Rock County Humane Society rescues rattlesnake
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The Rock County Humane Society is trying to figure out what to do with a Western diamondback rattlesnake it recently acquired. The snake, a little more than a foot long, was found abandoned in a Beloit apartment.
JANESVILLE — The Rock County Humane Society often gets reports of rattlesnakes—5-foot-long things—from rattled residents.
But the reports usually are exaggerated and the reptiles are just small fox snakes or even ball pythons.
But a western diamondback rattlesnake curled up at the shelter Friday morning, the first time a rattlesnake—or a venomous snake of any kind—has been a resident there.
A Beloit landlord found the abandoned snake in a home in the 600 block of Bluff Street, said Jim Hurley, supervisor at the humane society.
“Once the driver brought it back here, I looked at it and thought the pattern looked like a rattlesnake,” Hurley said.
“I was a little more scared.”
And that’s from a snake guy who’s fascinated by the reptiles.
“We’ve never seen a rattlesnake,” Hurley said. “We’re not trained to handle venomous snakes.”
The snake is more than a foot long and maybe three-quarters-of-an-inch wide at its thickest part.
It had been kept in a 10-gallon aquarium with sticks, stones and leaves and a duct-taped Plexiglas top.
Police told shelter staff that the Beloit renter or a friend apparently picked up the western diamondback—indigenous to the Southwest—in Arizona and brought it back as a pet. The renters moved to Illinois when they no longer could afford the apartment and left the snake behind.
Hurley had to remove the sticks to see the rattles, a sure sign of a rattlesnake. He did that “very carefully” with a pair of tongs.
And he is fairly sure the snake is a western diamondback, although seeing the difference between rattlesnakes can be like trying to tell the difference between off-white paint and cream.
The snake hasn’t been aggressive because Hurley is keeping the reptile cool, making the animal less active.
Now, what to do with it?
Hurley was hoping that the state Department of Natural Resources or federal fish and wildlife people would take it off his hands.
No such luck.
Friday he contacted herpetological societies and other snake groups that in the past have accepted ball pythons and constrictors.
But it may be left up to him to euthanize the snake, and he has no idea how to do that safely.
“I’ve dealt with Rottweilers and pit bulls and Dobermans and Saint Bernards … But you’re not going to die from getting bit. This, you get bit, you need to go to the hospital.”
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Krueger, Beloit assistant city attorney, said the city is investigating whether charges can be filed against the snake’s owner—if police can locate him or her.
The owner may have violated ordinances against keeping dangerous animals and abandoning animals.
“If it was just a regular constrictor, it probably would not be that big of an issue,” Hurley said.
“Once it’s a venomous snake, this is like leaving a loaded gun in your apartment.”
Jul 5, 2008 at 1:57 p.m.
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Why do people always gotta throw the bible into every discussion ever had on this website? It is annoying. Take a break from Jesus and enjoy reality for a change.
Jan 7, 2008 at 1:09 p.m.
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Gary primer I would tread carefully on spatting the bible in this conversation because it might make you look small minded! In the old Testament there is talk of snakes and them being evil, but please read carefully. The Old Testament is now only a history lesson. The new testament teaches us to be kind to all gods creatures and if you followed the christian way you would be a little better spoken on these threads. I don't take anything as an insult I do however get irritated when people think they know what they are talking about and still obviously have a lot to learn!
Jan 7, 2008 at 10:15 a.m.
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BrodheadMommy, morals have nothing to do with PRE-JUDGING people before all the FACTS are available.
Jan 6, 2008 at 6:31 p.m.
