Cowlitz County cracks down on snakes

The latest media hysteria.

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Cowlitz County cracks down on snakes

Cowlitz County Animal Services is cracking down on owners of exotic animals, Boa Constrictors and Pythons.

LONGVIEW, Wash. -- Cowlitz County Animal Services confiscated dozens of snakes Monday after learning the owners did not have permits.

Seven of Lois Shaver and Robert Winningham’s snakes were taken.

"We feel we’re being picked on right now because every chance they get their nailing the good guys," said Lois Shaver.

"We had a ball python get out about 4 days ago," said Robert Winningham.

Winningham and his wife Lois Shaver called animal services to report the missing snake, that’s when they say the problems started.

The couple owns over a dozen of the reptiles. Many of them are Ball Pythons and Boa Constrictors which are used for their business.

"They were all 8 feet and under and I don’t think there has ever been a recorded incident of a ball python eating anybody," said Winningham.

Cowlitz county is cracking down on snakes after reports about them getting lose and being around children.

Longview also has an ordinance requiring licenses for certain types of snakes, like Boa Constrictors and Pythons.

The snakes are however sold at Pet Works in Longview. Store manager, Matthew Bennett, says they are not venomous and legal to sell.

"There has been no written documentation that comes through here that says any snake has to be registered," said Bennett.

Shaver and Winningham were unaware of the city ordinance requiring a permit. They do not feel the snakes pose a danger to children.

Others disagree.

"It's a big snake. It's a Boa Constrictor for crying out loud," said Carisa Patching, who lives in a neighborhood where two large Boa Constrictors were confiscated.

The snakes were found in unlocked cages around a child. "The snake was big enough to eat one of the little kids."

Snake enthusiasts maintain they’re not as bad as they seem.

"My snakes never bit anybody. They were retired breeders. I’ve actually had trouble getting them to eat rodents because they didn’t want to kill them", said Winningham.
http://www.koinlocal6.com/news/local...4u7JlQxwQ.cspx

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Sigh......


I really worry about my future as a snake owner. This is frustrating.

So sad and pathetic. I'm so sick of this bs.


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Snakes bring out the stupid in people. It's amazing but never fails...

"It's a Boa Constrictor for crying out loud" - bet you 1000 dollars this woman has NO idea what a boa constrictor is....

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Originally Posted by womsterr

Snakes bring out the stupid in people. It's amazing but never fails...

"It's a Boa Constrictor for crying out loud" - bet you 1000 dollars this woman has NO idea what a boa constrictor is....

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I agree. If she was knowledgeable, she wouldn't have said that so freely.

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and so it begins..

This is in my state! It's so cool here that it would be impossible for an animal to survive even the fall. There's a reason I don't let people know about my animals and definitely don't get AC involved with anything. Scary times ahead.

Regards,

B

This is why I'm moving to SC lol they don't care

This is why I hesitate to tell anyone we have bp's. Tell the wrong person and you're in deep trouble. <sigh>

people's incompetence and fears drive the majority of decisions made. No redtail in the world could eat a child. The only way we stand a good chance is to keep those making the rules educated, everyone else however, is too great a challenge.

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Originally Posted by womsterr

Snakes bring out the stupid in people. It's amazing but never fails...

"It's a Boa Constrictor for crying out loud" - bet you 1000 dollars this woman has NO idea what a boa constrictor is....

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Good thing she's never seen a Retic. I hate ignorance like that.

I live in this state as well... Makes me nervous knowing that they're cracking down elsewhere. Only have ball pythons so far, but I really wanted to have a boa soon, makes me wary about telling anybody living nearby

I swear the hobby is going to become an underground trade someday. Why can't they just STOP and let us keep our snakes in peace?

I really hope those people get thier animals back somehow. :(

"Longview also has an ordinance requiring licenses for certain types of snakes, like Boa Constrictors and Pythons. "

Keepers need to educate themselves on their city bylaws so that this stuff happens less. It is not always easy to find the material, but its usually out there on the internet somewhere.

It is quite obvious to us that a redtail cannot eat a child :snake:

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Originally Posted by hig

"Longview also has an ordinance requiring licenses for certain types of snakes, like Boa Constrictors and Pythons. "

Keepers need to educate themselves on their city bylaws so that this stuff happens less. It is not always easy to find the material, but its usually out there on the internet somewhere.

It is quite obvious to us that a redtail cannot eat a child :snake:

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Where do I find these laws? I don't want trouble!

