Reptile & Amphibian Forums

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Haven't heard anything on this one... What are they looking for this time? People that keep rattlesnakes instead of rounding them up and killing them for rattles? Folks collecting an over abundance or bull snakes?

Always something... Always something...

Steven

Steve, The press release below was in the Abilene Reporter Newspaper a day or so after the Raid. Since it doesnt mention names, I will refrain as well as naming people, but most people know that this did happen & that 2 snake keepers were raided by Federal, as well as State authorities. I personally called & breifly talked to one of the men that were raided & of course he is depressed & disgusted, who wouldnt be? He didnt talk long as he probably figured his phone line is tapped I am guessing & it very well could be. This is all the information I will post about this, as its ongoing & not resolved yet. John

Seizure of snakes may be hiss-toric
By Sidney Levesque / Reporter-News Staff Writer
October 16, 2004

Authorities suspect the more than 100 snakes corralled in two raids this week are part of a network of people who buy and sell venomous snakes for collectors.

The snake busts occurred at two Abilene homes on Thursday. This may be the largest venomous-snake bust Abilene has ever had, said Alvin O'Dell, program manager for the city's animal control office.

Charges have not been filed or citations issued in the snake bust. No names have been released, and an investigation is ongoing.

Owning a venomous snake is illegal in the city of Abilene. The punishment is a fine similar to a traffic ticket. If threatened or endangered species are found, charges become more serious.

So far, no such snakes have been found. Some rattlesnakes indigenous to the area were confiscated. Others were from Central America.

The local office of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department conducted the first snake bust Thursday. Eighty poisonous snakes were seized from a home, said Capt. Sparks Burdett, a game warden.

The second, smaller snake seizure Thursday night was conducted by city animal control, which was acting on a tip, O'Dell said. About 25 snakes were seized at the second home.

The snakes were taken to the Abilene Zoo. A permanent home for the reptiles has not been determined, O'Dell said.

One of the homes where snakes were seized was in the 2900 block of South 7th Street. Neighbor Johnna Hookings said the snakes did not pose a threat, and she did not understand why they were removed.

''I've seen them before, and they were all in cages,'' she said. ''They were his pets.''

Some of the snakes were dehydrated and thin when they arrived at the zoo, said Jeff Bullock, zoo director. He said one viper needs surgery.

From what is known a couple of people many of us know were raided and their venomous collections were confiscated because of local laws banning venomous animals within the city of Abilene.

I think most should already know that most cities don't allow venomous or vicarious animals. This should be common knowledge so anytime you own a venomous animal you take a risk. I don't always agree or disagree with the city or state ordinances but in some instances the people that keep them are not qualified to do so... It is a tough one. Most city ordinances are by complaint only, so this means someone may have complained about them. If your house smells, or one of the "critters" gets out then you can bet a complaint will get filed quickly.

I hope it all works out. Most stories in the paper are overblown. It works to the benefit of law enforcement.

Take Care,

Steve