Ohio: Video of kids playing with alligator, pythons at daycare prompts investigation

OHIO -- A video posted on a Ohio child care center’s website of kids playing with an alligator and a python has started an investigation into Captive Born Reptiles.

The ODA says the undocumented animals were brought to the daycare illegally.

 

According to a search warrant, ODA received a complaint of an alligator and a 12-foot constrictor snake being handled by children.

Terry Wilkins, the owner of the reptiles and Captive Born Reptiles, is known showing off his animals to local schools.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture took five rattlesnakes from Terry Wilkins’ home in the 300 block of Leaning Fence Court in Pickerington.

Six constrictors more than 12 feet in length were taken from Captive Born Reptiles on Morse Road.

In Ohio, snakes longer than 12 feet require a permit. Venomous snakes also require a permit. The state requires owners to show the animals are cared for, hold adequate liability insurance for venomous snakes and provide an action plan if the snake escapes.

Mark Bruce, communications director for the Ohio Department of Agriculture, said the seized snakes were not in good health. He said the agency is working with reptile experts at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to provide care for the snakes, which were not kept at an adequate temperature and suffered from skin issues, including mites, officials said.

The snakes are being housed at a temporary facility in Reynoldsburg. If Wilkins does not get the snakes back after a hearing, they will be sent to a reptile sanctuary.

OBSTRUCTION
Authorities believe Wilkins took additional reptiles out of state to his pet store Newport, Kentucky.

A TV station in Cincinnati caught up Wilkins in Newport.

Wilkins claims the agents intentionally left 12 snakes in the recent freezing cold during the search warrant, resulting in their deaths, so he could not get a permit for the snakes.

As for the alligators, he says they were taken out of state “for their own safety.”

Wilkins will face a misdemeanor charge for each animal he has not registered.

TERRY WILKINS' FAMILY'S VERSION OF EVENTS
Keiko Wilkins at Captive Born Reptiles posted on Facebook January 25, 2017

Sorry for the delayed post but here is the video of the Captive Born Reptiles raid that occurred on January 17, 2017. Terry will be making a follow-up video to explain how the situation stands currently. I would like to restate that the Capital Area Humane Society, Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Fairfield County Humane Society have had over thirty people through the my family home and reptile store (Captive Born Reptiles). With over 500 animals within both of these locations, not one single citation has been given out for a sick animal, inhumane treatment of an animal or unsanitary conditions. Those thirty people including four vets spent over seventeen hours going through our property. One of the ODA’s vets, Dennis Summers did steal two anacondas from CBR. He is currently under investigation by the state inspector general.

  

 

(WNCN - January 27, 2017)

Singapore: Police contact rescue group to save python stuck inside a PVC pipe

SINGAPORE -- One morning, the Singapore Police Force alerted our rescue team to an immobile reticulated python stuck in a drain at Pasir Ris. Upon arrival, we were touched by the concern shown for the python by the residents - and promptly named the snake Mr. Ris.

As we were unable to rescue Mr. Ris easily, we needed to call the Town Council for assistance. A Town Council employee was soon deployed to drill and hack the concrete, so that we could safely remove Mr. Ris from the drain.

 

As the hacking progressed, we realised that Mr. Ris was stuck inside a PVC pipe within the drain.

Thankfully, with only minor scratches, Mr. Ris was safely rescued and relocated, thanks to the combined efforts of the residents and the Pasir Ris Town Council.

Please remember to call our 24-hour ACRES Wildlife Rescue Hotline at 9783 7782 for assistance if you see any wild animal in Singapore in distress.

Have a pleasant weekend everyone!

(ACRES: Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Singapore) - June 16, 2016)

Missouri: Abandoned snake, iguana get warm-blooded attention from animal control officer

031816-snakeMO-1

MISSOURI -- Police calls always have the potential for an experience outside of the routine, and Animal Control Officer Glenn Palade had one of those calls on Wednesday.

The landlord at 309 Fourth Street in Monett investigated a vehicle left at one of his properties. Going inside the apartment, he found the place in disheveled condition, the renter absent, and two pets left behind.

The pets were also unusual -- a small python and an iguana.

Enter Palade, who removed the animals for better accommodations.

Monett Animal Control Officer Glenn Palade removed
a small python apparently abandoned in an apartment on
Wednesday. Murray Bishoff times-news@monett-times.com

The city's animal control vehicle does not have a dedicated section for reptiles, but Palade knew how to manage. The snake found shelter in a tied pillow case.

The disposition of the owner was not known at the time the animals came into the city's custody. A colleague of the landlord, who discovered the situation, speculated the animals had not been fed for some time.

