Beware of Jerry Kruse

Gerard (Jerry) Kruse

I purchased several hatchling zonata from him for $3100 and within a week they started showing some disturbing skin problems. I notified Jerry within a week and told him what was going on. He seemed very nonchalant about it and played it down saying it was most likely something I was doing wrong in my husbandry techniques. He did not offer to take them back, refund my money or replace the animals. He adopted a “let’s just wait and see” attitude which left me feeling insecure. I felt at this point he was hoping I would just drift off into obscurity and stop bothering him. In any event I didn’t think he was going to do anything. I imagined that after waiting a little longer he would wash his hands of the problem saying it was definitely something I did since I would have had them a while at that point. Their condition started getting worse and looked exactly like what Brian Hubbs, author of Mountain Kings, describes as Mountain King (zonata) disease on page 258 of his book. I sent Jerry a picture and an email describing their condition but didn’t hear back from him for several weeks. Again his attitude was the same. He insisted it was something I was doing and offered nothing but “let’s wait and see” again. A month passed and I tried to contact him again but he did not respond. I figured that was it and I was on my own. Unfamiliar with this type of skin problem I posted it on Kingsnake.coms Mountain King forum. I posted pictures too asking if anyone could tell me what this was and offer any help. I got several immediate responses saying it was classic zonata disease and to destroy the animals before it spreads. Jerry contacted me (finally) after seeing my post and complained to me for posting it. He accepted no responsibility for the situation and was in complete denial that these snakes had a problem. He blamed my husbandry techniques and said he didn’t feel responsible. He did at this point offer to take them and work with them but I decided not to because I felt at this point I would never see the snakes or my money again. I tried to communicate to him what I thought he was not doing for me and he became belligerent and aggressive. I told him not to contact me if he could not be civil but he continued. I finally had to tell him to stop contacting me but he continued sending rude email sending rude and unacceptable emails laced with obscene language.

I strongly recommend everyone to stay clear of this individual. There is a distinct possibility his animals carry the zonata disease. He won’t stand behind his animals, replace or refund them. He also has some personal issues. When I confronted him with everything he feigned anger like a child does when they are caught in the act. He has some definite problem accepting responsibility for anything. I’m no psychologist but I recognize someone who is unstable when I see them and this guy fits the bill! You have been warned and to be for warned is to be for armed!