http://www.kval.com/news/local/129318763.html

Big snakes latest dangerous pet craze
By The Longview Daily News and KATU.com Published: Sep 6, 2011 at 11:39 AM PDT

LONGVIEW, Wash. - A new pet trend put a child at risk, Longview animal control officials said in a story published by the Daily News.

On Monday, animal control officers took two large Boa Constrictor snakes out of a home where a 5-year-old child lived.

Officers said the snake's owner did not have an exotic pet license and the child was at risk.

According to animal control officials, they are seeing a rise in the reports of snakes being kept as pets by young men who they say would have kept pit bull terriers in the past.

Mike Nicholson, an animal control officer with the Cowlitz County Humane Society, said it was the fourth time this year that he has taken exotic reptiles away from their owners, according to the newspaper.

Nicholson said the reptiles are available for purchase online

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