Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi
Recently I posted about my 4 ft Spec. Caiman being taken by the Denver City Animal Control, Well He has been in there for 3 weekes and its been nothing but a HUGE mess dealing with them.
Well First off I was told it would be 50$ to get him out plus another 5$ for each day hes in, Second I would have to come in and fill forms and get them notorized stating I would keep him out of Denver City (THATS IT). OK that was the first call I made well the next day I called in to the Shelter to ask for directions cause I was ready to pick him up. I was told then that I have to also bring someone who lives outside of Denver City (or wherever Caimans are not illegal) with a picture ID. OK now that should have been told to me in the first place. So now I call my Father (cause its not easy finding a friend who will take my 4 ft. Spec. for a while) So my Father works 12 hrs a Day 6 day a week pretty much and he lives 1 hour away and the Shelter closes at 5 so it is going to be real difficult to situate a time where we can BOTH go and get him out.
Well then the following day I recieve a form from Denver City Animal Control saying that I have less than a week to get him out or he will be disposed of according to whatever the Director wants to do....So I try to figure out a date and time so me and my father can get down there..and I DO and the Manager over there told me she can go another day..Soo that would work for me..
So that day my father takes off of work..(he got in trouble by the way) and we go down there with all the things I was told to bring. So we get there get the forms go get them notorized and come back, and this guy asks to see our IDs I shoed him mine my Father showed him his passport which was the only form of picture ID he had at the time.. They said they wont accept that.
I get frustrtated and told him that I asked what I needed to bring and I was told picture ID with the address on it..THATS IT...so I was told we can try Monday but after that hes gone..and this guy was a real prick about it.. SO I cant find anyone who can and my Father wont be able to cause of meetings all week. So I have no Idea what to do and when I try to call and talk with someone there its either someone who knows nothing, or the supervisor is NEVER there, or I get a few short word answers then get hung up on.Also when I call I recieve different information EVERY time, I was told hes sick, then no hes in perfect health, then I was told hes gone, then he wasnt, then I was told he would be disposed of in 2 days then I was told he is ok he will be there until I get him, then I am told no its 2 day..I am soo fed up w/ this, Its hurts too much to call and all it does is cause me pain and anger.. I have no Idea what to do,,..if anyone has had problems w/ them b4 let me know. or if anyone has any advice to offer it would be very helpful..Well the last thing I was told I can get him out Mon. and thats it (well I dont know what to think anymore)and today is thursday..I lost faith in getting him back plus I havnt even gone to court yet and been found guilty so I cant see why they are allowed to "dispose" of him as they please or when they please.
Thanks
Tony

I don't know their side so I will offer advice that may be taken as what it is, an outsiders advice. I would consult an attorney if the caiman means alot to you. Most attorneys will likely not charge much for a case such as this and will likely not get the run around you are getting.

Another option is to call law enforcement to the location. Often police will mitigate(even thought they don't like to) between parties to keep the peace. You could also, egads, call the newspaper but that could explode into negativity pretty quickly.

The way I see it from your writing the staff of this 'shelter' is pretty clueless. Perhaps even spiteful. A photo ID is used to simply identify said person, making them legitimate. A passport photo more than meets this requirement.

They should have given the animal to you right then and there.

Good Luck

CD

The Caiman was in perfect health when he was taken.
I was even told by a few Animal Control Officers that he has been the healthiest one they have seen yet.
I have called and asked about his health numerous times I was told seperate things.
That he looks grayish and he looks weak
That he was in great health
He was in perfect health and always has been for the 5 years Ive owned him
He has never been sick,injured or anything
So this concerns me as well, He is used to light handling and no people contact.
When I remove him from the enclosure I am EXTREMELY delicate if anything Im more concerned with his well being than me getting stitches, I was told when they remove him its with a loop slip knot and he thrashes violent. I could imagine him getting injured and stressed.
They tell me soo many times "We do not have the facility to maintain a 4 ft Caiman".
They still continue to fight me all the way

lawyer up, can't go wrong.

it'll cost ya though. But I'd probably do it irregardless given the fight your in.

I plan to take this as far as I can.
I emailed all of the Denver local newspapers
It has caused me a lot of hurt and pain.
I can understand and appreciate where they work cause the majority of animals they take are pitbulls and I could imagine they deal with some pretty nasty people and "some" officers there are doing there job, giving me all the information I need, being polite. I have not seen that there at all.

Tony,
Man, I feel for you. I've known other people with similar situations.
Call Jay at Colorado Gators in Colorado Springs. I'm sure he;ll be able to help when you tell him your story.
His number is 719-392-5101.
They just recently changed their name from Gator Garden's to Colorado Gators, Reptilian Adventures.
Keep us posted,
crocodil