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DNR Raids
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by snakecharmer on March 11, 2003
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Last night, about 6pm, I was raided by the DNR. They came with a search warrant and checked everything I have. Nothing was out of place. All snakes were locked down in cages and everything was safe.
When I first saw they were here, I did not panick and offered to show them throughout my house.
Sadly, they treated me as a criminal. They scared the kids and my wife. There were 8 DNR Law Enforcement men, one county cop and two Dept of Family and children services workers.
Why and what were they looking for??
Most of you know about " Cobraman6911". He scammed me and then called the DNR and told them he sent me cobras and I did not have a permit. The DNR told me where this info came from and that he had sent them email correspondence between us. He did not mention that the snakes, had he actually had them to ship, were going to Florida. He got caught scamming and tried to turn it on me.
Has anyone else here ever been raided?? Why does the DNR have to act like jerks and treat people the way they do??
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RE: DNR Raids
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by footburm on March 11, 2003
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I was raided in Ga. back in 2002 they treated me as if I were a drug smuggler or murderer. There were no laws on the books to state how much of a fine to give so they popped me 500.00 per animal. I knew they were coming so I got alot of my stuff out but they still got a west african green mamba, a boomslang, a speckled caimen, and a pair of eastern massassauga rattlesnakes I was put on 1000.00 bond per charge and it was an experience I will not forget. Since I have moved back home to Md. and they can keep the state of Ga. and there stupid laws to themselves I know people there who claim they are keeping just native hots but I know that is not true this hobby is like drugs the more you get the more you want it is for me anyway I started with a southern pacific rattlesnake and I have went from there to keeping just about everything but I know how you feel. What state were you in?
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RE: DNR Raids
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by footburm on March 11, 2003
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I see from your profile you are in GA. WOW I really feel for you now GET THE HELL OUT OF THAT STATE IF YOU PLAN ON KEEPING HOT SNAKES. Was it Steve Sykes or Bill Bunch who popped you? I believe the Steve is in charge of things like that.
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RE: DNR Raids
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by Buzztail1 on March 11, 2003
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I also live in GA and only keep native venomous.
I have been accused before of keeping exotics and have been inspected by NCIS with nothing found out of the order because I don't keep illegal snakes. If you willingly break the law, how can you complain when you get caught?
Georgia actually has an exotic venomous permit system. It is extremely costly, but it does exist.
I notice that Maryland also has an exotic venomous permit system.
"Maryland:
Native Venomous: No permit required to keep Copperheads if less than 4 specimens
Exotic Venomous: Permit required
Protected Native Venomous: Permit required
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)"
So I am a little confused as to how keeping venomous in MD is any better than keeping them in GA. Either way there is a permit law. Circumventing the permit law opens you up to prosecution no matter what state you are in.
As I said the last time this sort of thing came up in the forum, if you are going to break the law or are already breaking the law, you shouldn't post about it to people that you do not know or in a public forum. Having a Georgia (or Maryland, or California, or ...) address and ordering snakes that require permits without actually having the permits is exactly like sending an invitation directly to DNR to come search your property.
Stay safe and keep legally,
Karl H. Betz
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RE: DNR Raids
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by canebrake68 on March 11, 2003
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With all due respect to everyone in this trade. I noticed everyone complains about the laws everyone is to lazy to do anything about it. I have been trying to get people to help me change these laws and all i get is the cold shoulder. To the people who have tried to help, I greatly appreciate it as it would only help you in the future. To those who just sit there and let themselves be victims, get off your butts and do something about it. There is enough of us to make a diffrence.I am not bashing anyone, Just making you think about. So think about it!!!!
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RE: DNR Raids
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by snakecharmer on March 11, 2003
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Karl,
The snakes were ordered to go to Fl, where I do hold a permit and were to be placed at a {permitted} friends house. So, yes, I was and am allowed to order such animals. Also, know that Ga has A 24hr time line in which you can legally accept delivery of an animal as long as it is in transport. You are given 24 hours in which to remove them from the state. The DNR knows that I have done this in the past and have never had a problem with it. As soon as I take possession, I call and that gives me a 24 hour mark. It is permitted and legal. The whole issue was cobraman6911 calling and telling them I already had the snakes he never shipped {or had to ship} and him getting busted in a scam.
But, the DNR had no right to act as jerks like they did, either.
One DNR officer, Ron Harris, was very professional and I had the pleasure of dealing with him again today.
I have an open door policy with the DNR. always have, always will. I do deserve some respect from them as I give it to them.
Sorry about the long post, just wanted to clarify what's what and would like to hear opinions on the matter.
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RE: DNR Raids
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by Buzztail1 on March 12, 2003
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Michael,
Please don't feel as though I was attacking you or saying that you were doing anything illegal. Reread my post. Most of it is aimed squarely at "footburm" who readily admits that he was keeping snakes illegally and was unhappy with his treatment when he got caught.
I have heard mention of a 24 hour caveat but still stand by what I said in my post above. If you have an address in a state where certain things are illegal or permitted and you order those things online or from folks you don't know, you should expect some extra attention from "the powers that be." I do not defend their actions or reported lack of civility. However, from their point of view, they had a report of someone allegedly breaking the law. Obviously, their source was less than credible! COBRAMAN6911 tried to push his snakes on me too. I still do not know who he is and finally wound up blocking his emails from my inbox. I simply do not have any dealings in venomous snakes that are not indigenous to Georgia. Someday maybe I'll move or maybe they'll change the laws but until then my hots are all Georgia natives. Fortunately, I have some understanding friends in other states who let me visit and take photos of their beautiful animals.
As for Georgia DNR, I believe that if you are upfront with them (and patient) they will figure out who the bad guy is in all of this. I hope that you get this all worked out and that somebody finally gets to the truth about the "COBRAMAN".
Karl H. Betz
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RE: DNR Raids
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by footburm on March 12, 2003
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First my name is John S Adams and not Bob Ga. system might as well say you cant keep exotic hots because 40,000 worth of liability insurance per animal with the max of 500,000 the average person cant afford. Maryland states you can not keep as pets and must prove they are not pets.
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RE: DNR Raids
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Anonymous post on March 12, 2003
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Come to Virginia, they don't care what you keep! as long as it is not endangered or protected. DC
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