WROC (Rochester, New York) 22 March 06 Dangerous reptile training
Police officers are often called upon to handle cold-blooded criminals--- but what about cold-blooded animals? A number of officers attended today's dangerous reptile training in at the public safety facility on Scottsville Road.
The training's required because under a new state law, residents will not be allowed to buy exotic animals like venomous snakes, pythons, large lizards and alligators, as house pets.
"We don't expect to turn anyone into an expert in just one day but we want the officer to understand how they're going to feel when they interact with these animals. Pulse quickens, respiration- breathing increases. It's a stressful situation," says Tom Hudak of Op-Tech Environmental Services.
Hudak says just last week a 6-foot pet alligator was confiscated in Greece.
Dangerous reptile training