By looking at one teen’s social media pages, it is an understatement to say he is passionate about snakes. Based on this fact, it’s no surprise he owned many different kinds of snakes. That’s why it was so tragic when one of those poisonous snakes bit the teen in the face and he had to be rushed to the hospital for treatment. Luckily, he could be treated, but now he may be facing charges. When news of his accident came out, authorities investigated and it was realized the teen didn’t have the proper permit for his venomous snake. As if a bite to the face isn’t punishment enough, the teen could face imprisonment and fines for owning the snake.
Wild Animals as Pets in Greeley
While Colorado state law does not monitor ownership of wild animals as pets, many municipalities have restrictions and rules about what types of animals can be owned. Greeley Municipal Code 7.28.020 – Wild Animals and Wild Birds as Pets; Permit or License Required – states:
According to the code, a ‘Wild Animal’ is defined as any:
- Primate
- Venomous or poisonous snake
- Venomous or poisonous reptile
- Jaguars, cheetahs, mountain lions, wildcats, panthers, or any other species of cat other than a domesticated house cat
- Bear
- Wild bird
- Nonpoisonous snake longer than one foot
- Nonpoisonous reptile longer than one foot
- Badger, prairie dog, skunk, beaver, or muskrat
- Bat
- Racoon
- Elephant
- Marine mammals – seals, sea lions, dolphins, or sea otters
- Hyenas
- Anteater, sloth, or armadillo
- Mongoose, civet, or genet
- Marsupial
- Deer, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, giraffe, camel, or zebra
- Alligator or crocodile
- Wolf, coyote, fox, or any other species of canine other than ordinarily domesticated dog
Greeley’s Municipal Punishment for Violating Wild Animal Rule
As a misdemeanor offense, the Greeley City Attorney and Judge can punish a person in violation of the Wild Animal Code with a fine of not more than $1,000 and imprisonment in the Weld County Jail of not more than one year. Also, the municipal court can prohibit the animal owner from keeping the animal within the city or order the animal to be destroyed in a humane manner. These guidelines for animal ownership are not specific to just Greeley. Many other Weld County municipalities, like Windsor, Berthoud, and Erie, have rules about animals in their municipal codes.
If you or someone you love has been charged with a municipal animal violation in Northern Colorado, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at (970) 616-6009 to set up a free consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
Image Credit: Pixabay – MattSkogen