Boa Constrictor found in Mastic
The boa constrictor found in Mastic last week has died, prompting the Humane Society of the United States to offer a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest of the person responsible.
The three-foot-long snake was discovered in a broken fish tank at the corner of Mastic Road and Roberts Road on Oct. 10. Suffolk County police and SPCA officers took the snake to a local animal rescue organization, but a veterinarian said it died of injuries suffered from neglect.
“This is the latest in a string of cases involving the abandonment of dangerous snakes and other reptiles in New York,” said Brian Shapiro, New York State director for the Humane Society. “We hope this reward will encourage people to come forward with information about this terrible crime.”
Five three-foot-long alligators were found in a nine-day span on Long Island between Sept. 29 and Oct. 6. An iguana was also found wander the streets of Patchogue on Sunday. No arrests have been made in those cases, either.
Shapiro said the snake case illustrates the need for Congress to pass a bill that would ban the importation of various types of pythons and constrictors for the pet trade.
Roy Gross, chief of the Suffolk County SPCA, also expressed support for the legislation, citing the risk to the public.
The Suffolk County SPCA is continuing the investigation and asks anyone with information about the case is asked to call them at 631-382-7722.
