KRIS (Corpus Christi, Texas) 25 November 04 Animal Control Picks Up Several Dangerous Snakes (Byron Wood)
Corpus Christi: Folks with animal care services want to remind people that it is illegal to obtain and possess large snakes here in the city. The department has confiscated three large constrictors over the past week and a half.
A seven foot python was recently picked up by Animal Care Services loose in the Betty Jean area. Then, a seven foot boa red tail was picked up in the Blucher Park Area and last Friday a 13 foot python was confiscated after it attacked it's owner. The owner of the python was a 20-year old woman who lives on Rosebud. The woman was bitten on the thumb and required stitches.
"You're putting people in danger by having something like this, especially when you purchase something this big," said Amimal Care Services field supervisor, A.J. Hernandez. "A snake of this caliber can easily harm a child. This one here could probably take down a grown-up."
Hernandez said these types of animals are very dangerous and if one of them gets a hold of you, you've got some real problems.
"Every time you breathe, they constrict. That takes the air out of your lungs where you can't breathe any more. Then after they stop feeling you're heart beat, then they commence to eat their prey." Besides the danger anyone who owns these snakes will be facing legal penalties. According to Hernandez, Animal Control services will begin cracking down on people who break the law.
"We don't recommend that anybody purchase these and we will start looking into pet shops and anybody selling these types of animals." The folks at Animal Care Services say if you spot a large snake like that on the loose don't try to handle it. Instead just call them, and they'll come out and pick it up.
Animal Control Picks Up Several Dangerous Snakes