Alabama snake gator bust

**REXANO** · Site Admin Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 446

http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1212743720265340.xml&coll=3

Man accused of housing dangerous snakes, gators
Friday, June 06, 2008
By JILLIAN KRAMER
Staff Reporter
When authorities removed seven venomous reptiles and American alligators from shed-like Solomon's Snake Shop Tuesday, the store's owner became the center of one of the weirder illegal animal cases conservation officials said they can recall.
Michael Paul Solomon was hoarding a monocled cobra, two rhinoceros vipers, two tentacle water snakes and two alligators in his mobile home on Bush Lane in Tillman's Corner, according to a news release from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The animals were confiscated and Solomon arrested Tuesday by conservation enforcement officers.
"This is very uncommon," said Lt. Michael Bloxom, who added that Solomon, 32, intended to sell the nonindigenous reptiles from a shop behind his home. That shop — a gray storage building with a brightly colored sign announcing its name in hand-painted letters — is surrounded by other homes and a daycare facility.
Solomon's house also serves as Solomon's Insurance Agency, a Progressive Auto Insurance company, according to signs at the residence.
A Press-Register reporter visited with an insurance agent Thursday afternoon, who spoke for Solomon and declined to comment.
Lack of security Bloxom said Solomon kept the reptiles in glass aquariums "fit for common snakes, and they weren't padlocked or secured in any greater manner than you would secure a common snake."
Solomon bought the reptiles online from a store in Florida, which Bloxom declined to name Thursday.
It's illegal for Alabama residents to own or sell nonindigenous venomous reptiles, according to the news release.
In that same release, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Enforcement Chief Allan Andress said, "The illegal commercialization of wildlife and the introduction of injurious species are two of the greatest threats to our natural resources, and in this case public safety."
The monocled cobra has powerful venom that attacks a victim's organs and muscles and can cause almost instantaneous death, while the rhinoceros vipers are considered one of the most dangerous varieties of snakes of Africa and strikes quickly to kill, according to the release.
The tentacle water snake has very mild poison and is not considered dangerous.
Solomon was charged with illegally possessing the reptiles — a misdemeanor offense — fined and released from custody, Bloxom said.
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**REXANO** · Site Admin Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 446

Here is the official press release
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http://www.outdooralabama.com/news/release.cfm?ID=607

Mobile County Man Arrested for Illegal Possession of Wildlife
June 05, 2008
Contact: Allan Andress
334-242-3467

Michael Paul Solomon, 32, was arrested by Conservation Enforcement Officers at his residence in Mobile County for illegally possessing non-indigenous venomous reptiles and American alligators. The officers obtained a search warrant for the residence after learning Solomon was keeping a monocled cobra, two rhinoceros vipers, two tentacle water snakes and two alligators in his single-wide mobile home.

Solomon told the officers he purchased all of the reptiles on the Internet from companies in other states. Agents with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service assisted with the execution of the search warrant and subsequent arrest because it could also be a violation of the Federal Lacey Act for obtaining the illegal wildlife in interstate commerce. It is unlawful for any person to possess, sell, offer for sale, import, or release any non-indigenous venomous reptile in or into the State of Alabama without a permit.

The monocled cobra is native to Asia. Its venom is powerful and affects the victim’s organs and muscles. If bitten, death is almost instantaneous. The rhinoceros viper is considered one of the most dangerous snakes of Africa. Though generally slow moving, when it strikes for a kill it can be extremely quick. The tentacle water snake originated in Central and Southern Thailand. This snake contains very mild poison and is not considered dangerous.

“The illegal commercialization of wildlife and the introduction of injurious species are two of the greatest threats to our natural resources, and in this case public safety,” said Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Enforcement Chief Allan Andress.

In response to growing public concerns about the importation and possession of non-native venomous reptiles by individuals, Alabama prohibited this activity in 2001. At that time, persons in possession of non-native venomous reptiles were given the opportunity to apply for a permit or dispose of them. No new permits are being issued.
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Shawn · Joined: 28 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

Hi,
I am really feel very sad after going through this topic,how could the people caught reptiles for their own profit.
this is not to be done because after all reptiles also have thrie own life and its only depend upon them that how would they live.
those people how done this type of thing's, must be punished by their government.

Shawn
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http://www.treatmentcenters.org/alabama

Genelia · Joined: 22 Oct 2008 Posts: 1

The Alabama Department of Conservation released pictures Monday of poisonous snakes confiscated from a home on Bush Lane in Tillman's Corner. Michael Paul Solomon, thirty two, was arrested last week after officials found him housing a monocled cobra, two rhinoceros vipers, two tentacle water snakes and two alligators in his mobile home. Officials say Solomon intended to sell the reptiles out of a shed in the backyard of his father's insurance agency, but neighbors say they're glad the reptiles are gone. Solomon is charged with illegally possessing venomous reptiles and holding wildlife in captivity.
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Genelia

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