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KRIS (Corpus Christi, Texas) 30 November 07 Seized Snakes Die, Disappear in City's Care (Erin Cargile)
When the city carted off 14 snakes and three lizards from Jeremiah Fjeld's Southside home two weeks ago, he thought he would, eventually, get 14 snakes and three lizards back.
A week ago, a judge ordered a 12-foot reticulated python, a nine foot Burmeses python and slithers of 17 other reptiles be relocated to live with Fjeld's friend in Aransas Pass. The two longest snakes were illegal to house in the city limits.
The snakes have not been moved the friend's house. The city still has them-well, most of them.
Two snakes died while in the city's care. Another has vanished.
"I asked them specifically, I said, 'Do you know how to take care of these snakes?'"" Fjeld said. "You're taking them out of their home. Are they going to be housed together? You know, what are you going to be feeding them?'
"Basically they said, ‘Everything that you have, we have, but better.'"
Fjeld said he thinks the snakes were better off in his hands.
"Even though most of the snakes they took are restricted in Corpus Christi," Fjeld said, "they know that I know how to take care of them."
City Animal Control officials said they may have taken in more snakes than they were ready for.
"We've got some equipment to take care of one or two," said Kelli Copeland of animal control. "This is the most illegal snakes we've ever gotten."
Fjeld still has snakes in his home, though most of his cages sit vacant while the city keeps his other serpents.
Seized Snakes Die, Disappear in City's Care

We watched this report carefully, apparently the cold snap killed the pythons, I do not know if the snakes were kept in outdoor enclosures but I would bet they were. The city of Corpus Christi has had the no venomous and no constrictor over 6' long rule for over 35 years, and the man did not move the snakes in a timely manner. He is lucky the judge gave him this long, as most are destroyed. This was a lose/lose situation for all involved. There is not much you can do here except keep large animals in cities where it is allowed, you must be responsible, or someone else will be left with control of your animals. Just my opinion.
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Todd Hughes

but two wrongs don't make a right. It seems only one party is held accountable and for a lesser offense. Animal cruelty charges can be severe and should be filed in this case.
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http://www.hcu-tx.org

When an agency seizes any animal(s) they should also be taking on the responsibility to provide proper care for the animal(s). In the past this has not been a priority.

I agree with Joe, there should be a formal complaint and investigation of animal cruelty.

Lance
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Herp Conservation Unlimited

Plus from antelopes post it would seem they knew what he had several months in advance so they could have prepared alot better than they did. Two sheets of melamine and a couple 60 watt bulbs could have at least kept them alive until the trial.

>>KRIS (Corpus Christi, Texas) 30 November 07 Seized Snakes Die, Disappear in City's Care (Erin Cargile)
>> When the city carted off 14 snakes and three lizards from Jeremiah Fjeld's Southside home two weeks ago, he thought he would, eventually, get 14 snakes and three lizards back.
>> A week ago, a judge ordered a 12-foot reticulated python, a nine foot Burmeses python and slithers of 17 other reptiles be relocated to live with Fjeld's friend in Aransas Pass. The two longest snakes were illegal to house in the city limits.
>> The snakes have not been moved the friend's house. The city still has them-well, most of them.
>> Two snakes died while in the city's care. Another has vanished.
>> "I asked them specifically, I said, 'Do you know how to take care of these snakes?'"" Fjeld said. "You're taking them out of their home. Are they going to be housed together? You know, what are you going to be feeding them?'
>> "Basically they said, ‘Everything that you have, we have, but better.'"
>> Fjeld said he thinks the snakes were better off in his hands.
>> "Even though most of the snakes they took are restricted in Corpus Christi," Fjeld said, "they know that I know how to take care of them."
>> City Animal Control officials said they may have taken in more snakes than they were ready for.
>> "We've got some equipment to take care of one or two," said Kelli Copeland of animal control. "This is the most illegal snakes we've ever gotten."
>> Fjeld still has snakes in his home, though most of his cages sit vacant while the city keeps his other serpents.
>>Seized Snakes Die, Disappear in City's Care

so does this mean authorities confiscated animals they had no right to take beyond those that were in fact illegal? only "most" of the snake were restricted animals - not all. Did the ones that die.. were they snakes that were legal or illegal to have?

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PHWyvern

I used to live in Alice which is just outside of Corpus so I knew about this law. The real problem here is that the animals were snakes and a lot of people in Texas really hate snakes. If this had been a Javelina (collared pecarry for non-Texans) which is illegal to keep as pet Statewide, people would be gathered outside the Animal control offices with torches and pitchforks. That's just about what happened with a Javelina named bubba in Flour bluff when I was in High school. Like I said though a lot of people in Texas really hate snakes (present company on this forum obviously an exception.) of course if I had been this guy and HAD to live inside the city limits (I hate living in cities and will never ever again live in one) I would have kept my mouth shut about what I had for pets.

yeah as i remember it they ATE bubba though... but to let exotic pythons be exposed to frigid temps is just sadistic imho and those who did so should be held to account for severe animal cruelty, but being texas rednecks i doubt ANYTHING will be done,,,,,,,,,thomas davis
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