Killer rattler in yard protected species

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2003
Killer rattler in yard protected species
6
Fri, 05-07-2004 - 9:42am
Rare rattlesnake kills 85-pound dog

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/printedition/chi-0405070213may07,1,1212966.story?coll=chi-printnews-hed

STANTON, MICHIGAN -- An 85-pound dog was fatally bitten in its back yard by a venomous snake protected by the state, which will neither try to remove the snake nor allow the pet's owner to kill it.

The reptile that killed Janis Hoople's 5-year-old black Labrador retriever last week was identified as an eastern massasauga rattlesnake, also known as a Michigan rattler. It is the state's only native poisonous snake.

Hoople said when she sought advice from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, she was told that the state has made it illegal for anyone to kill the rare snake. The eastern massasauga is a candidate for federal protection.

"They suggested we move it," Hoople told The Daily News of Greenville for a Thursday story. "But where do we move it to?"

Renee

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2000
Fri, 05-07-2004 - 9:53am

>"An 85-pound dog was fatally bitten in its back yard....... "<


I have to ask........ what part of the dog's anatomy is the back yard? ;)


>"neither try to remove the snake nor allow the pet's owner to kill it."<


I think I would have asked someone to

 


Photobucket&nbs

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Fri, 05-07-2004 - 11:07am
After having that story in the news, I'm sure that some group will step forward and safely remove the snake.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2003
Fri, 05-07-2004 - 11:07am
This is an interesting case. What happens when the snake kills a huuman? Does it become eligible for capital punishment? Is there an alert out for people to stay out of their backyards because of the danger? What liability does the state or fed have for the snake?
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2003
Fri, 05-07-2004 - 3:44pm
<< What liability does the state or fed have for the snake?>>

None, but you can be sure if the family or an organization moved the sake, and anyone or their pets were bitten by that type of snake in the area, they'd be sued.

Renee

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2000
Sat, 05-08-2004 - 9:27am

Maybe the EPA? Whoever deemed this reptile protected? Or would it be an act of God, like your neighbours tree falling on your house?

cl-Libraone~

 


Photobucket&nbs

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 05-09-2004 - 7:47am

Information about the snake


http://midwest.fws.gov/endangered/reptiles/conserve.html


As for the news report of the dog being bitten, I'm puzzled.


Elaine