Just noticed theres a second article with more info. Check it out on the lower left.

Not a single person at the humane society would ever tell someone to let an animal go in the country. Not to mention it IS against the law to abandon an animal even if you don't own it. If you have a problem with your townships rules, I suggest you go to their meetings and tell them theres a problem with cats in your area, urge them to change the rules. Sheesh! Blaming the shelter won't do anything unless individuals help solve the problems in the first place. It would be like blaming the police for crimes being committed. Now go ahead and shred my opinions to pieces if you must.

Glad to see the Rock County animal wayside has time to deal with rattlers. This is the same "Humane Society" that tells me "Don't bring your stray cats to us if you live in a rural township. We don't get any money for taking in rural stray cats. Just drive them somewhere else and let them go." No small wonder it's Dane Co. HS that gets my donations.

As a wild species,this is DNR jurisdiction. Whoever owned it should have some hefty fines- you can't keep wildlife as pets. That requires a game farm license. If it's a native Wisconsin Timber Rattler, it's a protected species and even the Humane Society shouldn't be housing it.
It should be turned over the DNR, pronto.

Maybe the tenant wasn't on the best terms with the landlord.
The snake was neglected by not being fed.

What about the idiots who see birds and rodents there?

for all those idiots who think that the RCHS is just for dogs and cats, think again. Over the years, I've seen birds and small rodents there. If many of you are so worried about the dog and cat problem, don't support the pet stores that sell in-breed cats and dogs, and go volunteer.

Since when is it the Humane Societies' responsibility "to do something about the dog and cat problem"? Owners are responsible (or in this case irresponsibe); the humane society just tries to take care of negected or abandoned animals of ALL types. Instead of expecting others to "do something", go there and adopt a pet or make a donation. The HS can't go door to door to ask if your pet is spayed or neutered.

I can't imagine anyone not knowing the difference between a constrictor and a pit-viper. Hint: the large folding venom leaking fangs.

The only reason I can think of to keep a rattlesnake in your apartment is to protect your drugs or your drug money - I think the police need to find out who owned the snake.

JCK,
excellent post.
I agree with you.

How do you neglect a snake? Or how do you not neglect a snake? Do you pet it? Cuddle it?
Hold a mouse in your mouth for it to take from you? I may be an idiot, but even I know that snakes hold a place in God's earth, even with that unfortunate garden-original-sin thing, but that place is not within range of any humans especially if it is a deadly rattlesnake. Get rid of it!

BLUE21- Sounds like maybe the humane socitey just found a new owner for the snake. I mean who wouldn't want something that could kill anyone with one bite in their home.

What sort of moron moves out of an apartment and leaves their pet rattlesnake behind?
Shouldn't the landlord have information as the identity of the tenant so the Humane Society can charge their expenses in caring for it to the proper party?

Why are they messing around with a snake? It's their job. It was obviously a neglected and abandoned pet. Snakes DO serve a purpose in the world, as do what you would probably consider other 'undesirable and disgusting' creatures. What a way to describe one of nature's wonders.

Anyway, the Humane Society is a non-profit organization, and runs off donations. They also don't know there's a problem unless it's reported. So, why not volunteer with them, donate some money, and quit complaining about the great job they do?

I wish that the Humane Society could do more about the dog and cat problems. I am not sure why they are messing around with a snake. A rattlesnake is a dangerous, disgusting, and undesirable creature.
It should be illegal to own one and the best thing that they can do with this one is to euthanize it and dispose of it. How about it all you snake lovers? Does a rattlesnake make a good pet?

If a rattler's rattle is severely damaged at any point, it may permanently lose its rattle. If someone is keeping a rattlesnake in their home, it is likely they would cut off the rattle so as not to be reported by neighbors, and to avoid being really annoyed!

How can you not tell if it is a rattle snake or not? If I am not mistaken a rattle snake has a rattle on its tail.