Inquiry The Texas Herp Community

[TripleMoonsExotic]

Where was this show?

I'm sure someone familiar with the Texas show circuit can pinpoint what shows were in Texas 4 months ago and go from there if the quoted poster does not respond here on the BOI.

 

[Tim Cole]

I'm sure someone familiar with the Texas show circuit can pinpoint what shows were in Texas 4 months ago and go from there if the quoted poster does not respond here on the BOI.

I am quite familiar with them and there were several around that time period.

Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston all had shows around that time.

 

[Pink Lady Exotics]

This has been answered for me. The above is why I made the statement that I did, as it disgusts me to think he is still active without ANY consequences from anyone else in the community down there. Don't forget, I lived in Texas when we were stationed at Fort Hood. I have met quite a few of you at shows in Austin and Dallas, whether you remember or not. I knew quite a few others in the herp community while I was down there, and honestly based on those people, I can see how some would turn their cheek to someone like Wyatt continuing to sell snakes. Most of the people I met were very self-serving to say the least. BUT, that is my opinion. The fact that another person came forward with NO prompting or contact from me (I had no idea he even existed) and stated that Wyatt continued to vend at expos after multiple people came forward and exposed this virus, then was seen as recently as 4 months ago, really confirmed my feelings on the issue and prompted me to say what I did in regard to Ashley. The other things I mentioned in my PM may be hearsay to some, but based on the well-known and well-respected sources they come from, and the relation to the issue that was at hand at the time, they are more than valid enough for me to have the opinion that I do.

 

[Pink Lady Exotics]

Are the show promoters aware of this and who he is?

This was my entire point. Show promotors should be aware of EVERYONE they permit within their doors and expose to the public, even moreso when something as serious as a deadly virus is at risk, and especially when the person responsible for that virus is known to live and sell within that area. As if Damion Wyatt is going to come up to you and say, "Hey guys, I'm the dude that caused 5 other people to lose their collections to a horrific respiratory virus." No, he's going to hide it, be manipulative, and probably vend as a business name or as his wife's name to try to get around it. It is the show organizers' responsibility to do some research on everyone they permit to be a vendor, and verify that they are who they say they are, along with anyone else that vends with them at their booth (a partner, etc).

 

[JoeEllisReptiles]

Anyone have any contact info on Wyatt with TW International? He Scammed me out of a few grand a few years back. The Balls I sent him on loan are gone and he has yet to refund me any money for them. I am guess its a good thing I never got them back. Still sucks though.

Joe Ellis

 

[Pink Lady Exotics]

Joe, I will PM you. Been doing some research lately and contacting some people who know him, have what I think is his new address and phone number.

 

[JoeEllisReptiles]

Thank you. I would also like a list of who has any issues if possible as well.

Joe Ellis

 

[Pink Lady Exotics]

Jennifer Harrison -- Madison, WI -- Virus
Dr. Jason Brodnik, DVM -- Northglenn, CO -- Virus
Michael Ogburn -- Heathsville, VA -- Virus
Joe Ellis -- Virginia Beach, VA -- Stolen Animals

Any more discussion specifically related to transactions with Damion Wyatt should be in his thread, as this one is about the Texas herp community, but I would hold off as I will be starting a new one once I finish getting information from Roy, and you should bring it to that one.

However, the list of victims is something Texas show promotors and the Texas herp community need to be aware of, which is why I posted it here.

 

[Pink Lady Exotics]

Forgot two, added to the end.

Jennifer Harrison -- Madison, WI -- Virus
Dr. Jason Brodnik, DVM -- Northglenn, CO -- Virus
Michael Ogburn -- Heathsville, VA -- Virus
Joe Ellis -- Virginia Beach, VA -- Stolen Animals (through breeding loan)
Tim Bowles -- Unknown -- Virus
Matt Lehrer -- Florida -- Virus (purchased from Tim before it was known about him contracting the virus from Wyatt's animal)

 

[Tim Cole]

However, the list of victims is something Texas show promotors and the Texas herp community need to be aware of, which is why I posted it here.

I agree 100%. That's why I am involved with this thread.

But labeling the herpers and shows in Texas as people that do not care about the IBD virus is just wrong!

As anywhere else, you will find people that are concerned and those that are not. I know of other cases that have occurred in other states as well.

 

[Pink Lady Exotics]

Tim, this virus isn't IBD. It's a respiratory virus similar, if not related to, paramyxovirus.

The fact that Wyatt is apparently still involved in shows and still selling animals after everyone came forward about the virus, at least twice so far that we know about (based on Roy's post stating when he purchased his animals and when he saw him last), that leads me to believe that the herp community in Texas really could care less about anything but themselves. This issue was brought to almost the entire herp hobby's attention. It was all over MULTIPLE forums, all over the BOI, being discussed amongst multiple communities, and was even brought up on Reptile Radio. There is no possible way that every show promotor in Texas and every vendor in Texas could have been oblivious to it, especially since the source of the problem was right there in Dallas. If the Texas herp community WERE concerned, why would the show promotors have permitted him to vend? Why didn't anyone else at these shows bring it up and either have him removed or boycott their own attendance until he was removed? How can anyone that genuinely cares about reptiles and their own businesses/collections just stand by while a known virus dealer has his animals 20 feet across the room from them???

