Pet Peeves: Why Authorities Had Issue With One Suffolk County Pet Shop Owner

You may expect to see a few interesting species of birds here on Long Island, perhaps some bunnies, and an occasional dear, if you drive far enough out east, but it’s safe to say that you wouldn’t expect to see any deadly snakes.

Well, apparently that’s exactly what you could expect to see at an aquarium in Shirley. In fact, what you could expect to see were two deadly Burmese pythons, which lead to a police raid and a confiscations of the venomous creatures by police.

While the owner claimed he was using the reptiles as nothing more than a promotional gimmick, the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals noted ample reason for concern.

According to them, the two pythons, one 6 ½ feet in length and the other 10 feet in length, were restrictors, making them among the type that can kill people by wropping around the individual and restricting their breathing. And, they add, these snakes tend to be very aggressive.

Officials add that while the common patron might not be able to identify these creatures as deadly they have reason believe that the owner know just how dangerous they were and/or could be. Still, the owner could not be reached for comment.

Furthermore, authorities also seized from the store several black racers, which are also classified as illegal to possess or sell since they are also known for being quite aggressive, and, though not venomous, will bite, if the feel threatened. And, these bits can be quite dangerous to children.

The store owner was fine $250 and the snakes were sent to a zoological society out of New York State.