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LEDBURY REPORTER (UK) 01 June 07 Tied in knots by snake insurance (Tarik Al Rasheed)
Ledbury snake enthusiast Timothy Fry has told town councillors he now only wants to exercise one snake on the recreation ground, because his other had bitten him.
He said his snakes only get one chance and the one that had bitten him was now confined to its tank.
Mr Fry, of Longacres, was seeking permission to exercise a five-and-a-half feet rat or corn snake on the council-owned recreation ground.
He had been using the park to exercise his snakes until a fellow user had complained.
The police had advised him to seek permission from the landowner, Ledbury Town Council. Mr Fry said: "The grass is good. It's the safest place to exercise a snake and the kids love it."
When questioned on the risks posed by his snakes, Mr Fry told Thursday's council committee meeting: "You get a worse bite from a hamster. They are not poisonous, they are constrictors."
Coun Martin Eager asked Mr Fry for his assurance the snake would not bite, and the council asked whether he would be willing to look into third party insurance.
Coun Jo Cooper asked who would be liable if the snake bit someone. Coun Eager thought that if the council gave permission, some liability would fall on it.
Coun Clive Jupp said: "We don't give permission for people to exercise their dogs there and we should not give permission for this, otherwise we'd be liable."
Coun Eager said he did not want to refuse Mr Fry's request, because it was a public piece of land for people to enjoy.
The committee agreed to seek legal advice and the full council will make the final decision. Coun Eager said: "While we are not granting permission, we cannot stop people exercising their pets."

http://www.ledburyreporter.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1441983.mostviewed.tied_in_knots_by_snake_insurance.php

BBC (London, UK) 27 June 07 No exercise for snakes in grass
A man who took his snakes out for exercise in a town park has been told he can no longer do so.
Timothy Fry, 22, of Ledbury, had been taking Rose and Buddy, a corn snake and a rat snake, out into a field in the park for the past year.
But, after being warned it might be illegal, he asked the town council, which refused him permission.
Mr Fry said he did not want to take them out any more anyway as the snakes had not enjoyed the attention they got.
He said he had not used a lead or collar, just put them in the grass and let them roam around.
He added he always kept close and no-one had been in any danger from the snakes, which are not poisonous.
"A few people would come up and ask what I was doing but no-one ever complained," he said.
The snakes apparently liked having the freedom of a bit of space, after being cooped up in tanks.
Now, they will be confined to Mr Fry's flat floor.
He said: "I'm a bit disappointed but because of the publicity more people have been coming over to see them and the snakes don't like it when people are crowding round."
No exercise for snakes in grass