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KPVI (Pocatello, Idaho) 03 July 08 Poisonous Coral Snake on the Loose in Idaho Falls (Andrew Del Greco)
The Idaho Falls Police Department is cautioning some people in Idaho Falls, after a man reported that his poisonous pet snake escaped from its enclosure, and has still not been found.
Animal control says the people found the snake in the wild in Texas, and should not have brought it home as a pet. Now that they have lost it, they have temporarily moved out of their home, afraid to sleep there at night.
This young boy at the Tauthphaus Park Zoo is mesmerized by the zoo's Boa Constrictor snake. But when it comes to snakes, that's not always the reaction.
Mikayla Marley: "Oh my gosh they freak me out, I can't stand them!"
Brandon Holly: "They're creepy, I don't like them at all."
Especially after you hear a poisonous snake could be on the loose.
Marley: "I didn't think there were any poisonous snakes in our neighborhood, that kind of worries me."
They are just some of the many people who have learned their neighbor on Wabash Avenue can not find his colorful but venomous Coral Snake.
Michelle Porter, Wabash neighbor: "It's very shocking to know someone would have a poisonous snake, they put a ton of people in danger here."
The snake escape coincidentally happened right next door to a veterinarian.
Dr. Les Stone: "I believe they're one of the most dangerous snakes in the world as far as how toxic their venom is."
If it has indeed escaped it's enclosure in the basement, looking for food and water, it could be anywhere, in cool, shady spots, hiding from the sun in drainage pipes or bushes. It's only active at night since it's nocturnal. It's what Idaho Falls Animal Control describes as looking for a needle in a haystack, now that the snake's owner has reported the escape, three weeks after it happened.
Irene Brown, Idaho Falls Animal Control: "He suggested we go downstairs in the middle of the night on our hands and knees with a flashlight, well I'm not gonna do that!"
It is a misdemeanor to own a poisonous snake so the owners could be cited about $130. Some people say the fine and/or punishment should be greater.
Animal control says if anyone is bitten, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center can get the anti-venom to Idaho Falls overnight. If the snake is outside, and is not found, it will die during our brutally cold winter.
http://www.kpvi.com/Global/story.asp?S=8613881

KIDK (Idaho Falls, Idaho) 02 July 08 Poisonous Snake on the Loose in IF (Danielle Leigh)
An Idaho Falls family is staying in a motel after their deadly snake goes missing and could be threatening neighbors.
Animal control believes the poisonous coral snake is somewhere near the 600 block of Wabash in Idaho Falls.
Anyone four to six blocks of there is asked to be extra careful.
"It was very shocking to know that somebody would actually have a poisonous snake in their house," says Michelle Porter.
"If somebody's little kid walks around and gets bit by that snake and gets killed, then that's a serious situation," says Jeff Robbins.
From shocked to calm....
"I think if anything it's going to go under a tree or bush or something and a dog or a cat is going to find it first," says Ty Ahrendsen.
Most of the residents on Wabash have an opinion about the deadly snake that could be loitering in their yards.
"I mean they put tons of people in danger here," says Porter.
The coral snake looks like this. It's about 18 inches long and has a black head with red and yellow stripes that touch.
"It doesn't just quickly come out and bite you it actually grabs a hold of you and chews," says Animal Control Manager Irene Brown.
The snake is likely in a cool, secluded place, such as under a rock or in dense vegetation. It is also likely near a water source.
"It's not as horrible as it may seem. Not everybody that gets bit by a coral snake dies, and they very rarely bite," says Brown.
The coral snake actually went missing about three weeks ago but it wasn't until today that it's disappearance was reported to animal control.
"They should have notified somebody right off the bat that is was missing," says Porter.
The family didn't come forward because they knew it's illegal to have a poisonous reptile in Idaho Falls.
Brown says if they find the snake, "We'll definitely file charges."
Animal control is still investigating the situation, and they are keeping the family's identity private at this time.
If you do get bit, go to the hospital immediately because anti-venom is not readily available in our area and would need to be flown in.
http://www.kidk.com/news/local/22848289.html