A California father has sparked controversy by allowing his three young children to handle deadly snakes and large lizards, including a 19-foot python capable of eating a child. Eric LeBlanc, 43, a reptile shop owner from Anaheim, insists his children are safe under his supervision.
Mr LeBlanc's children—Erica, three, Larry, four, and Katie, seven—regularly play with Shelby, a 19-foot lavender reticulated python. Although non-venomous, the snake has large teeth and can constrict prey. Mr LeBlanc described Shelby as 'placid' and 'safe', but acknowledged the danger: 'Obviously the bigger the snake the bigger the teeth, so it's dangerous.'
The family shares their home with dozens of reptiles, including Komodo dragons, after Mr LeBlanc's store burned down. Despite his four-year-old son being bitten, Mr LeBlanc remains undeterred. 'My kids have been bitten by pythons and dragons but they're always fine,' he said. He emphasised that he always supervises and has taught the children to recognise when an animal is agitated.
Katie, seven, defended the practice, saying the snakes are 'really nice' and that one must be relaxed and show no harm. Critics, however, have expressed outrage over the apparent recklessness of exposing young children to such dangerous animals.