 

[JoeEllisReptiles]

Just to throw it out there. Eric (Can not remember his last name), Wyatt's Old Business Partner with TW Inernational, Told me that my snakes were more than likely dead. He told me that they only thing I should accept is money and to be glad I never got any snakes as it would have killed my snakes. He and Wyatt had split by that time so I was not given a whole lot of detail other than Eric thinking Wyatt is Scum. This was a few years ago. The snakes were sent on loan over 8 years ago. Wyatt spoke with me 3-4 years back and swore he would refund me money but nothing ever came. I have not heard from him ever since. I know Wyatt had a lot of money tied into his collection so I would guess he hid behind his virus as long as possible. I hope he gets what he deserves.

Joe Ellis

 

[KelliH]

I'm still waiting to hear what show Wyatt was at. I cannot help but wonder if that person was mistaken about Wyatt vending. I have not seen him at a show in years, as a vendor or spectator. I hope the person that made that claim posts here.

 

[KelliH]

Tim, this virus isn't IBD. It's a respiratory virus similar, if not related to, paramyxovirus.

The fact that Wyatt is apparently still involved in shows and still selling animals after everyone came forward about the virus, at least twice so far that we know about (based on Roy's post stating when he purchased his animals and when he saw him last), that leads me to believe that the herp community in Texas really could care less about anything but themselves. This issue was brought to almost the entire herp hobby's attention. It was all over MULTIPLE forums, all over the BOI, being discussed amongst multiple communities, and was even brought up on Reptile Radio. There is no possible way that every show promotor in Texas and every vendor in Texas could have been oblivious to it, especially since the source of the problem was right there in Dallas. If the Texas herp community WERE concerned, why would the show promotors have permitted him to vend? Why didn't anyone else at these shows bring it up and either have him removed or boycott their own attendance until he was removed? How can anyone that genuinely cares about reptiles and their own businesses/collections just stand by while a known virus dealer has his animals 20 feet across the room from them???

Jen, I'm telling you, I know Wyatt; I know what he looks like, and if he had been at any show I was at I would have brought it to the attention of the show promoters pronto. I strongly feel that the person that says they say Wyatt vending 4 months ago is mistaken.

 

[Pink Lady Exotics]

I have no idea. But the name was in my thread and when I asked him, he said that yes, he purchased from Damion Wyatt and that that is who he saw 4 months ago. He stated that he was not at the last one but should be at the one coming up. I have the PM's if I need to post them. We had a PM conversation going and I am waiting for him to find the business card and get me Wyatt's DBA name.

What about Kristen Wyatt? After the info came to light about the virus, he kept on selling snakes under his then-girlfriend's name (she is now his wife). Have you seen the name Kristen Wyatt anywhere?

 

[TripleMoonsExotic]

I strongly feel that the person that says they say Wyatt vending 4 months ago is mistaken.

What about 2 years ago when the same guy bought snakes at a show from Wyatt that subsequently died from the same respiratory virus? Per your words he hasn't attended a show in 6 years.

Has anyone pm'ed Roy and requested he post here or are we all assuming he's aware of the thread?

 

[Tim Cole]

What about 2 years ago when the same guy bought snakes at a show from Wyatt that subsequently died from the same respiratory virus? Per your words he hasn't attended a show in 6 years.

Has anyone pm'ed Roy and requested he post here or are we all assuming he's aware of the thread?

I did.

 

[KelliH]

I have no idea. But the name was in my thread and when I asked him, he said that yes, he purchased from Damion Wyatt and that that is who he saw 4 months ago. He stated that he was not at the last one but should be at the one coming up. I have the PM's if I need to post them. We had a PM conversation going and I am waiting for him to find the business card and get me Wyatt's DBA name.

What about Kristen Wyatt? After the info came to light about the virus, he kept on selling snakes under his then-girlfriend's name (she is now his wife). Have you seen the name Kristen Wyatt anywhere?

No, not that I can recall. I never met her so I would have no idea what she looks like.

 

[KelliH]

What about 2 years ago when the same guy bought snakes at a show from Wyatt that subsequently died from the same respiratory virus? Per your words he hasn't attended a show in 6 years.

Has anyone pm'ed Roy and requested he post here or are we all assuming he's aware of the thread?

I have not seen him at any show in years. The last time I recall seeing him was at one of the Bob Clark shows in Arlington at the convention center, which was prior to NARBC coming here in 07.

 

[KelliH]

What about 2 years ago when the same guy bought snakes at a show from Wyatt that subsequently died from the same respiratory virus? Per your words he hasn't attended a show in 6 years.

Has anyone pm'ed Roy and requested he post here or are we all assuming he's aware of the thread?

I made a post in the thread he posted in, asking him to please come here and post.