Top Snake Scientist Said He Didn't Illegally Sell Boa

CharlieJ · #1 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 11:26 AM

Top Snake Scientist Said He Didn't Illegally Sell Boa
Source: WNBC

MORRISTOWN, NJ. -- The man in charge of the Liberty Science Center's reptile and amphibian collection is asking a judge to throw out a fine he received for selling a snake.

Danny Mendez, a well-known snake specialist and president of the New Jersey Herpetology Society, told a state Superior Court judge Thursday that he was merely selling one snake in his personal collection for the same price he paid for it two years earlier -- not going into a snake-selling business. In New Jersey, it's illegal to retail reptiles without a pet shop license, but licensed hobbyists can sell serpents from their own collections.

In January 2005, Mendez sold a yellow Amazon tree boa for $250 to an undercover state Division of Fish and Wildlife conservation officer. He was convicted of the offense in December by a municipal judge and fined $750.

Authorities said his Web site, Urbanjungles.com was a snake-selling site. He says that's not true, that it gave snake information, though it had links to retail sites.

CraigC · #2 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 12:55 PM

I have known Danny for years. He is one of the most knowledgable people I know when it comes to corallus. He is a hobbiest and since this was in the article:

Quote:

but licensed hobbyists can sell serpents from their own collections.

I call foul on the NJ court for contradicting their own laws. Who cares what his website says. If it is legal to sell from your own collection, where is he wrong?

Craig

Pete J · #3 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigC

I have known Danny for years. He is one of the most knowledgable people I know when it comes to corallus. He is a hobbiest and since this was in the article:
I call foul on the NJ court for contradicting their own laws. Who cares what his website says. If it is legal to sell from your own collection, where is he wrong?
Craig

maybe he doesnt have a license? i dont know they would be better served to go under cover into pet shops in that area of NJ

KaylinCoo · #4 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedro11478

they would be better served to go under cover into pet shops in that area of NJ

Definitely... I wish they would!!

amercnwmn · #5 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 02:23 PM

You know, that is just rediculous..
Officials nail guys like this for selling a most likely healthy, and well cared for animal from his collection at a fair price, btw. But they allow unethical reptile keepers and sellers to rip people off, abuse and neglect their snakes without so much as a slap on the wrist! Just fries me

TheBoaGuy · #6 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 02:24 PM

glad i seen this cuz im in NJ. I have done my research before and came to the conclusion that since you do not need a permit for boa constrictors in nj that selling them would not be a problem. but apperently you still need to apply for a retail establishment permit to sell them even though you dont need to claim them on you anual form. Seems like they just want the 100 dollar filing fee to me or just want to fine ppl to make money. How can you not need a permit to own a boa in nj but need one to sell sounds a little fishy to me. All I know is next year im spending my $100 so I can be legal : )

edit: well i went back and read it again and found that it was a yellow amazon tree boa and yes you do need a permit for them in nj. You dont need one for BCC or BCI.

I have to make a phone call to fish and wildlife to find out where I would stand in this whole situation

Advertisement