New York wildlife officials report illegal snake possessions

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers recently reported two separate incidents involving the illegal possession of snakes.

In Ulster County, an individual was caught after removing a live timber rattlesnake from another property and keeping it in a bucket. During the investigation in the Town of Wawarsing, officers discovered the head of another timber rattlesnake inside the individual's freezer. The person admitted to the actions and surrendered both items; the live snake was released back into the wild while the head was kept as evidence. The individual received tickets for possessing a threatened species.

In a separate incident at Coney Island, a Brooklyn man faces charges for the illegal possession of a large python. DEC officers observed a crowd, including children, gathered around the man as he handled the snake near the Riegelmann Boardwalk. The individual was also reportedly wearing a ball python around his neck. Under state law, owning such snakes is prohibited due to the danger they pose.