Town Nixes Limits on Snakes

Town Nixes Limits on Snakes

source: Associated Press Strange News

MURRIETA, Calif. – A proposal to put the squeeze on pet snakes has slithered by.

Some residents in this southern California community couldn’t charm the City Council into restricting the size, type and number of snakes a resident can own. The board voted against the proposed law Tuesday.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Councilman Brian Youens said. “We have no problem in our jurisdiction, so why do we expect there to be in the future?”

Councilman Warnie Enochs proposed the ordinance after receiving a few calls from residents concerned about several large snakes owned by a neighbor. The law would have limited snakes to 5 feet long, prohibited venomous snakes and outlawed a large number of snakes.

But council members said there was no way to enforce such an ordinance and the law would unfairly target snake owners.

“You don’t own a dog and then when it gets over a certain level, start chopping pieces off,” Councilman Kelly Seyarto said. “You are asking these people to own a pet for a time, then have to get rid of it.”

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