High End Herps owners arrested

[T&KBrouse]

http://www.kplctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12175437

OAKDALE, LA (KPLC) - The Allen Parish Sheriff's Office is investigating possible animal cruelty charges against snake breeders in south Oakdale.

The sheriff's office received permission to investigate the "High End Herps, Inc." snake breeding business after a woman filed a criminal complaint against the breeders.

The woman said the two snake breeders advertised their business as a "germ free safe haven" for unwanted animals.

But when she found her dog for sale on-line, she took action with a criminal complaint.

Upon entering the residency of David Beauchemin and Tawni Beauchemin-Eddy, conditions led authorities to question whether or not the couple was feeding caged animals to their hungry snakes.

"We found conditions relating to cruelty to animals," said Chief Deputy Grant Willis of the Allen Parish Sheriff's Office. "Sanitary conditions there were very poor. We have been seizing evidence that will be tested later in the lab to see if there is anything illegal pertaining to the animals."

Authorities found other violations made by the snake breeders.

State law requires owners with snakes exceeding 12 feet in length to obtain a permit for their pet.

Twenty two of the almost 250 snakes exceeded 12 feet in length.

Since the snake breeders failed to get a permit for these snakes, all 22 of those snakes will be taken out of the residency.

David and Tawni Beauchemin remain behind bars as they have both been charged with an initial complaint of cruelty to an animal.

Investigators are currently waiting for lab results to see if any additional charges will be filed.

This is the same location that previous complaints have been filed regarding missing pets. In those cases, the sheriff's department said the snake breeder didn't break any laws, so they were not able to enter the premises to investigate.

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Heres some more info from someone who picked the snakes up
http://www.reptileinsider.com/showthread.php?t=19929

Another fatal blow to the reptile community. :main_thumbsdown:

 

[T&KBrouse]

Heres the video coverage:
http://www.kplctv.com/global/video/...chPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=46208849

 

[Mel&Keith]

Here's a thread I found on another side about it. I'm really glad they called the local herp society to come help out. Be warned that the photos are really disturbing - link

 

[sunshinegeckofarm]

That is just sick very sick. People like that shouldn't even have the pleasure of owning animals. that gives so much ammo to people against owning any exotics it ain't funny. I hope they get all animals out of there quickly and into safe and healthy homes that can care for them in the matter they need to be cared for.

 

[gitrdone0420]

Omg, that is repulsive. How in the world can anybody even LIVE and expect animals to LIVE in those conditions? This is just ashame. I really hope that they get put away for a very long long long time. Those poor poor animals =/ This makes me sick.

 

[OneFootedAce]

:main_thumbsdown::main_thumbsdown::main_no:

This is just horrible, I don't know how a person can live, knowing what there doing to those animals...

 

[T&KBrouse]

Just another update. Shes been released to "tend to the other smaller snakes" and he's being held without bail.
http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20100322/NEWS01/100322020

This is just so heartbreaking. In a just world, they'd be put under the jail and all of those animals would be taken.

 

[thegeckoguy23]

i hate people like that just plain makes me mad

 

[Tony C]

Just what we need, a high profile bust involving python breeders. :main_no: Makes me wonder if the hobby is really worth saving when people treat their animals like that.

 

[ariana]

people like that need to be shot...
first time offense dogs are normally put down, at least they are here.
first time offense people for animal neglect/abuse/etc ought to be put down the first time too.....

 

[Vegas Chad]

That is way sad... Gives reptile nation a bad rap when a few dumb ass people do things like this.

 

[DarthGekko]

Yes, the hobby is worth saving. Jerks like this make it harder but they DO NOT represent the majority of us herpers.

 

[T&KBrouse]

Just what we need, a high profile bust involving python breeders. :main_no: Makes me wonder if the hobby is really worth saving when people treat their animals like that.

I understand your frustration, Tony. Its very discouraging when something like this happens and threatens the very thing we hold so dear to us.
The good news is, though, the reptile community is more outraged about this than the general population is. Keepers are stepping up from all over voicing their concerns, offering to take in the animals and help with vet costs. This speaks mountains for the character of the reptile nation.

Unfortunately, bad people are everywhere and thats the drama the media focuses on. I'm very thankful to the rescuers that come in and open their homes, their wallets and their hearts to help out. I wish, though, that that part wasn't kept silent. The public needs to know that we, the reptile community, will not tolerate this type of neglect and abuse of not just reptiles, but any animal.

Okay... Climbing off the soap box. Sorry about that. :worried: