Game Officers Seize 179 Snakes At Deming Home

DEMING, N.M. (AP) – State Department of Game and Fish officers have removed 179 snakes from the home of a Deming man who died after being bitten by one of the reptiles.

Eighty-four of the snakes are venomous. A canebrake rattlesnake bit 37-year-old James Bear on his right thumb last week. He died Tuesday in an El Paso, Texas, hospital.

Authorities say Bear lacked the required permits to possess, obtain or sell the snakes. Game officers removed the snakes Wednesday.

Game and Fish officers say the confiscated snakes were turned over to friends of Bear, who said they planned to take them to Texas to be kept on behalf of Bear’s family.

It’s illegal to import any live wild animals, birds or fish into New Mexico without a permit.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)