This is a pretty good, well researched, "makes snake owning look normal", positive article on the snakes in question. (Check out the part in red, though!)
http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/04/29/3038753/79-snakes-slither-to-safety-in.html
By John Henry
jfhenry@star-telegram.com
FORT WORTH -- The Humane Society of North Texas is taking its mission of compassion to a new scale.
This week, an East Texas judge granted custody of 79 nonvenomous snakes to the nonprofit. The reptiles had been seized in an animal cruelty investigation and are all constrictors, including a rock python, anacondas and "a few things in between," said Tammy Roberts, the Humane Society's lead cruelty investigator.
"As far as I know, this is one of the largest snake seizures our agency has dealt with," said Roberts, who credited the DFW Herpetological Society with a big assist. "You can tell they're starting to feel better because they're a little on the cranky side."
The snakes are 2 to 14 feet long and weigh up to 70 pounds, she said.
Judge Alice Tomerlin ruled that the snakes seized by the Wood County sheriff last week had been cruelly treated while in the custody of Damon James Heynen, a snake dealer alleged to have worked under several aliases, including David Beauchemin, Roberts said.
He was taken into custody on warrants related to animal cruelty charges in Louisiana.
'Pretty pitiful'
"Several [snakes] were emaciated," Roberts said. "Some had upper-respiratory infections, others mouth infections. And almost all were dehydrated.
"They were pretty pitiful."
Tomerlin also declared Heynen financially responsible for the snakes while they are in the Humane Society's care, though society officials agreed that they're more likely to see snow in July than a nickel from Heynen.
Heynen has 10 days to appeal. After that, the Humane Society, working with the herpetological society, will begin looking for new homes for the snakes.
Several zoos have already expressed interest, Roberts said.
Feeding time
The serpents are living in the Humane Society's area for exotic animals, each in a 10- to 12-inch-high bin that is about 4 feet long and 2 feet wide, said Charles Thompson, another employee in rescue and cruelty at the Humane Society.
The bins need to be about 90 degrees at least on one side so proper digestion can take place, said Mark Pyle of the herpetological society.
Officials have not fed the animals out of concern that they might have to be moved if Heynen appeals and wins. Pyle said snakes need 24 to 48 hours to digest food or they risk regurgitation.
He said the snakes will be fed thawed rats or rabbits, depending on the size. Workers will use 4-foot tongs to dangle the bait. Big Cheese Rodent Factory in Fort Worth is donating feeders and discounting other supplies, he said.
"When they get in feeding mode, they want to grab whatever is there," Pyle said. "If your hand is there ... it is a little bit of a tricky task."
Pyle said some snakes can sell for more than $100,000, though none in this collection are worth that much. After a cursory examination, he said Heynen's snakes are probably worth $25 to $300.
"This isn't an ideal place to keep them, but what we're doing short-term is the most logical for us," Thompson said. "We're trying to make sure everything is just right for them."
John Henry, 817-390-7539
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