Jamie Reidy introduces a new recurring column, thanks to the intersection of two of his favorite things: dogs and snakes.
Christine Stapleton’s story in the Palm Beach Post on python-hunting dogs needs to be turned into a TV show, like, tomorrow.
After months of training, which included curbing the dogs’ instinct to swim and come very close to their targets, Jake and Ivey hit the Everglades in November 2010. With noses down and wagging tails the dogs found 19 pythons, most between 6 and 8 feet long and one pregnant with 19 eggs.
Turns out, the dogs were 2-1/2 times more likely to find a python and twice as fast as teams of 2-6 humans, who must rely only on their vision to find the well-camouflaged and very still snakes.
Only the freaking government and its “studying the idea” could slow down this no-brainer.
FYI: I’d do anything for a “Kong” filled with potato chips and cold beer.
Photo courtesy of ronniedankelman