Reptile & Amphibian Forums

http://www.kltv.com/story/14485852/nearly-100-snakes-seized-from-wood-co-property

http://www.longviewbound.com/news/nearly-100-snakes-seized-from-wood-co-property/

http://topics.dallasnews.com/article/09BW9GC4xpaqU?q=ABC
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

www.kltv.com/story/14485852/nearly-100-snakes-seized-from-wood-co-property

www.longviewbound.com/news/nearly-100-snakes-seized-from-wood-co-property/

topics.dallasnews.com/article/09BW9GC4xpaqU?q=ABC
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

I didn't realize that 78 was "nearly 100". Gee, you learn something new everyday...

You haven't listened to US F&W claims that we are all millionaires and that the $25 snakes they just seized is worth thousand’s of dollars.
Michael Luhrs

Now what: Texas Humane Society burdened with arrival of 79 seized snakes

QUITMAN (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - Officials with the Humane Society of North Texas (HSNT) in Fort Worth say the arrival of dozens of snakes at their facility is going to be a huge financial responsibility for them.

The 79 boa constrictors, pythons and anacondas are part of an animal abuse case.

A Louisiana man, wanted for failing to appear in court on animal abuse charges, was arrested in East Texas, along with the snakes. Wood County deputies say 45-year-old David James Beauchemin of Oakdale, La., was arrested in Quitman on Wednesday on 22 outstanding warrants accusing him of failure to appear in court as ordered in Allen Parish, La.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Kilan Polk tells the Tyler Morning Telegraph that deputies rescued the snakes, some as long as 20 feet, when Beauchemin was taken into custody.

HSNT officials say the snakes cannot be placed for adoption since they are part of a criminal investigation. Once the case is closed workers say they will do their best to place the serpents.

Until the case is cleared the snakes must be cared for. Humane Society workers are hoping the public can help offset the financial impact on the organization by donating aquariums, heating lamps, ceramic discs, or anything ‘snake related’.

Cash donations can also be made on the Humane Society of North Texas website. Donors can designate that they want their support to go toward medical care expenses for the snakes.

Beauchemin remains in Wood County Jail without bond pending extradition and any Texas charges.

Quitman is about 80 miles east of Dallas.
www.kens5.com/news/Now-what--120480949.html

"Until the case is cleared the snakes must be cared for. Humane Society workers are hoping the public can help offset the financial impact on the organization by donating aquariums, heating lamps, ceramic discs, or anything ‘snake related’."

Good luck with that...what happened to the evidence? It died...

Why does everyone think snakes are lizards?

jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

KDAF (Fort Worth, Texas) 25 April 11 Fort Worth Humane Society Burdened by 79 Seized Snakes (Doug Magditch)
Fort Worth: The Humane Society of North Texas (HSNT) is stuck with dozens of snakes that it says it can't afford to take care of. So, it's asking for the community's help.
The Wood County Sheriff's Office seized 79 snakes as part of an animal abuse case in east Texas. It says they were raised by David Beauchemin, a fugitive snake breeder from Louisiana. He is currently being held in the Wood County Jail.
Deputies found the snakes severly dehydrated and malnourished last week. Now, they're in Fort Worth, until the breeder has his day in court.
"It seems like problems with exotic animals are on the rise," said Tammy Hawley, the operations director at HSNT.
In a room built for housing exotic animals, HSNT is full of more snakes than it's ever had. Staff are still shaking their heads in disbelief.
"When they do get exotic snakes as pets, these aren't the ones they get," said Shelly Meeks, who's been caring for the snakes.
None of the snakes are venemous, but that doesn't mean they aren't dangerous. They're all boa constrictors, pythons, and anacondas. Because they were rarely handled, staff is having a difficult time caring for them.
"Now that (the snakes) are feeling better, it's becoming more difficult for the staff, because they're becoming more mobile," said Hawley.
For the non-profit organization, the snakes couldn't have come at a worse time. HSNT is packed with animals every spring.
"It's draining our resources. We're having to have specific staff allotted to this area every day. Much of the needs are things we didn't have here in stock," said Hawley.
Staff has been making daily trips to hardware stores for supplies. Each day, it spends about $300 caring for the snakes. So, HSNT is asking for money and anything to keep the snakes wet and warm. The room needs to stay at 80 - 90 degrees.
If you're one of those who's thinkin, 'snakes are creepy, why should I care?' Think about where the resources are coming from. Among the other animals at HSNT: puppies.
"We realize that (the snakes) are not necessarily warm and fuzzy little creatures. But, if we receive some help it leaves us resources for some of the warm fuzzies," said Hawley.
HSNT may get a verdict on the snakes' future in court Tuesday. It expects to have them for at least 10 more days. In the meantime, that's $1,000's in care
Fort Worth Humane Society Burdened by 79 Seized Snakes

How are they coming up with this figure? Snakes don't eat every day. Back when I was breeding snakes full time I had that many breeders (not including offspring.) plus 20 some monitors. I could have made $300 go a long way towards feeders. I raised my own feeders and $300 would have gotten feed for for me for 2 to 2 1/2 months and I produced enough feeders to supply my own needs and horse trade off the surplus to a friend for either other reptiles or cash if I needed it.
I realize they aren't in the rodent business but as I said snakes don't eat everyday (as everyone here knows.) and care wise there just isn't that much involved. I always preferred lizards because they do more, and even still I could make that money go much further even with monitors.

Yeah $300 a day is rediculous I am guessing they are figuring in wages for 2 or 3 employees per day. That's excessive because once they get them set up they probably only need to tend to them one day per week. Just try telling the IRS you spend $300 a day taking care of your collection and see how far you get, lol.

The way I figure it 100 jumbo rats could probably feed those 79 snakes for 1 week at a cost of about $300-350 per week. So it is quite expensive but I don't know why they always have to exaggerate when the reality is shocking enough.

If they had to set up a whole new room that would be expensive but if they hold onto the snakes for a couple months and bill/fine him at $300/day they will turn quite a nice profit on the deal. Also if they are looking for heat lamps that's a sign that they don't really know how to take care of these animals very well themselves. Besides aren't pythons and boas supposed to be able to survive outdoors over the lower 2/3rds of the US? They really shouldn't need any supplemental heat, right?
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www.hcu-tx.org/

So sad that such ignorant people are calling the tune. Shameful!!!
Nothing about that article is necessarily true, accurate, or factual.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

>>So sad that such ignorant people are calling the tune. Shameful!!!
>>Nothing about that article is necessarily true, accurate, or factual.
>>jsc
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>>"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
>>John Crickmer

It almost sounds like these snakes are being kept in conditions that would be considered cruel (and prosecutable?) if one of us lowly hobbyists were the owners. Ironic, isn't it?

Maybe it's a strategy to get more donations, but I find the following to be pretty disgusting coming from someone running a humane society:

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If you're one of those who's thinkin, 'snakes are creepy, why should I care?' Think about where the resources are coming from. Among the other animals at HSNT: puppies.
"We realize that (the snakes) are not necessarily warm and fuzzy little creatures. But, if we receive some help it leaves us resources for some of the warm fuzzies," said Hawley.
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There's a good solution to this overabundance of puppies and lack of money for snake food, but I won't go there...

Well, well, well,......... Looky what the cat drug in. Cool cat David, with several aliases.

Those don't look like "high end herps" to me.

Later!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

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