Palade placed the snake in the cab of his truck to provide extra warmth while he figured out his next move.

The snake did not seem to mind the attention, he said.

Officer Scott Landreth issued orders to have the abandoned car, with temporary plates, towed from the premises if the owner did not move it in 96 hours.

(Monett Times - March 18, 2016)

Australia: Mother finds a 9-foot python biting into her young son's HEAD after it slithered into his bed and she was woken up by his terrified screams

AUSTRALIA -- A mother who woke to her son's blood-curdling screams found him lying in bed with a large python biting down on his head.

The boy's mother, Tammy, ripped the three meter (9 feet) snake off her young son's face on Thursday night after the reptile managed to slither into their Macksville, northern NSW home.

Tyler was asleep on the top of a set of bunk beds when the snake slithered into his sheets and woke him up with a nasty surprise bite.

The snake continued to bite him on the hand before lunging at his face, biting it a number of times before the boy's mother came into the room.

The snake was killed by a family friend who posed proudly for a photo. The man is holding the snake above his head in the photo - but it is so long it drapes on the ground at his feet.

The photo of the dead snake and one of the young boy's head injury was posted on Facebook and has attracted more than 2000 shares in 24 hours.

The python was not a pet, and had made its way into the house. The young boy is doing well, according to the Facebook post.

(Daily mail - Feb 23, 2016)

California: Five foot python found abandoned in its aquarium inside dumpster

CALIFORNIA -- A 5-foot python was found in a dumpster in Fontana Wednesday morning.

Fontana Animal Services officers received a call around 5:30 a.m. regarding a python found inside of an aquarium left in an apartment complex dumpster in the 16900 block of Reed Street.

The video clip is funny because Carlos Lozano, who found the snake inside a fish tank dumped into the dumpster said when he called police to tell them about it, the dispatcher thought he was saying "pipe bomb" when he was saying "python" so he had to clear up the confusion and tell them, "No, it's a snake!" Heh.

 

 

When officers arrived, they found the python and took it to the Western Riverside Animal Shelter. Animal Services Supervisor Jamie Simmons said the snake was unresponsive and cold to the touch. It was wrapped in a warm towel and then placed inside a warm office room.

Within an hour, the reptile responded well to the warmth. Reptiles can die from exposure to extremely cold temperatures.

 

The snake will not be up for adoption because he is an exotic animal, and it may likely go to a rescue facility. The Fontana Police Department is looking into the incident and asks anyone with information to call (909) 356-TIPS.

Anyone who leaves an animal to die in a dumpster or displays animal cruelty faces felony charges, according to California law.

(ABC7 - Oct 28, 2015)

Snakes, rabbits among 2 dozen animals rescued from vacant Gillespie home

ILLINOIS -- After discovering over two dozen animals in a vacant Gillespie home, police called "The Bat Guy" Ron Scheller to rescue the animals from the home.

Neighbors called police to report broken windows and signs of a break-in at the home, which is when they discovered the animals.

  

Animals in the home included snakes, rabbits, rats, hamsters and mice, all without any food or water.

I think these poor little animals were being kept to feed the snake.s :(

The home was reportedly filled with garbage and officials believe it had been vacant for approximately one month.

 

One of the animals found, an Albino Reticulated Python, was dehydrated and in need of some care, but is expected to be okay.

Scheller said he and LaMarr Young, who specializes in snake rescue, were able to remove the snakes and other animals from the home.

(KMOV.com - Aug 6, 2015)

Emmaus man, Jason Wieder, who kept dozens of birds, dogs, dead snakes in home admits to animal cruelty

PENNSYLVANIA -- The Emmaus man who neglected more than 50 birds, snakes and dogs that lived with him pleaded guilty last month to a dozen animal cruelty charges.

District Judge Donna Butler on Jan. 26 sentenced Jason Wieder to pay $9,157 in restitution to the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty, court officials said Wednesday. The organization cared for birds and dogs seized in September 2014 from the defendant's home in the first block of South Cherry Street. All of the snakes authorities found were dead.

The judge also ordered Wieder to pay $600 in fines -- $50 for each animal cruelty charge -- and $153 in court costs, officials said. He has until the end of February to pay the restitution, fines and fees, officials said.

Wieder, 35, kept three huskies, a mix of six boa constrictors and pythons and approximately 40 birds, including cockatiels, cockatoos and parrots, authorities say. He failed to provide clean living conditions, access to clean water and veterinary care for the animals.

