Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My name is John Swartz and my cousin and I have shared a passion for venomous snake for years now. My cousin has been part of a rattlesnake roundup in Lowber, Pennsylvania for many years and recently was made president of the Mon River reptile association which runs this annual Lowber township firhall fundraider. Until this year the group has had prizes for Timber rattlesnakes brought in that were (supposedly) caught just before the event and to be released just after. I genuinely have no problem with this activity and I feel if done properly it could help to raise awareness about our states beloved Crotalus Horridus.
However, the main attraction every year at the event is the sacking contests. First a group of 60-70 2-12 year olds take turns grabbing , and inadvertantly stomping, a bunch of near death ribbon and florida water snakes. The last few years with the help of my cousin I've confiscated many of these snakes after the contests and a few have survived the ordeal to make wonderful captives.
The even bigger attraction comes when the adults take turns sacking groups of five rattlers and determining which two man group can pin them with their boot and throw them in a bag the quickest. Last year the crowd got what they came for as the man who won the contest the year before was bitten on the finger. By the way the winning time is around 20 seconds!!! Does that sound like responsible snake handling? The snakes used for this are wild caught, purchased western diamondbacks. Last year near the end of summer they purchased 30 of these snakes and today 7 months later only 10 survive (2 gorgous high pink juveniles at my house)
My cousin want to do the right thing for all reptiles but is burdened with the responsiblity of still putting something together that people will come to see. I can understand both sides of the arguement and of course want no harm to come to any living thing this year. Anyone who feels the need to express their concern or suggestions petaining to this issuethe president of the Mon River reptile association can be written at

Jesse Steele
105 n. 1st st apt 1
Jeannette, Pa 15644

This isn't a venomous issue, nor is it a reptile issue. It's an animal welfare issue. Rattlesnake roundups are nothing more than animal abuse. I don't care if you love reptiles or hate them, anyone with that little inner voice that tells them right from wrong should understand that this is ABUSE.

Why do these events have to showcase animal abuse? There are lots of other ways to have fun, generate some money, and no one or nothing gets hurt. I just can't comprehend what makes the torture of a living creature so entertaining. If you really want to do something that people will come out to see, do some puppy and kitty sacking. Stomp their head while you grab them by the back leg and fling them in the sack. Surely that will bring some publicity to the town. That would make world news. By the way, make sure you comb your hair for the mugshot.