Search for snake finds illegal reptiles
wtnh.com
(New Haven-WTNH, Nov. 4, 2004 6:06 PM) _ A New Haven couple reported their pet missing a couple days ago. It's a 15-foot python snake. And when police went looking for it, they found a lot more than an empty cage.
* by News Channel 8's Matt Scott
Ladonna Brown says her pet python is like a baby to her, harmless and sweet, but when she reported the missing snake to local authorities she had to explain what she was doing with some other exotic pets.
"They're not dangerous, but since they haven't eaten in a while, who knows what could happen," Brown says.
Brown is talking about her missing python, a 15 foot long pet that has some neighbors worried.
"I hope it's not out anywhere where it's going to get on someone or some kid," says Alma Thorpe.
The Department of Environmental Protection showed up. Using frozen rats as bait, no pet python was found, but other reptiles were. Two caiman crocodiles and one Argentinain boa which, according to Captain Raul Camejo, is not allowed to be imported into the state and is therefore illegal.
All three were confiscated and Brown and her boyfriend Larry White were ticketed $75 for having an illegally imported reptile. Something Brown says is not true.
"One of the snakes I bought came from a pet store, which they said was illegal. I said I purchased the snake from a pet store in Branford. How is that illegal?"
The owners of Pet Star say not true, they did not sell them an illegal boa, just the missing python, which is legal in the state.
So where did it come from? Ladonna says she and White purchase pets from reptile shows, pets that may be legal in neighboring states, but not here.
"I go to reptile shows and purchase these animals, and then you tell me they're not legal."
Captain Camejo says harboring illegally imported pets happens a lot in Connecticut, adding the trade of exotic animals like snakes and reptiles is big business on the black market and big problems for State Police who often confiscate them.