The Pennsylvania SPCA searched Wieder's home and found the animals Sept. 16 after receiving a tip from Emmaus code enforcement officials, authorities say. Wieder faced 67 counts of animal cruelty, but most of the charges were withdrawn in exchange for his guilty plea.

"The PSPCA is pleased that Mr. ­­­­Weider has accepted responsibility for his actions and that these animals have found justice," Pennsylvania SPCA CEO Jerry Buckley said in a statement. "The PSPCA is the only animal welfare agency in the state capable of performing this life-saving work.  While we mainly deal with dogs and cats in cruelty cases, it's not unusual for us to be involved with investigating and prosecuting birds and other animals.

The majority of birds taken from Wieder's home have recovered after receiving medical treatment and are being adopted through a Pennsylvania SPCA partnership with Pets Plus Natural, a regional chain of pet supply stores, organization spokeswoman Elizabeth Romaine said Wednesday.

The huskies, now neutered and spayed, have been returned to Wieder, but the Pennsylvania SPCA has inspection rights to ensure the dogs' health and well being for the next three years, she said. Also, the defendant is prohibited from owning additional animals for three years.
(LeHigh Valley Live - Feb 18, 2015)

Earlier:

• Emmaus man, Jason Wieder, admits animal cruelty, hit with $10K in fines

Emmaus man, Jason Wieder, admits animal cruelty, hit with $10K in fines

PENNSYLVANIA -- An Emmaus man who kept six dead snakes and dozens of live exotic birds in a home previously condemned by the borough has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges stemming from a September 2014 raid by the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals..

Jason D. Wieder, 35, of the unit block of South Cherry Street, will be required to pay more than $10,000 in fines and costs after pleading guilty Monday at District Court in Emmaus to a dozen counts of animal cruelty.

As part of the plea, Wieder was ordered to pay $9,157 to the PSPCA for the care of dozens of birds and animals seized from the property, in addition to a $50 fine for each of the animal cruelty offenses.

  

"The PSPCA is pleased that Mr. Wieder has accepted responsibility for his actions and that these animals have found justice," Pennsylvania SPCA CEO Jerry Buckley said in a press release.

"While we mainly deal with dogs and cats in cruelty cases, it's not unusual for us to be involved with investigating and prosecuting birds and other animals."

A PSPCA officer served a warrant at the property in September, eventually seizing 37 cockatiels, 10 cockatiel eggs, six dead snakes, three parrots, three cockatoos and three dogs, according to court records.

The dead snakes — boa constrictors and pythons — were kept in plastic containers.

The SPCA said the birds that were seized have received medical treatment and have "fully recovered." The agency said that the birds will be taken by a rescue group and eventually placed in permanent homes.

Wieder's three Huskies will be returned to him, but the SPCA has the right to inspect the animals for the next three years to ensure they are being treated humanely. They also will be spayed or neutered.

SPCA officials visited the property after the borough's code enforcement officer inspected it for code violations.

Borough Manager Shane Pepe said Emmaus has filed a civil court action against Wieder over the property. The borough maintains that the building should be demolished or repaired.

"We have condemned the home numerous times for lack of utilities and are concerned about the physical structure of the home," Pepe said last year.

The property is in an alley near Seven Generations Charter School.

(Allentown Morning Call - Jan 27, 2015)

Wilsonville Police Arrest 2 on drug possession, animal neglect charges; Python Rescued

OREGON -- At about 9 p.m. on Sept. 24, 2014, deputies with Wilsonville Police responded to a report of suspicious persons in a vehicle at the Chevron Station near 95th and Elligsen.

During the investigation, the deputies learned that the two occupants of the car were on their way from Washington to San Bernadino, CA to enter a drug-treatment program. However, both were found to be in alleged possession of drugs, and were arrested for drug possession.

A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a snake that appeared to be in distress.

The deputies contacted a reptile expert from International Reptile Rescue who responded to the scene. The expert was able to tell the deputies that the ball python was in distress and provided specific indicators of the failure to properly care for the python that were putting the animal's life in danger. The expert described the snake's condition as being "severely neglected."

This resulted in the snake's owner being charged with Animal Neglect in the 2nd degree.

The snake was placed in the care of the animal rescue agency.

Lacey Kiser, 22, of Marysville, WA was lodged at the Clackamas County Jail on a charge of possession of a controlled substance-- heroin.

  

Jacob Stoner, 19, of Arlington, WA was lodged at the Clackamas County Jail on charges of possession of a controlled substance--methamphetamine and animal neglect in the second degree.

Three Clackamas County cities -- Damascus, Happy Valley, and Wilsonville -- contract with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office to provide municipal police services.