Call animal control and ask. I did today and they were a little wierd ;) but wanted to confirm no problem raising rats and no laws for pythons or boas.

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Originally Posted by hig

Keepers need to educate themselves on their city bylaws so that this stuff happens less. It is not always easy to find the material, but its usually out there on the internet somewhere.

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Absolutely! While the ignorance of so many is unfortunate, it is ultimately our responsibility to respect those who are uncomfortable with snakes and adhere to regulations.

Check this story

http://www.katu.com/news/local/129317243.html

"Having those kinds of snakes aren't exactly illegal, though. The problem is these snakes can get up to 15 feet long and animal control officers said in Washington, snakes and reptiles that can eventually grow to 10 feet long or more need to have special permits. "

Wow - 15 foot redtail...i must have always had dwarfs i guess. If reminds me of the craziness about gun control. So many times guns are mislabeled AK47s, AR15s or Glocks etc when they are not.

Wow the ignorance of some people, I think she's just wayy to fearfull and not knowlegable at all

I know someone who already moved from here just because he was afraid his snakes would be taken. This is rediculous and we really do need to do something about it. Question is what...

So... I live in an area that only requires permits for the giant constrictors(burmese/retics)

But I do have a boa. And with the media craze lately... I am a bit nervous. I have seen more than one occasion were ball pythons and boas were taken for fear they could kill a child. Even in places where they don't require permits.. It seems that often times it is the animal control officers themselves who are not aware of the law.

I don't need a permit for my animals, but should I somehow get one? I am wondering, could I protect myself and my animals by getting a license to use my animals for education? That way even if they are WRONG I have something to show the officers if they came for me and my snakes. Would this do any good at all?

It is alway hard to say. I know the local laws and follow everything that they require very carefully. (even the silly ones) If you don't know or are unsure find out. personally however I'd ask about bringing an x (boa) into that area from outside and use a internet cafe. paranoid? likely but in my area they often pose on kijiji and places like that, i don't trust them, so I don't give them the excuse to visit.

People need to EDUCATE themselves before making crazy claims or restricting each other's freedoms. A Common Boa eating a child? Really? When they normally eat large rats?

Also, I hate hate hate when people throw around Boa constrictor like its a a genus/ family or something. Like when they said Boa constrictors and pythons. There are many different species of pythons; the Boa constrictor is one species. Education, people, is not that difficult.

If you read the comments, it looks like he got some of his snakes back.

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Originally Posted by zach_24_90

This is why I'm moving to SC lol they don't care

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Same with Montana :)

The answer is to educate yourself on the laws and protect yourself accordingly. In the OPs case, the owners, while most likely genuine people, should have known they needed permits and gotten them accordingly; they have no one to blame but themselves. In a society that is increasingly making it illegal/requiring a permit to own things as common as pit bulls, people need to be aware that there are laws out there targeting the animals they care for. The hysteria after the fact is disappointing, but at the end of the day is irrelevant; if you are legally able to keep your pets, let your neighbors cry all they want.

Now if it is legal to own your snakes, and some one like AC tries to take your snakes, call the cops! That's what they're there for. Just make sure you have any documentation on hand like the ordinances printed out on the subject, etc, to back yourself up for when AC inevitably tries to label your snake as something it isn't.

Best thing to do in this situation is to just stay calm and be prepared for the worst. Most people wouldn't have to deal with something like this, but I can see breeders finding this an issue.

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Originally Posted by hig

"Longview also has an ordinance requiring licenses for certain types of snakes, like Boa Constrictors and Pythons. "

Keepers need to educate themselves on their city bylaws so that this stuff happens less. It is not always easy to find the material, but its usually out there on the internet somewhere.

It is quite obvious to us that a redtail cannot eat a child :snake:

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Originally Posted by Crazy4Herps

Absolutely! While the ignorance of so many is unfortunate, it is ultimately our responsibility to respect those who are uncomfortable with snakes and adhere to regulations.

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Originally Posted by Salodin

The answer is to educate yourself on the laws and protect yourself accordingly. In the OPs case, the owners, while most likely genuine people, should have known they needed permits and gotten them accordingly; they have no one to blame but themselves. In a society that is increasingly making it illegal/requiring a permit to own things as common as pit bulls, people need to be aware that there are laws out there targeting the animals they care for. The hysteria after the fact is disappointing, but at the end of the day is irrelevant; if you are legally able to keep your pets, let your neighbors cry all they want.

