Keeping venomous snakes
Merrimack, NH (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Sep 11, 2003
County: Hillsborough
Disposition: State Citation
Case Images: 1 files available
Person of Interest: Christopher J. Eriquezzo
Fish and Game authorities seized 5 venomous snakes from Eriquezzo's condominium at 86A E. Ridge Rd. Eriquezzo's has been charged with possessing venomous reptiles without a permit.
All the snakes are very rare in this area. The snakes, which included 2 cobras, 1 horned adder, a hooded rattlesnake and a rhino viper, were all well cared for. The rhino viper is 10 inches around and about 3 feet long.
Fish and Game Officials stated they would not issue a permit to Eriquezzo to have the animals in his home. Such a permit would be issued only if the snakes were going to an educational facility, equipped to handle them.
Eriquezzo is charged with possession of venomous reptiles without a permit after police and members of the NH Fish and Game Department executed a search warrant at his home shortly after 6:30pm.
Fish and Game officers took custody of 5 poisonous snakes, an 18 inch long horn adder, a 24 inch long banded rock rattlesnake, 2 5-6 foot long monocled cobras and a 5 foot long rhino viper.
The snakes are native to India and North Africa.
A former violator of the state's venomous reptile law reported Eriquezzo had the snakes.
There was no immediate danger to the public from the snakes based on the way they were secured. Eriquezzo kept the snakes in his home for about 2 years. Eriquezzo has been raising snakes for over 30 years, primarily in states that allowed private people to own venomous snakes. He has lived in Merrimack for about 10 years. The snakes were in immaculate condition under Eriquezzo's care.
Eriquezzo faces fines of up to $6000 for harboring venomous snakes without a permit.
The snakes are being held for evidence in the case but will be moved to a facility in Pennsylvania where it is legal to house them.
New Hampshire has very strict laws governing possession of venomous reptiles in the state because of serious health issues involved. For example, anti-venom may not be readily available in the event of a bite by an exotic snake. If the reptiles escaped their enclosures, they could endanger people in the community.
New Hampshire has one naturally occurring venomous snake, the timber rattlesnake. A state-endangered species, timber rattlesnakes are illegal to possess. References- The Boston Herald
- WMUR TV
- The Merrimack Journal
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