It's illegal to own my ball python/ Getting my ball python taken away

I'm kind of just posting this to maybe get some advice and just to vent. I got my first ever ball python a few months ago and I'm now really attached to her. But I live in Delaware so you are required to apply for a permit through the department of agriculture. So I called the them before I even got her and asked about everything and this guy said everything was good and I was fine to have her and all I had to do was apply for a permit. I know now I probably should have waited to get the feedback before I got her. But I told this guy I was probably going to get her before I applied for the permit because it said that was allowed and he said that was fine. I'm now getting an email that I am not allowed to have her and I must get rid of her or they will fine me $100-$1000. So far I haven't been able to figure out any sort of way to be able to keep her. What is really idiotic is the county 10 minutes away from me is allowed to have constrictor snakes but I'm not. The other thing that terrifies me is the fact that they might actually kill her if they have to take her away. It said they could "dispose" of the animal so I'm assuming that's what it meant. And there is no way I'm letting that happen. So far I can't find anyone who will be able to take her. So if anyone happens to know where I could find her a good home in Delaware it'd be greatly appreciated. I've kind of given up on being able to keep her since it seems like there really is nothing I can do. But I'm hoping for the best. Also one of their reasons on why ball pythons are dangerous is that if my house were to catch on fire then my snake would be a danger to a fireman somehow.

The nanny state strikes again. Good luck finding a home for your animal. Get out and vote and get the idiots out of government.

Always get names, job titles, office locations, and jot down the time and date, and convo. etc, when dealing with .gov. Find out if there is an on-line source for the info. you are given, so you can check the interpretation.

I'm NOT suggesting anything illegal, but now that you are in this mess, find out what your rights are. Are they going to search your house to be sure you don't have one? Exactly WHAT happens next? They have to be accountable too, and you did your due diligence by calling and checking.

Sorry to learn you are going through this.

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Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

The nanny state strikes again. Good luck finding a home for your animal. Get out and vote and get the idiots out of government.

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Ha! If voting worked, it would be illegal.
Our overloards are SElected, not Elected.

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Originally Posted by distaff

Ha! If voting worked, it would be illegal.
Our overloards are SElected, not Elected.

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There is at least some truth to that, but it is the choice of the individual to be a sheep or not.

My bets are on people waking up, and getting educated. Thank God for the Internet. Citizen journalists, all the informative political/economic commentary on YouTube (yeah, I know they all just lost ad revenue...they will figure something else out, Patreon, etc.). When I was growing up, ALL we had was MSM; reading the Economist, or Foreign Affairs, was considered a big step up (and guess who owns them - simply a more expensive source of mis-information). Finally people are getting real news. Lots of MIllennials taking up the challenge. (Everyone in my age group and older makes fun of them, but that is not what I'm seeing.)

I think we have a brief chance to turn things around, but nothing is certain. The old round every two years of the good cop/bad cop uni-party bread and circus was NOT working.

Anyway, hoping for the best.
Apologies for the rant and the thread drift.

Where are you at I have had this issue too. I know some of the regulations Pm me and i will give you my cell and can talk about it.

Do what you can to find a new home and know your rights, don't let them in your house without a warrant if it comes to that.

I was checking my emails to get the reply this guy sent me. Because I emailed him asking him if it was alright to get my ball python before i sent out the permit. And he told me it was fine in the email but I can no longer find that email. So it seems he deleted it.

It would still be in your email...... Check your trashcan.

Haylie,
I would call these people and ask to talk to someone who deals with permits. It is possible that you can hold onto your snake until you are approved for one. Also, find out if the fine is a one time thing or accumulative. Good luck with your BP, I hope everything goes well. And dispose usually means either euthanasia or giving the animal to someone with a permit/shelter. You can ask about that too.

I am sorry to read this.

If all else fails and you are truly at the point that the state is about to take your snake and "dispose" of it, please know you can send it to me in Florida. Even temporarily.

I hope you keep your snake. Perhaps someone else, closer to you, can help as well. Just giving you a final option of someone out in the world that can provide a happy home, if you need it. Good luck!

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Originally Posted by rock

I am sorry to read this.

