GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A Kent County man has been charged with animal cruelty after deputies allegedly discovered 10 lifeless snakes in his home and 27 extra dwelling reptiles and spiders.
One rely of cruelty to 10 or extra animals, a four-year felony, was issued in opposition to the Gaines Township man on Tuesday, Nov. 28. MLive/The Grand Rapids Press isn’t naming the person pending arraignment on that cost.
Kent County sheriff’s deputies beforehand stated on Oct. 22 they had been referred to as to the person’s home within the 6000 Block of East Amber Drive SE in Gaines Township on a baby custody dispute.
Related: Pythons, boas, tarantulas seized from Grand Rapids space home
While deputies had been there, they famous a number of dwell and deceased animals and referred to as in Kent County Animal Control officers.
Ten lifeless snakes had been faraway from the home, and 27 dwell reptiles and spiders within the home, together with boa constrictors, pythons, corn snakes, tree snakes, an apricot Pacman frog, a tegu lizard and tarantulas, had been seized and brought into John Ball Zoo’s care.
According to the possible trigger affidavit, the person’s ex-fiance instructed deputies that he would purchase a number of snakes after which resell them.
When the couple broke up in June, the ex-fiance stated the person allegedly stopped feeding the snakes and reptiles, Kent County sheriff’s deputies wrote within the affidavit.
“Since then, several reptiles have died due to (the Gaines Township man) not taking care of them, letting them rot and decay,” the deputy wrote.
John Ball Zoo officers stated that after they appeared over the animals, they had been taken to N&N Exotic Reptile Rescue in Grand Rapids.