(Clackamas County Sheriff - Sept 25, 2014)

Owner speaks after 11ft, 50lb python escapes from home

GEORGIA -- A local family is still in shock after an uninvited guest slithered toward their north Columbus home.

The family spoke exclusively with News Leader 9 to gain answers about a huge python they found trying to get through the back gate of their home on Raleigh Court.
 
"It was a loud hissing noise like, {makes noise}, it was super loud."

It was a sound unlike anything Caitlyn Burgess says she has ever heard before. She and her husband were letting their dog out in the backyard of their home when they noticed the python heading for their door step.

"It was coming through the fence and we see it's all white belly...and then we walk over and take a peek at it and notice that it is a giant snake," says Burgess.

Cellphone video of the capture sent to us by Jarrod's Affordable Wildlife Eviction in Columbus showed the owner, Jarrod Yasenchok, jumping over a chain-linked fence that separates the Burgess home from a wooded area.

He said it's unlike anything he's ever seen before.

"It looked like a sea serpent. It was just standing up looking and I said 'Oh my God."

 

 

 

Yasenchok put  the 11-foot, 50 lb python in a trash can and sealed it with rope.

Neighbors wondered if it's legal to have a snake that size in Columbus. They say it's an issue that can't be thrown away.

"It'll just get bigger. She has it in her house. It was scary," Burgess said.

Yasenchok said the snake belonged to a woman that lived about two blocks away. The woman told him she was on vacation and the snake must have gotten out when he as being fed by her sons. The snake was reported to have been out of his cage for at least two weeks.

According to city officials, it is not against the law to own pythons in Columbus. Georgia law only prohibits venomous snakes.

Although pythons are not venomous, they can still be very dangerous.

Burgess said she planned to snake-proof her home.


"Hopefully that snake will never get out again," Burgess added.

UPDATE TO STORY:
Melanie Chafin, the snake's owner, told News Leader 9 more about the snake:

"I wanted to set the story straight. It was my snake that was found. He did escape when we went on vacation. He did not escape while being fed by my sons. Right before we left the boys had watered the snake. Zeus has a double lock on his cage and my guess is that when they set the lock, the door was not pushed all the way to.

"I have owned snakes for over 30 years and this is the first breakout that we have had. I am very sorry that it happened and precautions have been taken to make sure that it doesn't happen again. Zeus is a captive bred and raised Burmese. My children and grandchildren handle him. He is very docile. But like any pet, he comes with warnings. Yes snakes can bite, so can dogs. This snake is very loved and is a member of our family. Just like any pet.

"At this time he is sick from being in the elements. I am very thankful to Jarrod for returning him. Had something have happened to him, it would have devastated our family. We are very responsible snake owners and this was truly a freak occurrence. Like I said we are taking precautions so that it will never happen again."

(WTVM - July 23, 2014)

School Teacher Convicted of Animal Abuse for Hoarding 400 Living, Dead Snakes

CALIFORNIA -- An elementary school teacher was convicted Thursday of animal abuse for hoarding and improperly housing over 400 snakes in his Santa Ana home.

William Frederick Buchman pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of animal abuse by a caretaker, according to a news release from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

He was immediately sentenced to three years formal probation and 100 hours of volunteer community service.

The 53-year-old was also required to undergo a 16-week animal neglect prevention program and was barred from owning, possessing, caring for, or living with any animal for five years.

In addition, the judge ordered Buchman to pay $17,000 in restitution for veterinary treatment and animal care, the release stated.

Buchman was arrested on January 29 by police investigating calls about a foul smell coming from his house.

When they went inside the home, authorities found 400 ball pythons. Many of the snakes had been neglected. At least 240 snakes were dead and were found in various stages of decomposition, police said.

Many of the surviving snakes were malnourished, dehydrated, and covered with mites and/or maggots. Buchman also had hundreds of live and dead mice he kept as food for the snakes, the D.A.’s office said.

All of the surviving pythons were adopted from rescue organizations.

(KTLA - July 10, 2014)

Earlier:

• "God awful" stench: Hundreds of pythons, mostly dead, found in elementary school teacher's home

"God awful" stench: Hundreds of pythons, mostly dead, found in elementary school teacher's home

CALIFORNIA -- An elementary school teacher was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty Wednesday after police found hundreds of mostly dead and dying ball pythons in his Santa Ana home, animal services officials said.

William Fredrick Buchman, a sixth grade teacher at Mariners Elementary School in Newport Beach, was taken into custody after police served a search warrant at his home, authorities said.

