Tighter Restrictions Urged for Owners of Pet Snakes

In the wake of two highly publicized snake attacks in the past week, Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson has proposed toughening restrictions on ownership of the reptiles and increasing penalties for those who fail to keep their pets secured.

“There is no excuse for these snakes wandering around the city,” Bernson said. “There is no excuse for the owners of these snakes to be irresponsible in controlling their pets.”

Bernson on Wednesday introduced a motion to ban pet snakes unless an animal’s owner obtains a special permit from the Department of Animal Regulation. The motion was sent to the Public Safety Committee.

On Monday, a 10-year-old Anaheim boy who went to give his pet python a bowl of water was trapped when the 12-foot snake latched onto his hand and coiled tightly around his arm. The boy escaped with minor injuries, but only after paramedics cut off the snake’s head.

That incident followed another last weekend in which 74-year-old Jackie Torgerson of West Hills witnessed her pet Chihuahua being devoured by a 7 1/2-foot boa constrictor that had escaped from its owner’s home.