Three years after Florida wildlife officers mistakenly killed a pregnant pet boa constrictor named Big Shirl, the snake’s owner is still in court, pressing for a payout. The long-running dispute, centered on a 2023 euthanasia operation and the state’s authority over “prohibited” species, has kept a spotlight on how the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission handles captive animals.
According to The Palm Beach Post, the owner is seeking restitution for Big Shirl, and the lawsuit is still active three years after the April 2023 operation. Court filings describe the loss as both emotional and economic and drag the controversy back into the legal arena after intense public reaction to the original video.
How Big Shirl Was Killed
On April 6, 2023, FWC officers entered a Sunrise warehouse to euthanize dozens of pythons the agency said were being kept illegally. Video from the scene shows officers using a bolt gun on the snakes. As reported by Newsweek, in the process they also killed a legally owned boa named Big Shirl by mistake. A necropsy later revealed she was pregnant with 32 babies. Owners and advocates say those unborn snakes represented significant monetary value, and the graphic footage and audio from the raid triggered widespread criticism.
FWC's Account and Investigation
The FWC has said officers were called in to euthanize pythons at the facility and that the agency is reviewing what unfolded. Agency officials told reporters they were gathering records to provide a complete account, according to WSVN. The commission has also stated that some animals at the site had been relinquished to FWC and that its Division of Law Enforcement is still sorting out the details. Many breeders and keepers say that explanation falls short and argue the raid exposed serious problems in how the agency identifies and handles captive reptiles.
Legal Backdrop
Big Shirl’s death unfolded against a broader legal battle over FWC’s power to ban and, when it deems necessary, euthanize prohibited species. The United States Association of Reptile Keepers has challenged the commission’s rules in court, and a 2025 appellate decision upheld portions of those regulations, according to Justia. At the same time, USARK Florida and breeders have pushed for investigations and policy changes, labeling the April 2023 killings unacceptable and calling for tighter oversight, per USARK Florida.
The owner’s restitution claim now serves as a test case for bigger questions: Will courts allow compensation for animals destroyed during a state operation, and could any ruling reshape how FWC enforces its prohibited-species rules? For many in the reptile community, Big Shirl’s death is still a rallying cry in an ongoing fight over regulation, animal welfare and government power.
