A real-life animal house in Battle Creek

BATTLE CREEK (NEWS 3) - Snakes, monkeys, and exotic birds – the list of animals removed from two neighboring Battle Creek homes is long.

Police went to the homes on Harris Ave. as part of a weapons investigation. They were in for a surprise.

The conditions inside are described as cramped and dirty by animal control officers who went back to one of the homes for a second time today to remove more than a dozen snakes. Many of the snakes are venomous, including cobras and a diamondback rattler.

Also inside - exotic birds and a snapping alligator turtle. In the garage, more birds and chickens.

Yesterday, two capuchin monkeys and other domestic animals were taken from the home next door.

The monkey and nine non-venomous snakes are being cared for at Binder Park Zoo. "We will monitor them, bring them to complete health, make sure they are well cared for and we're at discretion of the legal system," said Binder Park's Greg Geise. "The boxes the monkeys were taken out of were filthy and very small. They just met federal standards."

One neighbor said the homeowner has always taken good care of his animals. She says her children would often go there to play with - and learn about - the animals.

The homeowner could face animal cruelty charges.

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Update

BATTLE CREEK (NEWS 3) - Animal experts at Binder Park Zoo are evaluating the condition of dozens of animals seized from two Battle Creek homes this week.

Law enforcement officers originally went to one of the homes on Harris Avenue serving a federal firearms search warrant. Inside, they found all sorts of exotic animals, many of which are now at Binder Park.

Animal control officers and a snake expert removed animals including more than a dozen snakes on Wednesday and Thursday. Many of the snakes inside the two homes are venomous. The list includes numerous cobras and a diamondback rattler. Also inside: exotic birds and a snapping alligator turtle, two capuchin monkeys, and other domestic animals.

The zoo did not take the venomous snakes but others are here under quarantine. Because of the conditions the animals were living in, zoo officials want to make sure they're safe.

"(Zoo workers) only go in with masks and gloves. There may be nothing wrong with them but until we get the test results back and have a period of time to ensure that is true, we are cautious," explains Greg Geise of Binder Park.

Battle Creek police animal control officers are still investigating the case. They expect to turn their findings over to the Calhoun County prosecutor's office. The homeowner could face animal cruelty charges.

The animals at the zoo will be quarantined for at least 30 days. And the zoo plans to keep them until the court decides the outcome.


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I'm confused. Why did they remove them? They stated that the monkey's condition "just met federal guidelines".
Are the species illegil? Did they need a permit that they didn't have?
Wolfy