GREEN BAY - A Green Bay teen who likes taking care of exotic pets had his hobby turn on him Sunday. Police said the 17-year-old was bitten by one of his own venomous rattlesnakes.
When rescue crews went inside the home at 1808 Canary Lane to assist , they found a number of other exotic animals. The city's animal control team was called in to help, and 11 poisonous dart frogs, 2 southern speckled rattlesnakes, and seven other non-venomous creatures were removed.
"If it's not indigenous to the area, you can't have it without a permit," Green Bay police Lt. James Runge said. "You potentially could get a permit for certain animals but if it's venomous or poisonous you can't even get a permit for it, it would be illegal to have."
Neighbors have identified the injured teen as Nick Howell. He was listed in stable condition Sunday at St. Mary's hospital in Green Bay. Officials there confirmed he has since been transferred to UW Hospital in Madison.
Neighbors tell FOX 11 that the family had had all kinds of animals in the home for years, but they said they had no idea just how many dangerous creatures were inside.
"I guess if he wants to have them over there it doesn't bother me, a little bit surprised, but it doesn't bother me," Steve Rosenthal, a neighbor, said.
Rosenthal, whose 11-year-old son often hangs out at the home, said he knew about some of the exotic creatures. Although Rosenthal said the kids are always supervised by Howell's parents so he has never worred about something bad happening.
"If that's what he wants in his house, that's fine. Like I said, I don't think I'd ever have them in my house (but) that's their choice," Rosenthal added.
Authorities, however, said both families should have been more careful. Some lists put the colorful dart frog as the most poisonous creature on Earth. It's lethal toxins can absorb right through human skin.
"They look really cool and you want to pick them up. What they're telling me is one of these little frogs has enough poison to kill 10 people," Runge said.
In this case, however, it was one near-fatal bite from a rattlesnake.
"Hope he's doing alright but these are wild animals, that's what they do," Rosenthal said.
The venomous snakes and frogs are all headed to the Milwaukee County Zoo for an exhibit.
FOX 11 did tried to contact the Howell family for comment but our calls were not returned. Police are recommending either charges or citations be issued but a decision has not been made yet by the Brown County District Attorney's office.
http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/news_wluk_police_seize_creatures_200906221752_rev1
