KRIS (Corpus Christi, Texas) 30 November 07 Seized Snakes Die, Disappear in City's Care (Erin Cargile)
When the city carted off 14 snakes and three lizards from Jeremiah Fjeld's Southside home two weeks ago, he thought he would, eventually, get 14 snakes and three lizards back.
A week ago, a judge ordered a 12-foot reticulated python, a nine foot Burmeses python and slithers of 17 other reptiles be relocated to live with Fjeld's friend in Aransas Pass. The two longest snakes were illegal to house in the city limits.
The snakes have not been moved the friend's house. The city still has them-well, most of them.
Two snakes died while in the city's care. Another has vanished.
"I asked them specifically, I said, 'Do you know how to take care of these snakes?'"" Fjeld said. "You're taking them out of their home. Are they going to be housed together? You know, what are you going to be feeding them?'
"Basically they said, ‘Everything that you have, we have, but better.'"
Fjeld said he thinks the snakes were better off in his hands.
"Even though most of the snakes they took are restricted in Corpus Christi," Fjeld said, "they know that I know how to take care of them."
City Animal Control officials said they may have taken in more snakes than they were ready for.
"We've got some equipment to take care of one or two," said Kelli Copeland of animal control. "This is the most illegal snakes we've ever gotten."
Fjeld still has snakes in his home, though most of his cages sit vacant while the city keeps his other serpents.
Seized Snakes Die, Disappear in City's Care

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