http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1183515033263250.xml&coll=1
SUSQUEHANNA TWP.
GATOR AID
Animal lover, officials seek new home for 2 reptiles
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
BY CARRIE CASSIDY
Of The Patriot-News
Brandon Barre said he took Chuck and Little Girl into his Susquehanna Twp. home as a favor to a friend who could no longer care for the 8-foot- and 6-foot-long alligators.
Without his help, the reptiles would have been homeless or suffered a fate much worse, said Barre, an animal lover who helps rescue abandoned and abused animals.
But township officials told Barre he violated an ordinance by housing them in his North Sixth Street home and said the critters have to go.
Barre wasn't cited for violating the law, but he and township officials are looking for a new home for the gators -- which they found is easier said than done.
"No one will take them, and I would feel irresponsible if I gave them to just anybody," Barre said. "There are very, very few people who can care for these animals."
Barre said the problem is made worse because alligators, which require specific care, are being sold to irresponsible and incapable people.
"We appreciate how much he cares for these animals, so we are going to work with him to have these animals removed," police Chief Rob Martin said.
"They're secured and they don't pose a threat to the neighborhood," Martin said. "The ultimate goal is to find these animals a good place to live."
While state law does not regulate where alligators and other exotic animals can be housed, many municipalities do have regulations.
Like Susquehanna, many boroughs and townships ban residents from housing anything other than domesticated animals. Some municipalities have implemented even stricter ordinances.
In May, North Lebanon Twp. supervisors approved changes to an ordinance making it illegal for wild animals to be sold to anyone under 18. Pet stores in the township also are required to register with police the number of exotic animals on their premises.
John Knouse, manager of Dave's Zoo in Swatara Twp., said the pet store has one alligator that people want to buy, but the owner refuses to sell it.
Alligators, he said, become costly because of how much they eat and how much room they require. The average person can't handle the responsibility, he said.
"Unfortunately, people think it's cool to have alligators," he said. "But then they start growing and people realize it's too much. And they realize it's an animal that can take your arm off if it wants to."
Chuck and Little Girl are not the only large reptiles found in and around the township in recent years.
Perhaps the most famous was Little Toni, a 30-inch alligator that was living in and around Italian Lake in 2003 before it was captured and sent to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park in early 2003.
Later that year, a 6-foot-long python was captured two streets over from where Barre lives. The 20-pound python was dropped off by its owner outside Barre's home, a shelter of sorts.
Firefighters captured the wayward snake and sent it to ZooAmerica.
CARRIE CASSIDY: 255-8244 or ccassidy@patriot-news.com
SEEKING GOOD HOME
To help Chuck and Little Girl, call Brandon Barre at 319-7738.