If all else fails and you are truly at the point that the state is about to take your snake and "dispose" of it, please know you can send it to me in Florida. Even temporarily.

I hope you keep your snake. Perhaps someone else, closer to you, can help as well. Just giving you a final option of someone out in the world that can provide a happy home, if you need it. Good luck!

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Thanks so much for the offer. I really appreciate it. I might be contacting you if things go bad.

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Originally Posted by FlynnTheBP

Haylie,
I would call these people and ask to talk to someone who deals with permits. It is possible that you can hold onto your snake until you are approved for one. Also, find out if the fine is a one time thing or accumulative. Good luck with your BP, I hope everything goes well. And dispose usually means either euthanasia or giving the animal to someone with a permit/shelter. You can ask about that too.

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They've already denied the permit and the fine will be accumulative. Thanks for telling me what dispose means though. Although I'm going to try to find a home before they can take her away.

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Originally Posted by Haylie

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Thanks so much for the offer. I really appreciate it. I might be contacting you if things go bad.

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You're welcome. I do hope you find a solution to keep your snake close to you!

Did they say why the permit was denied? Can you fight and re-apply?

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Originally Posted by Lizardlicks

Did they say why the permit was denied? Can you fight and re-apply?

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They denied it because in my county constrictor snakes are deemed dangerous. So I'm not allowed to have a ball python period. But they never informed me of that when I was applying for the permit even though I told them where I was located before hand. However the county about 10 minutes away from me allows constrictor snakes. And then another county somewhat nearby only allows you to have constrictor snakes if you live on an acre or more.

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Originally Posted by Haylie

They denied it because in my county constrictor snakes are deemed dangerous. So I'm not allowed to have a ball python period. But they never informed me of that when I was applying for the permit even though I told them where I was located before hand. However the county about 10 minutes away from me allows constrictor snakes. And then another county somewhat nearby only allows you to have constrictor snakes if you live on an acre or more.

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Per the state regulation, you are allowed to appeal within 10 days of your written permit refusal. Of course, whether that's useful depends on the exact wording of your county regulation. Also, if you bought your snake in state, the seller was required to verify that you had a permit.

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Originally Posted by Haylie

And then another county somewhat nearby only allows you to have constrictor snakes if you live on an acre or more.

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New Castle's do look silly, but it looks like they wrote it for farm animals and then just shoved in "exotics" and "wild" and called it a day. Lazy, problematic way to write regs but it happens I guess.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation! :tears: I hope we get to hear a more positive update soon.

Are they really going to bust down your door looking for a snake....? Don't let ANYONE in without a warrant that is clearly displayed and handed to you. Doesn't matter if its your state's game commission or state police, they all need a warrant.

Appeal the decision, state your case clearly, give the names, dates and times you spoke to people already about the issue. That email can't be deleted on your side, unless you did it.

Worst case scenario find a way to get the snake to me...I live in PA about 6-7 hours outside of your state...I can hold it for you until you either get sorted out or otherwise...

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Originally Posted by predatorkeeper87

Are they really going to bust down your door looking for a snake....? Don't let ANYONE in without a warrant that is clearly displayed and handed to you. Doesn't matter if its your state's game commission or state police, they all need a warrant.

Appeal the decision, state your case clearly, give the names, dates and times you spoke to people already about the issue. That email can't be deleted on your side, unless you did it.

Worst case scenario find a way to get the snake to me...I live in PA about 6-7 hours outside of your state...I can hold it for you until you either get sorted out or otherwise...

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They're acting like they're going to but I spoke to the commissioner and he said it's unlikely they will actually barge into my house and take my snake. The commissioner is going to try and help me the best he can and so far it seems like I might be able to keep her. Thanks for the offer. If things go south then I might be contacting you.

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Originally Posted by Haylie

They're acting like they're going to but I spoke to the commissioner and he said it's unlikely they will actually barge into my house and take my snake. The commissioner is going to try and help me the best he can and so far it seems like I might be able to keep her. Thanks for the offer. If things go south then I might be contacting you.

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If they waste manpower coming to your door to seize that animal...I'd be moving to a new state.

I hope you get to keep the animal.