New Hartford Man fined for keeping massive burmese python illegally
9:35 AM EDT, September 7, 2024
Last week, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officers carried out an unusual intervention in New Hartford. The case involved the illegal possession of a Burmese python, one of the largest snakes in the world.
The report concerning the snake's presence in a private home in New Hartford, about 50 miles east of Syracuse, reached the New York Department of Environmental Conservation on August 28 at 9:00 AM EST. According to a witness statement, someone was allegedly keeping an exotic animal illegally.
The officer handling the case immediately recognized the distinctive pattern on the snake's head from the photo—it resembled an arrowhead typical of Burmese pythons. In New York State, it is illegal to possess this species without proper permits.
The Burmese python is native to Southeast Asia. In its natural habitat, it can reach up to 23 feet in length and weigh up to 200 pounds. In the USA, they mainly appeared due to the exotic pet trade.
However, due to its size and predatory nature, Burmese pythons quickly began to threaten local fauna, leading to it being recognized as an invasive species, particularly in Florida, where they have become a significant problem for local ecosystems.
Kept a 13-foot python in a small terrarium
In the New Hartford case, the python was found on the same day the report was filed. The animal, measuring 13 feet in length and weighing about 80 pounds, was kept in a small terrarium measuring only 5 feet in length, indicating inadequate living conditions. Fortunately, despite the cramped conditions, the snake was unharmed—it was safe and healthy.
Python caught the owner off guard
The owner of the animal admitted that he was not prepared for the snake's rapid growth and could no longer provide it with proper conditions. The python was confiscated and transported to Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo in nearby Rome.
For the illegal possession of the exotic species, the man received two fines—one for keeping a wild animal at home and another for possessing a dangerous animal without appropriate permits.
