There is no permit required to own a large constrictor in WV. The cite the owner received is no different than one would get for a dog, livestock, etc. roaming at large whether it escaped, broke a fence, was permitted to roam free, etc.
Local herpers have been following this story since it broke a few weeks ago and there are a lot of holes in it. There are people questioning whether there even is a snake as there are no pictures from the owner available, we don't know if it's a retic or a burm, or if this is some sort of joke/hoax, or if it was designed to get larger constrictors added to the DWA list since the DWA Committee typically meets in June.
Unfortunately local LE/AC has already indicated that if they get ahold of the snake it will not be returned to the owner, it will be put down where it is found. The locals know this so if a herper finds it, he will likely never inform LE and keep his mouth shut.
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