NEWS JOURNAL (Wilmington, Deleware) 22 December 04 Reptiles taken from city residence - Nile lizard with an attitude, snakes found in Wilmington (Terri Sanginiti)
Photo at URL: Animal control officer Kim Williams holds a red tail boa and SPCA Director John Caldwell holds a blood python that were confiscated Tuesday from a home on North Lincoln Street in Wilmington. The owner of the snakes faces charges. (Suchat Pederson)
A tip led animal enforcement officers to a Wilmington residence Tuesday where several exotic reptiles, including a Nile lizard with a rather nasty attitude, were seized, officials said.
"The Nile lizard is aggressive," said John E. Caldwell, executive director of the Delaware Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "He'd bite the leg off a couch if he got loose."
Reptile owner Ronald Rada, 22, of the 800 block of N. Lincoln St., was cited for failing to have the proper permits to own the reptiles, Caldwell said.
Exotic pets are strictly regulated in the state of Delaware and illegal to own in New Castle County.
If convicted, Rada could be fined up to $500 on each offense.
Caldwell said Officers Kim Williams and Jay Hopper went to Rada's address Tuesday in response to a complaint and were invited inside.
"The owner was contacted and he responded to the residence," Caldwell said.
The animal officers removed a red-tail boa and blood python, each 4 to 5 feet long, and a Nile lizard about 3 1/2 feet long "with a bad disposition," Caldwell said.
The seized reptiles were taken to the SPCA shelter in Stanton.
"He also had in his possession a water dragon and two leopard gecko lizards," Caldwell said. "But they are legal. You're allowed to have them as pets."
Caldwell said Rada was also cited for not having his pit bull registered under the city of Wilmington's pit bull ordinance.
The dog had current rabies shots.
Rada was unable to be reached for comment.
Reptiles taken from city residence