Saturday, September 19, 2009

Snakes taken from Reeds Spring raid euthanized

By: CORY DE VERA


Numerous infected snakes were euthanized Thursday at a property in Stone County and other animals were seized, according to Jeff McRoy, statewide investigator with the Humane Society of Missouri.

Three adults were arrested and a 3-year-old girl was taken into protective custody after a poisonous cobra, a suspected wolf hybrid and several non-poisonous constrictor snakes were found in the home, said Stone County Sheriff Richard Hill.

At least one alligator and two monkeys were taken from the property because conditions were not conducive to their good health. Several other animals, such as exotic fish that were living in tanks and some cats, will be allowed to stay.

McRoy said the owner of the animals was a collector. "It's similar to a hoarder-type mentality," said McRoy. "His passion was poisonous snakes."

The raided property is 45 Friday Drive off Talking Rock Road in Reeds Spring. Officials also found about a pound of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia in a basket near the home.

In a building, there were about 20 containers of dead snakes and 25 to 30 containers of live snakes. The snakes were dying because of a virus, said McRoy..." More