KBCI (Boise, Idaho) 10 October 08 Idaho pair may face charges for selling snake

Coeur d'Alene (AP): A northern Idaho couple who took in a homeless red tail boa could face criminal charges for selling the reptile on the Internet for $250.

Kootenai County sheriff's officials said they referred a complaint Wednesday to the county prosecutor, alleging grand theft because the snake was technically still in the custody of the sheriff's department. The prosecutor's office will review the report and decide whether to file formal charges against Matt and Anna Harrington.

The couple had been taking care of the 8-foot snake, which was found in the front yard of a Post Falls home on Sept 8.

But sheriff's Capt. Don Mattos said no formal adoption process had taken place before they began advertising the snake for sale on the Internet.

Authorities identified the buyer as Chris Altringer, 23, of Spokane. He has agreed to return the snake to the sheriff's department.

"It's being taken care of by someone until we can find out who owns it," Mattos said. "I'm surprised no one has come forward to claim it. I'm being told these are valuable animals."

The sheriff department has estimated the snake's value at $1,100.

Tracy McDonald, of Spokane Reptile Rescue, in Spokane, Wash., speculated that the original owner could be too afraid to come forward and claim the reptile. Owning a red tail boa is legal in both states, but the owner might fear repercussions such as a ticket for having an "animal at large" or a bill for the snake's care, McDonald said.

"Exotic animal laws in both Idaho and Washington have gotten so strict that often people don't even tell you they have a snake," McDonald said.

Typically, the charge of grand theft applies to items with a value estimated at more than $1,000, but Idaho law allows the charge to be applied for any animal estimated to cost more than $150.
Idaho pair may face charges for selling snake

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