, hence why I posted that picture of her and the one of her and her friends. That's what she looks like so anyone not wishing to add to a problem can refuse a sale to her.
Yes, I did post pictures of her friends. So many people say they are innocent parties in all this, but both of the people pictured hang out with her and her animals often enough to warrant concern. Both of them have come here to defend Ashley, although much of that was irrelevant to the issue of IBD. Those people might try to sell or acquire animals for her. We don't know for sure, but it is better to err on the side of caution.
This isn't just about the TX Reptile community, this is about the reptile community as a whole. The people that choose to shove this under the rug and pretend it doesn't exist or call efforts to thwart this type of behavior "impossible" add a little to the problem. Collectively, it is very damaging. This is OUR hobby and if we as a community want to reduce the spread of infectious diseases and the scammers and the liars we MUST be proactive and we must speak out.
I believe that if Ashley truly cared about the animals in her possession she would be here every step of the way defending the animals themselves, even if she knows she is in the wrong. People will defend what they love; they don't try and grasp for straws behind closed doors while the people like us wonder and publicly speculate what she is really up to.
Well said. It was all about attention. If she'd have cared about the snakes, NONE of this would have been an issue, because she'd have taken care of them the best way she knew how and protected other animals.
I just want to add:
Whether her friends like it or not, they are a part of this mess, just like Elizabeth, Rachel, Kyle & Yvonne. Ashley's actions have drug a LOT of people's collections into a potential problem.
Her friends involved themselves in this by obtaining snakes from Ashley, or putting themselves in close contact with her collection repeatedly.
Elizabeth & Rachel have taken precautions and steps to protect their existing collections, and test any who have been exposed.
While Yvonne has not come here publicly to state what she's doing to protect her snakes, she has been in contact with others regarding her plans, and appears to be pursuing testing as well.
Kyle has intentions to get his snakes tested, and not breed/sell any of the snakes until more is known.
Unfortunately there are still others who have stated this is not a serious matter, and continue to put their collections at risk regardless of the potential.
IMO until their collections are also cleared of the mess Ashley has brought to theirs and other people' collections, their collections should be considered a potential risk as well. I certainly wouldn't buy anything from them.
In any case, Ashley has affected a LOT of people with her negligence and irresponsibility. That alone should be cause enough for individuals to keep an eye out for her and her friends.
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