Suffolk County, NY - March 24, 2015 - The Suffolk County SPCA is reporting today that a 22 year old male Suffolk County resident was bitten by one of his two Rattlesnake that he was keeping as pets. The victim will spend the next week recovering in the hospital and will likely suffer permanent injuries due to the bite.
Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk County SPCA stated that these animals are not domestic pets and are extremely dangerous. Gross said that officers from the SCSPCA and NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation took possession of the snake and it was sent to a reptile sanctuary out of state.
"Abandoned and dangerous reptiles and amphibians have become an all too common occurrence here on Long Island," said DEC Region 1 Director Peter A. Scully. "All too often, individuals do not realize the difficulties and complications that arise from owning one of these animals."
Gross reminded residents that at least once per year, the Suffolk County SPCA and NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation host Amnesty Days where residents can turn in wild and exotic animals.
For more information contact NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, please call 631-444-0350.
To report any environment crime, please contact DEC's Public Protection Dispatch Center at: 1-877-457-5680 or the Long Island dispatch at (631) 444-0250. DEC keeps the identity of all TIPP callers confidential.
