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W von Papineäu
at Wed Nov 15 12:13:24 2006 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by W von Papineäu ]
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WISH (Indianapolis, Indiana) 15 November 06 Confiscated Venomous Snakes Headed to Reptile Zoo (Marlee Ginter)
More than a dozen illegal poisonous snakes are on their way to a Kentucky zoo after being confiscated from a house on the city's east side.
The snakes were dangerous and one reptile expert said they were in the worst condition he's seen in a confiscation. He said malnutrition could make them weaker but abuse could make them more violent.
The investigation was prompted after the owner was bit by one of his snakes and hospitalized. Cobras, Vipers and rattle snakes were all caged and confiscated.
24-Hour News 8 first brought you the investigation that lead to 47-year-old Michael Fillenwarth arrested for housing 15 illegal poisonous snakes.
Jason Wooldridge had no idea they were next door. "I hope they don't get out period. Someone that has them should know what they're doing."
Reptile experts from Kentucky examined, took pictures and bagged up the venomous snakes noting most were mistreated. One even had broken ribs.
"With these animals they're in such bad condition I don't know if they could even cause a serious bite. It's like playing Russian roulette with a loaded gun, eventually something is going to go wrong," Jim Harrison with the Kentucky Reptile Zoo said.
They took in several species of rattle snakes and even a Gaboon viper that has cardio venom. Even survive the bite you could end up with permanent heart damage.
Fillenwarth didn't notify neighbors about the snakes and didn't get a permit. Both are required by law. News 8 checked and no one in Marion County has a permit.
"Not a single person in Marion County," conservation officer Angela Goldman said.
News 8 asked Goldman if there could be more like this.
"Absolutely. This is a perfect case of what is out there that we don't know about," Goldman said.
"Just in case they got out I want to be able to help or make sure my kids are inside or know what to look for," Wooldridge said.
Fillenwarth is out of jail, partly because of the medication he's on for his recent snake bite and because he's not believed to be a threat.
The snakes will remain at the Kentucky Reptile Zoo pending Fillenwarth's court date.
Confiscated Venomous Snakes Headed to Reptile Zoo
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IN Press: Snakes going to KY Reptile Zoo - W von Papineäu, Wed Nov 15 12:13:24 2006