Colubrids and other small constricting snakes will hopefully be allowed as pets in the city.
The city of Minot, North Dakota’s Animal Ordinance Committee voted 5-1 to allow the keeping of smaller constricting snakes such as ball pythons and corn snakes, reversing an ordinance that prohibited the keeping of all constricting snakes in the city. Large constricting snakes, such as reticulated and Burmese pythons and boa constrictors as well as all venomous snakes will remain illegal to keep in the city.
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Colubrids such as this scarlet kingsnake will be hopefully be allowed as pets in Minot, North Dakota.
"The special ad hoc committee voted in favor of my recommendation to amend the current ordinance,” Marshal Platz, a member of the city's animal ordinance committee, told ReptilesMagazine.com. “From here it will go to the full council for consideration. I am hoping that it will be put on the November agenda.”
The vote was not without its detractors, as resident Merle Baisch argued against the ordinance change.
“We don’t need snakes in town. If you want a snake, move out of town,” Baisch said. “We have a minority of people who want to have snakes. … Now you are letting the minority take over what’s supposed to be majority rule.”
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Minot, North Dakota Animal Ordinance To Meet On Amending Snake Ban
Platz, a member of the United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) disagreed:
“I don’t feel like just because I am a minority that I shouldn’t be allowed to keep a pet that would mean no danger, no nuisance, no threat of a disease,” said committee member Marshal Platz, who advocated for the ordinance change.
The next steps would most likely be creating a shelter for any pet snakes that might escape. The good news is more folks in the city will hopefully be able to learn and enjoy keeping these wonderful reptiles.
