Jim Shepard’s editorial in today’s Outdoor Wire concerns tomorrow’s Nonnative Pet Amnesty Day at Miami’s MetroZoo:

“Our main purpose is to give pet owners an alternative to releasing nonnative animals into the wild,” says Jenny Tinnell, FWC biologist. “It’s illegal to release a nonnative animal into the wild in Florida, and it could be detrimental for the animal and the environment.”

People can come to the zoo and surrender exotic pets they can no longer care for, free of charge, with no questions asked.

“A licensed veterinarian will examine all surrendered pats,” says Tinnell, “if they appear healthy, we’ll try to place them with willing qualified, adopters.”

I’ve posted on invasive species before, particularly iguanas and boas.

Every time I do, I get all sorts of commentary and email from iguana and boa owners who think I should be shot (literally) for suggesting that invasive species in Florida be hunted. They seem to have trouble getting their little minds around the idea that I’m not talking about family pets but feral animals that little-minded people have put into an environment where they aren’t welcome.

This “amnesty” program, which has a number of dates in a number of cities throughout Florida is great way for people to get rid of pets that they don’t want without doing more harm to the environment. Between this program and some generous hunting allowances, maybe the invasive animal situation could be brought back under control.

U.S. moves to ban imports of big snakes

Federal officials want to keep nine kinds of constrictor snakes out of the United States, saying they belong to invasive species that pose the single biggest threat to the nation’s environment.

“This is the story of the invasion of the snakes in the United States of America,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Wednesday, standing near a live python at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

He said the Burmese python and the other “alien snakes” are destroying some of the nation’s most treasured — and most fragile — ecosystems.

Maybe we need a snake hunting season.

Last month I noted this: Dog steps on shotgun left lying on ground and wounds two hunters in Perthshire, Scotland

Now Uncle notes this: San Carlos Park woman shot when dog knocks gun to floor

Just what are the dogs up to?

Yes, both incidents could have easily been prevented by proper firearms handling. But maybe that’s the new MO for the rebel dogs: wait until the humans leave them an opening.

But if the dogs are rising, then what about this: Pet Dog Fights Cougar to Save Boy

Are there two opposing dog factions? One loyal to humanity and one trying to overthrow it?

Kenya:

A lone elephant charged out of the brush as an American family was hiking near Mount Kenya and trampled to death a mother and the 1-year-old daughter she held in her arms, officials said Wednesday.

Four adults and the baby were walking with an unarmed guide just outside Mount Kenya National Park on Monday morning when the elephant charged, said Kenya Wildlife Service official Michael Kipkeu.

Apparently the guide was from their hotel and was not allowed to be armed.

Friend

Hero dog saves boy, 11, from cougar attack

A golden retriever named ‘Angel’ took on a pouncing cougar in British Columbia. A RCMP constable shot the cougar. Luckily, their office was nearby and he was able to respond very quickly.

“The dog and the cougar were all kind of tangled up as one unit,” he said. But he was able to see the big cat’s hindquarters and fired one shot, hoping to sever the animal’s spine.

When the cougar kept up its attack on Angel, Gravelle moved around to get in front of the cougar, which was less than 6 feet away.

“It was really dark out, and I was just trying to line up my shot as best I could. I could just see about two or three inches of the cougar’s head sticking out from behind Angel, and luckily I was able to get a good shot off,” Gravelle said.

Somehow, the dog managed to survive. She needed surgery, but it sounds like she’s going to be okay.

Dog steps on shotgun left lying on ground and wounds two hunters in Perthshire, Scotland