Every year, from July 10 to July 19, a hunting contest in Florida takes place where participants are encouraged to trap and stab pythons in the head with a screwdriver. These Burmese pythons, which are the descendants of abandoned pets, are treated with shocking cruelty. Is this what we stand for? To promote indiscriminate animal killing under the guise of a competition?  And for some bizarre reason, this brutality is being considered “humane”.   ​

No reasonable person would think whacking an animal in the head with a heavy object, then stabbing them in the head with a screwdriver, is humane. This event promotes cruelty, especially to military veterans and children who will be traumatized by this barbaric contest.

This barbaric event measures participants' success by how many snakes they can kill and who captures the longest one. It is an utter disregard for the lives of these creatures, who are part of the ecosystem not by choice but due to human negligence. No animal deserves to be a target of such violence, especially not in the name of sport.

Instead of inhumane killing methods, a humane solution should be implemented. We urge lawmakers and wildlife authorities to promote the spaying and neutering of these pythons instead. This approach would effectively control the population without resorting to cruelty.

Reports from several wildlife advocacy organizations emphasize the cruelty of the current methods and support humane alternatives. By embracing more compassionate measures, Florida can set a precedent for humane wildlife management while still addressing the ecological concerns surrounding Burmese pythons.

We cannot, in good conscience, stand by while innocent animals are slaughtered in such a brutal manner. I implore you to voice your opposition to this cruel practice. Sign this petition and demand an end to the python hunting contest. Let's advocate for a compassionate and effective solution that aligns with our values as a society.