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CLARION-LEDGER (Jackson, Mississippi) 11 November 05 Shelby police say restaurateur tried to serve snake as meal
Shelby (AP): A cottonmouth moccasin is not considered a Mississippi Delta delicacy, but police here say one local restaurant owner apparently tried to serve the snake as a meal to his customers.
The owner of James Quality Market is under investigation for possible health code violations; police have declined to identify him until their investigation is complete. Officers say the store owner purchased a dead snake from a city worker to serve customers at his restaurant.
Eddie Boone, the city worker, was cleaning streets when he noticed the cottonmouth moccasin. He killed it with a pipe.
"He was gonna get me so I had to get him first," Boone said.
Boone carried the dead snake across the street near James Quality Market to show it off. He said the store owner "came out and asked me if he could buy the snake for a dollar."
"I did not think anything about it so I sold it to him," Boone said. "I did not know that he would try to serve it to people."
Police Chief Bobby Joe Williams said Boone entered the police department talking about the odd business transaction. Williams said he checked the store out because something didn't sound right. "I went in and asked the owner about the snake," Williams said. "He admitted to it, and he gave me the snake."
The dead snake was already skinned and filleted, Williams said.
"He was getting ready to cook and serve the snake," Williams said. "We are going to have an investigation. We want to see just what all this man has been cooking."
Williams said he has not heard of any prior complaints against James Quality Market, which remains open.
Lee Ellington, a law enforcement officer for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, said it is a violation of state law to buy or sell a non-game species.
Ellington said the market owner could face a maximum $5,000 fine, five days in jail and three years of suspension of all hunting and fishing privileges.
"People just don't know what they are dealing with when it comes to venomous snakes," Ellington said. "This is not something to play with. This man could have harmed himself and made all his customers sick."
The business could be shut down.
"You are permitted to kill a snake if it is trying to bite you," Ellington said. "You ... can't serve them as food just so you can save on your food bill."
Shelby police say restaurateur tried to serve snake as meal

Most people do not know the regulations on reptiles in there State. Ask 100 people anything about regs concerning snakes. You will be lucky to find even one who knows them. The States do not do an adequate job in getting the information to the public. A radio and TV campaign could help get the message out. Too bad this guy is facing all these charges when a warning would have sufficed. One snake was not a huge impact. I can see a situation with maybe 30 turtles getting ready to be slaughtered for food. Turtles do not scare people. Not defending the guy as I love my snakes. I would like to know more. People kill snakes here all the time not knowing it is illegal. I try to educate them as best I can. The unknowing public is the Fish and Game law enforcement officers best friend. Easy to catch them, as the people will talk openly, as they do not know they have broken any law. Good chance for a notch in the belt of a wildlife officer or agency. In some cases they feel they have done society a good deed by killing the snake. Just like you or I killing a fly or a mosquito. My 2 cents...Ric Blair