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Hey, wake up! Snakes can't ask for anything. You have been watching too many animated movies. Perhaps it started with Aesop, but people have been conditioned to assume an anthropomorphic role to animals from the time they could sit up and hold a juice box. One of the benefits of this is that encourages most people to be less cruel to animals. That is a good thing. One of the drawbacks is that it can cause people to make poor decisions on behalf of animals. I know from past experience that there are plenty of people out there who will claim that animals are better than people and in certain cases, I must agree. But beware. In the past people accused of consorting with animals were tested for specific gravity under less than scientifically-controlled conditions. Before you attack me, I will tell you that I always speak to any animal that I encounter, be it a dog, cat, squirrel, or cow. I cannot ever recall one answering back with a request. I do not speak to snakes however, as the bible advises me against it. You know, it is far too easy to throw insults at other people because they think differently than you do. Maybe you have a lot in common with the snake. You should not take that as an insult if your heart belongs to a snake.
Jan 6, 2008 at 10:21 a.m.
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I can't understand some of the comments on this page. If you are one of the too many heartless people out there why bother adding a comment to the post. Yeah it's a snake and they are considered by some to be gross but did the snake ask to be taken out of his natural habitat and moved to wisconsin. The humane society is not just for domesticated animals there job is to help all animals. I for one am glad the landlord called them and they are not taking this as lightly as most of you. Thank GOD the snake ended up in their care. As for the cost of transporting the snake why do you care, your tax dollars are not even covering it. The humane Society is not a County run Organization.
Jan 6, 2008 at 10:12 a.m.
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I agree with Broadhead to a point..low lifes seem to always escape responsibility. Sometimes they leave rent unpaid, sometimes they leave snakes. They probably did leave this for the landlord..how thoughtful. Now the landlord makes a big deal out of it hoping to find the "snakes" (people). He's angry and should be. But as for the snake..face it..it's a snake. Not one of many small cold hungry children in this state. If we want to spend money saving, hiring lawyers, transporting this thing to AZ, let's just put the darned snake in the freezer and call it a day. Then give the attention and money to the homeless. At least they will appreciate it.
Jan 6, 2008 at 7:46 a.m.
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The crystal ball is available to all to use....it is called morals.
Jan 5, 2008 at 8:46 p.m.
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Whoah, Broadheadmommy settle down.
Jan 5, 2008 at 6:01 p.m.
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What's the matter? Did someone see themselves in the crystal ball? Oh, and snake, snake, snake for the benefit of some who seem to feel that they have the de facto title of moderator for the comment section.
Jan 5, 2008 at 4:27 p.m.
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BrodheadMommy, WOW. Can I borrow your crystal ball? You sure seem to know a lot about the people involved in this situation from only reading a news article.
Jan 5, 2008 at 3:42 p.m.
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We all know what type of person this was that had this snake. Some thug that had the need to have something dangerous to show how "TUFF" they are. URGH. Makes me so mad. Now this poor thing will lose it's life if no other means are found. But, obviously they don't care about the snake, they are probably laughing at the possibility that the landlord got bit because they are mad at him because they were expected to pay RENT. Of course these thugs always think they should get something for free...and when they don't they try to hurt the person that holds them accountable. THank heavens this landlord didn't get hurt. Prayers to you little snake.
Jan 5, 2008 at 9:54 a.m.
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I heard its actually a Western Diamondback, and the DNR won't deal with it since it's not native to the area. I believe the herp society is trying to get it transported to arizona where they belong. What stupid people there are being this dangerous, poor snake!
Jan 5, 2008 at 9:48 a.m.
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I used to go to Devils Lake and they warned about rattlesnakes on the bluffs. Maybe the snake came from there or a similar area. It would probably be considered property of the DNR if that were the case, but there would be no way to prove it unless witnesses came forward. Dangerous dogs should also be illegal.
Jan 5, 2008 at 9:39 a.m.
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I believe your little fellow is a Southern Pacific rattlesnake. They are fairly common in the Southwest.
Jan 5, 2008 at 4:29 a.m.
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They need to call the Madison Zoo. They have rattlers (timber and massassauga rattlers) there. They may be interested in having another one for display.
If the humane society has the need to put it down, carbon monoxide or chloroform in an enclosed case works good on venomous snakes (ie no touching the snake).
On a slight slant to this story. Why the hell are people so afraid of constrictors that they have to be banned as pets in Janesville? Dogs are more dangerous.
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