An Orange man got in some hot water after police, working on a tip found him in possession of a fresh water crocodile in a fish tank. The mane claims his friend, who he only knows by “James” left the animal at his house and that he had tried to report it to the RSPCA but said that representatives of the RSPCA did not believe him when he called. The Crocodile was turned over to the National Parks and Wildlife Service and its believed it will be homed in a wildlife park somewhere.
Category Archives: Laws
Ball Python arrested.
32yo Xavier Blaze apparently used his baby Ball Python to threaten Police as they tried question him about noise at his home. They report that he had it around his neck and waved it in their faces. Base, a former solder has a history of mental illness for which he is seeking help for. Sentencing has been delayed until next month. I wander if the Python will get probation, what do you think?
Officer FIRED! over Cobra pictures
Animal Control Officer Rich DuBarton was fired Friday for releasing pictures and the video you see above to the media. “I guess he didn’t like someone stealing his thunder,” Said DuBarton about the incident. He was yelled at over the phone for releasing the picture and then on Friday received a termination letter listing no reason for the termination. He also claims that Carol Wagner director of the Health dept told officers last year not to warn resident about 5 cases of rabies. DuBarton also said “I’m an animal control officer,” DuBarton said. “I’m supposed to educate the public. No one ever told me I wasn’t allowed to.” He is also a certified police K9 instructor and Animal Control Officer for Bergen County.
The arrest of Chuck Hurd
Well unfortunately we have to get back on this topic but there is a great injustice going on in the reptile world right now and the media is just feeding on it. We are setting the record strait right now and saying that Chuck Hurd had NOTHING to do with the death of Wade Wesbrook and in fact authorities have made NO connection between the two. For some reason all the media outlets are saying he was arrested in connection with Wade’s death, simply not true. On the other hand Chuck was arrested on the illegal transport of snakes but Daily Reptile News spoke with Chuck on the phone and he explained the situation as being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was coming home from an expo where the snakes are legal to his home where the snakes are legal and stopped off to visit a friend in a state where unfortunately the snakes were not legal. From our experience we expect once authorities investigate the circumstances all charges will be dropped.
The bad part of the story is according to quotes state authorities say this is just what could be the tip of the iceberg on a larger investigation into the illegal keeping of exotic snakes in Tennessee. Look out folks I see more regulations coming.
Unfortunately at press time no media outlets that are spreading the rumors would return my calls.
Video of Cobra that Bit its owner.
Man hospitalized after pet venomoid Cobra bite.
25 year old Eric Bortz Was hospitalized after being bitten by a pet Cobra of which he was told the venom sacks had been removed. After the bite he called the seller to confirm the sack were removed but it was soon apparent that he had in fact been envenomated. Other than a Cobra he also kept a Copperhead and a Timber Rattle Snake at the house “There’s no way a cobra would be legal in New Jersey,’’ said Larry Hajna, a spokesman for the state Division of Fish and Wildlife. At last report Eric was in Critical Condition.
Lost Rock Python found after 2 years on the lamb
Manny people I am sure have heard of the 14′ long Rock Python found in Florida. Well the owner has been found but apparently may not be able to afford to get the snake back. Lucky for the animal and everyone involved the owner followed the law and had the snake micro chipped and that microchip led authorizes back to the Tarpon Springs Aquarium where owner Scott Konger tells a tale of his Rock Python that got out nearly 2 years ago. Scott however may be ditching the snake as he says to get it back he will have to secure a permit and pay $50 per day for the shelter which could add up to $500-$1,000 if the permit process takes a long time. Scott says “That is too steep for him in this economy” And that my friends is the blow that broke the camels back as far as I am concerned. Scott says he thinks someone opened the enclosure holding the Alligator and snake, when he got there the Alligator was still there but the snake was gone so here are my questions
#1- Were you housing an Alligator and Rock Python together or was there a divider and simply one door that opened both enclosures?
#2- If yes why?
#3-Why were there not locks in place?
#4- if there were why was there no surveillance?
#5- Where were the people that were suppose to be there to ensure that these animals stayed safe themselves and also stayed out of our eco system?
As far as I feel now if you are not willing to cover the cost to get YOUR animal back that YOUR lack of education and or security and or ignorance caused to get out in the first place then YOU should NOT be able to keep said animals anymore case closed. Am I wrong here people?