Cowlitz County cracks down on snakes

[purplemuffin]

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?

[kitedemon]

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.

[SoFarAway]

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.

[JRSCB16A2]

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

[Emaris]

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

Same with Montana

[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.

[The Hedgehog]

"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

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.

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.

+1 to all of this.

[RestlessRobie]

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

[snakesRkewl]

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)

[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.