Now if it is legal to own your snakes, and some one like AC tries to take your snakes, call the cops! That's what they're there for. Just make sure you have any documentation on hand like the ordinances printed out on the subject, etc, to back yourself up for when AC inevitably tries to label your snake as something it isn't.

Best thing to do in this situation is to just stay calm and be prepared for the worst. Most people wouldn't have to deal with something like this, but I can see breeders finding this an issue.

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+1 to all of this.

I am currently facing a similar situation with DSHS and our Fostercare Liscense. A Ball Python is considered a dangerous snake to them and I am tyring to educate them about how docile and easy to keep they are. The WAC is so vague I think I am screwed though. For now I am keeping the snakes in the Utility room which is seperate from the house and has a lock on the door. I have power water and cable out there so its fine but they are still giving me a heck of a time. Let me know if you guys have any better ideas. Worst part is city and county ordinances dont find these snakes dangerous. And I have no requirements to register them or have a permit. The worst part is we originally got a snake for our Son (we adopted him from fostercare) and he is doing a bang up job of taking care of the snake the added responsibility has been great for him. He did a ton of research before hand and takes great care of his snake.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.a...e=388-148-0175

They are not very snake friendly in Washington State, anyone owning ball pythons in Clark county either keeps their snakes hidden or they spend the money to license them properly, or face fines and removal of said snakes if they are caught with them.
Good old Washington State...
The only way I know of to legally own ball pythons in Clark county is to have an exotic pet license, it may be a state law but I'm not sure.

Clark County charges a $100 exotic pet license fee PER YEAR PER SNAKE if you do not have a state business license.
If you have a state business license then you only need one exotic pet license to cover the whole collection.
It is also illegal to breed ball pythons in Clark County without a state business license, this also may be a state law. (I'd know if I stayed in Washington, thankfully I left the state, lol.

I have to believe most ball python owners in Clark County are possessing them illegally according to local exotic pet laws, very few people have permits filed in Clark county(According to AC)

ln Austraila ball pythons boas corn snakes we have never been aloud any of that but still thousands of people own them knowing the risk of a 30grand find for haveing like 4 BP or even jail time you guys just need to think how lucky you are to even get to own them freely.:)

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Originally Posted by pythonboy1212

ln Austraila ball pythons boas corn snakes we have never been aloud any of that but still thousands of people own them knowing the risk of a 30grand find for haveing like 4 BP or even jail time you guys just need to think how lucky you are to even get to own them freely.:)

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With the problem south florida is having with it's wild snake population/infestion, I don't blame them. Unfortunately, it's irresponsible pet owners world wide that cause such strict restrictions on the hobby.

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They are not very snake friendly in Washington State, anyone owning ball pythons in Clark county either keeps their snakes hidden or they spend the money to license them properly, or face fines and removal of said snakes if they are caught with them.
Good old Washington State...
The only way I know of to legally own ball pythons in Clark county is to have an exotic pet license, it may be a state law but I'm not sure.

Clark County charges a $100 exotic pet license fee PER YEAR PER SNAKE if you do not have a state business license.
If you have a state business license then you only need one exotic pet license to cover the whole collection.
It is also illegal to breed ball pythons in Clark County without a state business license, this also may be a state law. (I'd know if I stayed in Washington, thankfully I left the state, lol.

I have to believe most ball python owners in Clark County are possessing them illegally according to local exotic pet laws, very few people have permits filed in Clark county(According to AC)

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Sounds like a crappy situation man =\ I feel for ya. Only real way to get around that is to petition some one to change the law; but good luck with such a mundane problem in light of everything else our country and states are going through right now. I'd write a few letters/emails to the higher ups in each department though, see what their thoughts on it are, and decide from there what to do. You'd be surprised what you can do if you just simply ask them how they feel on a topic lol.

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Originally Posted by Simple Man

This is in my state! It's so cool here that it would be impossible for an animal to survive even the fall. There's a reason I don't let people know about my animals and definitely don't get AC involved with anything. Scary times ahead.

Regards,

B

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yeah, mine too, just outside of seattle area. people freak out over nothing now days though.:please:

Those damn snakes. They always find a way onto planes....

Oklahoma is pretty lax. You can own almost anything, and you can go collect wild reptiles as well. There's certain species that had regulations on them or are protected, but for the most part everything is open. All you need is a standard hunting license.