February 5, 2013 West Allis, WI A man could be facing charges after police say he stole a snake a pet expo and left his son behind. A volunteer was showing the corn snake to the boy when the boy’s father walked off with the snake leaving the child. The man was apprehended and the boy was turned over to Child Services. Reptiles
February 1, 2013 Fenton, MI Three kayakers found a dead boa constrictor while kayaking down the Shiawassee River in Michigan. It is believed that the snake was an abandoned pet. Reptiles
January 16, 2013 Golden Gate Estates, FL A 2-year old, 125-pound grizzly bear cub named Boo-Boo escaped from a home. The Coliler County Sheriff’s Office and FL Fish & Wildlife found him, tranquilized him, and returned him to his owner. Bears
January 10, 2013 Castro Valley, CA A 5-foot alligator was found guarding 34 pounds of marijuana valued over $100,000. The alligator seemed sickly and stressed. A Castro Valley man was taken into custody. Reptiles
January 9, 2013 Cape Canaveral, FL An emu escaped from it’s enclosure and ran around stopping traffic. Other
January 7, 2013 Oldsmar, FL A couple was arrested for animal cruelty and child abuse when deputies found nearly 300 animals – including snakes, lizards, rats, mice, birds, rabbits, squirrels, and hedgehogs. Some animals were found dead and eaten. Deputies were responding to a missing girl. They also found the couple under the influence of alcohol. ReptilesOther
January 7, 2013 Calhan, CO According to a citation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, zookeepers failed to notice or communicate to a veterinarian that a 6-year-old tiger named Thurston was extremely thin, with visible ribs and protruding hip bones. Big Cats
January 2, 2013 Lincoln County, NC A Lincoln man was arrested after he shot and killed his pet snake. He faces several charges including felony cruelty to animals and was jailed on a $20,000 bond. Reptiles
October 5, 2012 Centereach, NY An alligator was found roaming free on a Long Island golf course. The animal was captured and taken to the aquarium in Riverhead. This was the fourth alligator found roaming freely in Long Island in five days. The animals are thought to have been released by an owner(s) that no longer wanted them. Reptiles
August 26, 2012 Albertville, AL An 11-foot Burmese python named Rogue went missing from a residence or two weeks before it was found. There had been rumors that the snake was killed and dismembered. The owners were fined and had to pay for a permit to keep the snake. Reptiles