DAILY SUN & SENTINEL (Aurora , Colorado) 20 November 06 Council mulls shedding part of snake ban (J.C. O'Connell)
Aurora: The city's ban on large snakes should be less constrictive, local lawmakers said Nov. 20.
City council's discussion of the issue was prompted by a local snake aficionado's concerns that the city's ban on all snakes more than three feet long goes too far.
Councilwoman Molly Markert said she's aware of a number of pet snakes currently in the city that exceed the three-foot restriction without causing harm.
"There's no downside to this (proposal)," Market said.
The suggested changes would allow non-venous snakes up to six feet and end a ban on non-venous constrictor snakes. Residents who use snakes longer than six feet for educational demonstrations could keep as many as three of the large reptiles after getting a $25 permit and promising to keep the animals secure and under control.
Three types of pythons, as well as anaconda snakes, would remain illegal in Aurora.
Some members of city council said large snakes are far from harmless.
Councilwoman Renie Peterson said she was afraid the creatures would escape and harm other pets.
"All it takes is one," Councilwoman Debbie Wallace said. "One snake. One incident."
The city adopted a ban on all constrictor snakes, monitor lizards and snakes more than three feet long in 2002 after an 11-foot pet Burmese python fatally strangled its owner.
Animal Care officials said before the ban they encountered about four large snakes each month, but that number has dropped to two since the tougher restrictions took effect. The Colorado Herpetological Society often finds homes for the snakes, but many of the largest reptiles are harder to place and must be destroyed, said Cheryl Conway, spokeswoman for Animal Care.
Only two snake owners have expressed interest in obtaining an educational permit and the $25 permit fee will pay for administering the process, officials said.
Owners of large snakes could be asked to provide a list of the educational presentations they give every year.
If city council gives the more lax restricts a formal stamp of approval later this year, lawmakers will examine the results of the changes in two years.
Council mulls shedding part of snake ban