Hudson Valley Man Ticketed for Keeping Garter snake as Pet

A Hudson Valley man who believed he recsued a Garter snake from the cold was ticketed.

In late March, the Ulster County SPCA took hundreds of animals from an apartment in the city of Kingston. The animals primarily consisted of pet mice and other domestic animals, but among the cages was a Garter snake taken from its natural habitat, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

The Ulster County SPCA contacted the Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center to take custody of the Garter snake.

A DEC officer followed up with the man who was allegedly keeping the snake as a pet. When interviewed, the man said he brought the snake inside because it was cold outside and thought it was going to die, according to the DEC.

The unnamed man was issued a ticket for illegal possession of wildlife returnable to City of Kingston Court. The ECO educated the man on letting wildlife remain wild and what to do if he finds wildlife in the future.

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The DEC recommends if anyone finds an injured or orphaned wild animal, they should call a wildlife rehabilitator or the nearest DEC regional wildlife office.