ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (DRN) – The state of New Mexico removed three young children from a Northeast Heights Albuquerque home Monday as cops and city workers removed more than 50 snakes and other reptiles. A city worker described the home as “disgusting.” A neighbor called the situation “creepy.”
Albuquerque animal control officers pulled snakes, lizards, and rats from a home near Tramway and Montgomery boulevards.
Residents of Las Kivas Apartments where the reptiles were found said they had no idea their neighbors were hoarding cold-blooded animals and their prey.
“This is animal hoarding at its worst,” said Albuquerque animal control spokesman Rick Dereyes.
Dereyes said more than 50 snakes – including boa constrictors and pythons with some reaching 6-feet in length – six lizards, plus some rats were all found caged. There were also dead reptiles and rodents, plus feces and urine in many rooms of the home, according to city inspectors.
This problem was only discovered after a teacher smelled urine on one of the three children and reported it to the Children Youth and Families Department. CYFD checked out the home and called police. CYFD pulled the children, ages 3 to 8, from the home. They are currently staying with relatives. The city said the parents could face animal neglect charges.
The Safe City Strike Force inspected and shut down the home, calling it “substandard.” Animal control seized the animals. Animal control said it may place the reptiles up for adoption soon.