Newborn puppies fed to snake by county worker
Detroit, MI (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Sep 23, 2002
County: Wayne

Disposition: Not Charged

Person of Interest: Female

A Detroit animal control worker accused of feeding newborn puppies to a snake has reportedly been fired and could face criminal charges, WDIV-TV reported on September 23, 2002.

Officials at the Detroit Health Department, which oversees the city's animal control center, said that the snake has been placed in an unidentified shelter in Ohio. The snake is believed to be a large python that was confiscated during a police raid.

DHD officials said the department will turn the findings of its investigation over to the Wayne County prosecutor, who may bring charges. The worker could face charges ranging from animal cruelty to abuse of her position. "Of course this is not something we condone. We absolutely cannot allow people to do things that are not in keeping with the way we do business," said Judith West of the DHD.

DHD officials would not confirm the number of puppies that may have been fed to the snake or how many feedings took place. Department officials said that other animal control workers reportedly witnessed the feedings. Those workers are not likely to be charged.

References

• WSOCTV News - September 24, 2002

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