Cobra in North Carolina

[m00noodle]

There's currently an escaped pet zebra cobra in Raleigh, NC. The news is frustratingly informing viewers that the snake can spit venom up to 9 feet, but leaving out the fact that the expelled venom is only harmful if it comes into contact with one's eyes. The situation is being handled by the police and animal control, which confuses me since NC has many reptile experts who are trained in how to properly handle venomous snakes. It's currently legal to own venomous snakes here as long as their enclosures are "escape proof", something that I'm not sure how authorities would be able to monitor. A lot of people are saying that ownership of venomous snakes should be illegal here completely . I'm curious about the opinions of venomous snake owners on this situation so I'm starting this thread.

[The-ReptiRanch]

Ugh... here we go again

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[bcr229]

Article:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/zebra-c...orth-carolina/

NC law regarding venomous and large constrictor snakes:
https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegisla...Article_55.pdf

So, it looks like the owner, who is known, could get charged due to the escape (as always DA's have discretion), and the owner would face additional criminal charges and civil liabilities if the snake harms someone. I don't see a reason for a law change.

[Hugsplox]

Article:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/zebra-c...orth-carolina/

NC law regarding venomous and large constrictor snakes:
https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegisla...Article_55.pdf

So, it looks like the owner, who is known, could get charged due to the escape (as always DA's have discretion), and the owner would face additional criminal charges and civil liabilities if the snake harms someone. I don't see a reason for a law change.

Agreed, seems like the accountability is there, I don't see any need to mess with anything.

[Bogertophis]

But IF it bites & injures (or kills) someone, that may change some minds & bring challenges to the legal issues. Keeping my fingers crossed for a good outcome all around, too.

[bcr229]

The cobra was captured earlier today with no injuries to people or the wayward critter.

[nikkubus]

Glad that nobody got hurt. I'm chiming in late and don't own hots, but I think it's a responsibility we must take as owners to make sure there are no escapes because these things can so quickly become bans that effect everyone who was doing things correctly. No different for the big snakes. Average people would much rather we don't have any rights to own these sorts of animals so we have to tread carefully and be responsible.

[Bogertophis]

Best outcome!

[mdb730]

Looks like he will be charged which he should be, but now "Raleigh City Council Member David Knight said he plans to introduce an ordinance restricting ownership of wild animals, including venomous snakes, following the cobra’s escape." Looks like USARK will have their hands full.

https://nypost.com/2021/07/08/north-...-charges-cops/

[Bogertophis]

Looks like he will be charged which he should be, but now "Raleigh City Council Member David Knight said he plans to introduce an ordinance restricting ownership of wild animals, including venomous snakes, following the cobra’s escape." Looks like USARK will have their hands full.

https://nypost.com/2021/07/08/north-...-charges-cops/

Sad reminder: when we don't "police" ourselves, others will do it for us.

So now some 75 of his other snakes have been confiscated- the price of his irresponsibility is paid not only by him but by the animals he kept. They may or may not be re-homed to competent hands after this. And others keeping or wanting to keep snakes will now be forever affected by more regulations & laws, most likely, due to his negligence.