Animal Rescue

Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force removes dangerous snakes, primates, alligator from Stone County residence

September 17, 2009-Working in cooperation with the Stone County Sheriff’s Department and the Dickerson Park Zoo, yesterday the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force helped remove 26 extremely dangerous, non-indigenous, poisonous snakes, several primates and an alligator suspected of being illegally harbored in a private residence in Stone County in southwest Missouri. The Stone County Sheriff’s Department executed a warrant that was served to remove the animals yesterday. Also in the home was a 3-year-old child who was taken into the care of the state by the Children’s Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services.

Among the snakes were a Black Mamba, Black Adder, Cobra, West African Bushmaster, Rattlesnakes, and Cottonmouths. Members of the veterinary and herpetology staff of the Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield, Missouri were on site to advise and assist Humane Society of Missouri rescuers. Because of the potential danger, emergency medical crews and an air ambulance were on stand-by minutes from the rescue location. No personnel were injured during the rescue.

At the recommendation of a veterinarian, 23 of the highly venomous snakes were euthanized on the scene. The two primates were taken to the Dickerson Park Zoo. A 2-year-old, 5 ft. alligator, a Malamute dog and 2 ferrets were brought to Humane Society of Missouri Headquarters. The alligator will be transferred to the St. Louis Herpetological Society. Animals rescued will remain in the custody of the receiving organizations until the disposition hearing in Sept. 25 in Stone County.