Seized reptiles find new homes

[faze]

Seized reptiles find new homes
No charges filed against Bear man
By TERRI SANGINITI / The News Journal
delawareonline.com
10/22/2004



The Philadelphia Zoo on Thursday became the new home for two poisonous pygmy rattlesnakes authorities seized from a house in Bear.

And licensed reptile exhibitor Jungle John LaMedica took custody of Paul M. Valenti's five American alligators.

Valenti, 23, said he cried after SPCA agents left his home Wednesday after confiscating his reptile menagerie for lack of proper state permits for the 14 exotic pets.

Animals are his life, he said.

Now he's left with his three dogs, a snapping turtle and fish for company.

"I just have a bunch of empty tanks now," he said. "It's taken me years to acquire them. It's real sad."

Animal enforcement agents, who found the reptiles in the basement of his town house on Shadow Lan
e, took them to the animal shelter in Stanton. Authorities said the animals were well cared for.

There were four American alligators, a baby alligator, two Nile monitor lizards, a Savannah monitor lizard, two red-tailed boas, two Jungle Carpet pythons and two pygmy rattlesnakes.

"I call them my family," Valenti said Thursday. "I care for all my reptiles as anyone would their cat or dog."

SPCA executive director John E. Caldwell said he consulted with the state Attorney General's Office to determine appropriate charges to be filed against Valenti. No charges have been filed.

Valenti, who has worked at pet stores since he was 14, said he was unaware he needed a state permit for exotic pets.

Exotic pets are strictly regulated in Delaware. No licenses have been granted to residents in New Castle and Kent counties since 2000.

Enforcement is generally complaint driven, which is how Caldwell showed up on Valenti's doorstep.

"I was wrong for that, but half of the stuff they took are sold in pet stores in Delaware," Valenti said.

Valenti said he's researching if it's possible to get legislation changed to accommodate his pets.

If that fails, he may have to move out of state to resume his collecting.

"My main concern is their well-being," Valenti said. "It's not the animals' fault they're in this situation. As long as they can be cared for the way I did, I'm happy."

[faze]

this is BS In my opinion they should have atleast given some sort of "notice to gain licensing"

[haroldo359]

i agree, faze!

[Rmk1999]

I would have cried too. That really isn't cool at all.

[Dbutton]

They never mentioned what the complaint was that brought the spca enforcement agent to his house. He said " I was wrong for that, " but never expanded on the subject. It is really sad though that they took all his herps away. I quess the snapping purtle was ok to keep without a permit??? But not the gators and snakes. Sounds like somebody got their panties in a wad and he is paying for it.

David

[thetupak]

Sounds like he might have had his rights violated. If I was him I would have called some herp society and faught it. It is very sad I would have cried to if they ever took any of my animals.