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Snakes returned to NC owner

Submitted by WWAY on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 12:49pm.READ MORE:
WAYNESVILLE, N.C. -- An alligator seized from a pet store in Waynesville will have a new home, as will four snakes if they're confirmed to be Eastern diamondbacks, an endangered species. The Asheville-Citizen Times reported that most of the nearly 100 snakes seized from Green Desert Reptiles in Waynesville were returned to the owner, Allen Rivera, who paid $300 in fines. He pleaded guilty to violating a county ordinance. Haywood County prohibits the possession of venomous snakes. The snakes returned to Rivera include exotic vipers, cobras, boa constrictors and pythons. Rivera runs an Internet-based reptile sales business and took the animals to a business he owns in South Carolina. He could not be reached for comment. The alligator and the four snakes were taken Thursday to the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Exotic Animals: Serious Business Needs Tight Controls

Submitted by jonathan5002 (not verified) on Sat, 08/15/2009 - 10:58pm.
Florida Everglades: Over 175,000 Burmese Pythons are now endangering the delicate environment in southern Florida because these dangerous predators are rapidly reproducing and devouring native wildlife and fish, and they pose serious threats to people and pets who live in proximity of the Glades. These snakes are notorious for suffocating and eating people as well. Snakes escaping into the wild following property damage from hurricanes and dissatisfied owners of these animals who dump them carelessly after they have grown too large are the major reasons why these lethal predators are endangering the Glades ecosystem, pushing the swamp towards a major catastrophe. If our state does not get a grip on these exotic-pet dealers, North Carolina will face a similar fate. We cannot allow careless owners and profit-seeking dealers to endanger the citizens of this state with non-native species that are more trouble than they are worth.
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