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WI-snake bite, confiscation
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by tigers9 on June 23, 2009
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http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/news_wluk_police_seize_creatures_200906221752_rev1
GB police seize venomous
snakes, frogs
Updated: Tuesday, 23 Jun 2009, 8:51 AM CDT
Published : Monday, 22 Jun 2009, 6:04 PM CDT
• Reporter: Lou Hillman
GREEN BAY - A Green Bay teen who likes taking care of exotic pets had his hobby turn on him Sunday. Police said the 17-year-old was bitten by one of his own venomous rattlesnakes.
When rescue crews went inside the home at 1808 Canary Lane to assist , they found a number of other exotic animals. The city's animal control team was called in to help, and 11 poisonous dart frogs, 2 southern speckled rattlesnakes, and seven other non-venomous creatures were removed.
"If it's not indigenous to the area, you can't have it without a permit," Green Bay police Lt. James Runge said. "You potentially could get a permit for certain animals but if it's venomous or poisonous you can't even get a permit for it, it would be illegal to have."
Neighbors have identified the injured teen as Nick Howell. He was listed in stable condition Sunday at St. Mary's hospital in Green Bay. Officials there confirmed he has since been transferred to UW Hospital in Madison.
Neighbors tell FOX 11 that the family had had all kinds of animals in the home for years, but they said they had no idea just how many dangerous creatures were inside.
"I guess if he wants to have them over there it doesn't bother me, a little bit surprised, but it doesn't bother me," Steve Rosenthal, a neighbor, said.
Rosenthal, whose 11-year-old son often hangs out at the home, said he knew about some of the exotic creatures. Although Rosenthal said the kids are always supervised by Howell's parents so he has never worred about something bad happening.
"If that's what he wants in his house, that's fine. Like I said, I don't think I'd ever have them in my house (but) that's their choice," Rosenthal added.
Authorities, however, said both families should have been more careful. Some lists put the colorful dart frog as the most poisonous creature on Earth. It's lethal toxins can absorb right through human skin.
"They look really cool and you want to pick them up. What they're telling me is one of these little frogs has enough poison to kill 10 people," Runge said.
In this case, however, it was one near-fatal bite from a rattlesnake.
"Hope he's doing alright but these are wild animals, that's what they do," Rosenthal said.
The venomous snakes and frogs are all headed to the Milwaukee County Zoo for an exhibit.
FOX 11 did tried to contact the Howell family for comment but our calls were not returned. Police are recommending either charges or citations be issued but a decision has not been made yet by the Brown County District Attorney's office.
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A Friend • 17 hours ago
I know the Howell family personally and they never had any intentions of hurting the animals. Nick found and saved many of the animals from humans who, in most cases, were trying to hurt the animals and took care of them until they were ready to return into their habitat. Nick and his family suffered enough with the near death incident which took place in their home. Almost losing a memeber of their family is punishment enough. His intentions were never to harm only to care and help the animals. Although dangerous, the family has learned their lesson.
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educating the public • 15 hours ago
Nick did do lots of rescue work, thinking of the critters above himself. We should hold him and his family up on high instead of persecuting them. Also BIG mistake here, poison dart frogs get toxin from ants they eat in wild. In captivity they eat fruit flies, rendering them completely harmless. Do your research FOX it's not that big of a secret.
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Prosecute Them • 2 hours ago
Okay you may say that he was doing rescuing work but it is still illegal to have them and he should be prosecuted. They should have learned their lesson because your obviosly out of your mind to have these kinds of animals in your home regardless of your intentions. It is your own fault and hopefully you have learned from this lesson. Prosecute to your fulliest extent Green Bay!!!!!
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Don't Prosecute Them • 56 minutes ago
The only animals that should have been taken from his home were the snakes. The dart frogs were like said before were fed fruit flies and didn't have any toxic venom. But even in the wild, they would only have enough toxins to perhaps cause mild irritation. But no way can "kill 10 people." They cops went too far in taking the animals. Only the rattlesnakes should have been taken. And if you think this kid who took it into his own hands to help nature while almost every other human spits on the ground they walk on and have no appreiation for this earth we live on, diserves anymore punishment, so be it. But this is a prime example of where America is currupt.
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RE: WI-snake bite, confiscation
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by atrox56 on June 25, 2009
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Sad to say but: Illegal is Illegal. 17 Is a tad to young to be keeping animals such as these but when I was 17 I knew it all myself. I hope the kid pulls through and learns a lesson from this unfortunate incident. At least he can visit them at the Zoo which is better then having them put down. Just goes to show, "Know your local and state laws"
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RE: WI-snake bite, confiscation
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by Cro on June 25, 2009
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It is unfortunate that the dart frogs were taken away.
Those pose no more risk to anyone than a bull frog or toad found naturally in that area.
The exagerated statements about dart frogs being able to kill 10 people shows just what kind of nitwhits are running the police department there.
Best Regards
John Z
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