 

A substitute teacher has been called in to cover Buchman's class "until he resolves his personal matter," said Laura Boss, a spokeswoman for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, in a statement.

Shelly Rooney, a parent at Mariners, said Buchman has been a wonderful teacher at Mariners.

"I personally requested him as a teacher for the six years my son attended Mariners never having been granted him as a teacher," she said in an email to NBC4. "Mr. Buchman has always been a caring teacher and one who I would gladly be a character witness if called to do so."

Three years ago when his mother died, he broke down and cried when Rooney offered her condolences to him, she said. She was also an educator and would go to the school and read to the students in his class, Rooney said.

"His mother was a strong presence in his life," Rooney said.

Up to 400 snakes and snake carcasses were found in cages throughout the home in an environment that Santa Ana police said smelled "god-awful." More than half of the snakes were found dead, police said. They had not been fed and were covered in mites, police said.

Animal services officers wore special suits and masks to process the scene.

"There are all forms of decay," said Sondra Berg, an animal services supervisor at the Santa Ana Police Department. "From skeletons to just dead in the last few days. There is an infestation of rats and mice. They are running loose all over the house. There are rats and mice in plastic storage tubs that are actually canabalizing each other."

The front four rooms of the home were packed floor to ceiling with snake cages, officials said. Buchman was breeding the ball pythons to sell them, officials said.

The home, in the 2900 block of North Fernwood Drive, was also infested with mice and rats, police said.

Animal control first received complaints about the home one year ago when neighbors suspected Buchman was breeding snakes. At the time the snakes were healthy and animal services did not have a violation to allow them to seize the animals.

Four months ago, police and animal services were notified of a dead body smell coming from the home. After it was determined that it was actually a dead animal smell, animal services sought Buchman's cooperation to allow for a search of the home. When he refused, a warrant was obtained.

"This is a major case of neglect," said Sam Makki, executive director of Reptile Rescue Orange County. "It is all very sad. These snakes are completely harmless and make great pets, but it is clear that the owner hardly provided any care for them."

Ball pythons are known for being docile. They rarely bite and curl into a tight ball when threatened.
While there used to be a market for these animals oversaturation has caused prices for ball pythons to drop from $1,500 to $200.

The surviving snakes from Buchman's home are being transported to a veterinary hospital where they will be given necessary medication and nourishment.

"I think in the end we will be able to find some loving homes for these snakes," Makki said. "They just need some love and care."

(nbc los angeles - Jan 29, 2014)

Tennessee: Five Expensive Exotic Snakes Found Dead In Storage Building

TENNESSEE -- A mother and daughter got a big shock when they discovered five of their family pets dead.

It appears someone viciously kill their five exotic snakes.

The family lives east of Dyersburg, Tenn.

The snakes were valued at $5,000, but the emotional loss can't be measured.

Leslie Peevyhouse can't hold back tears, thinking of her five exotic pet snakes, killed by someone over the weekend.

"It's like losing five family members all at once. How could somebody do it?" Peevyhouse said.

The five snakes were found dead Sunday in a heated storage building behind her home.

"The day before, when I had come out and checked on them, they were all doing great," said Peevyhouse.

Saturday was the last time Leslie saw her four ball pythons and one boa constrictor "alive and well"  in separate plastic containers.

Sunday when she checked on them, she was shocked by what she found.

"My biggest ball python was getting ready to shed, so I checked on her first. And when I picked her up, her head just kind of flopped," said Peevyhouse.

She said it appeared the snakes' necks were broken and one of them had puncture wounds in its throat.

But Leslie can't understand why a corn snake named "Rollie" wasn't harmed at all.

While many folks would cringe at the thought of snake's as family pets, Leslie's daughter, 17-year-old Kucera Hayden, looked at the slithering reptiles in a different way.

"They were my pride and joy too. It's hard," said Hayden.

 

She's hurt and outraged by what happened.

"I can't see how anybody could think that just because it's a snake they have the right to kill it. When it's somebody else's pet," said Hayden.

One of the dead pythons was a rescue that came from a pet store in Dyersburg.

Jera Inman, who works at The Pet Store, said pythons are usually pretty gentle.

"They're pretty good pets most of the time, if you know what you're doing," said Inman.

 

At one time, Leslie and her daughter had ten snakes. Now they're left only with memories and questions about why anyone would kill their pet snakes.

"And we tried so hard to make sure that they were safe," said Kucera Hayden.

Under Tennessee law, whoever is responsible for killing the snakes could face charges of aggravated animal cruelty.

If you can help, call the Dyer County Sheriff's Department at 731-285-2802.

(NewsChannel3 - Nov 20, 2013)