"Snake farmers booked with cruelty to dogs, cats



OAKDALE, La. (AP) - A couple accused of flouting a snake permit law now also faces charges of cruelty to 17 dogs and five cats taken from their property.

Allen Parish Chief Deputy Grant Willis says 44-year-old David Beauchemin and 23-year-old Tawni Beauchemin were booked Tuesday on 22 cruelty charges. They run High End Herps and Happy Hounds Rescue.

Willis says neighbors had long suspected the couple of feeding stray pets to the snakes. He got a warrant when an animal rescue worker brought evidence they were asking $300 for a dog they had claimed to adopt.

Willis says that's the basis of a theft by fraud charge they also face. He says Beauchemin also was booked with obstructing justice because he ran from deputies and was uncooperative.

They also were cited for keeping 22 snakes more than 12 feet long without the required free permit."

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