Snakes on a Bus

**Cidp24** · 11-04-07, 02:35 PM

Snakes on a bus: Ind. man accused of illegally transporting baby rattlesnakes from post office

MUNCIE, Ind. _ This time, the snakes weren't on a plane. They were on a bus and their owner is facing charges.
Dustin Draper, 21, of Muncie, Ind., was arrested after picking up a package of venomous baby timber rattlesnakes at the post office and taking them home on a city bus.
He faces preliminary charges of possession of an endangered species and transportation of a dangerous reptile without a permit. He was in jail Friday on $3,500 bond.
Postal inspectors told the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and county police about the shipment of rattlesnakes. Officials were waiting for Draper when he got off the bus near his apartment Thursday.
``He wants to be cool and have venomous snakes,'' said Sgt. Ed Rucker, a DNR conservation officer.
Anyone who handles dangerous or wild animals in Indiana must have a state permit, and possessing endangered species like timber rattlesnakes is illegal, Rucker said.
The DNR said Draper is a known buyer and broker of venomous snakes. He was arrested last November on charges that he tried to sell an undercover conservation officer an eastern diamondback rattlesnake.
He was given a suspended 60-day jail term and fined $360 in Muncie City Court. Draper also faces similar charges from August for possession of an adult cobra.
Draper was advised to get a state wild animal permit but never applied for one, according to court records. © 2007 The Canadian Press

Who in the heck would want a poisonous snake for a pet??
Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!!