Man keeps rare rattlesnake on ice

[TexasStooge]

RUTLAND, Vt. — A Vermont man is in hot water over a frozen rattlesnake.

When Timothy Duprey, 40, found a dead timber rattlesnake on the side of a road in August, he decided the post-mortem prize was worth keeping.

Duprey allegedly took the snake home and put it in the freezer. An anonymous caller contacted authorities to report that Duprey had the snake for three weeks.

Authorities found the frozen snake, and issued Duprey a criminal citation for possession of an endangered species. According to a game warden, handling the snake is illegal, even if it's dead.

Duprey pled not guilty in Rutland district court this week. If convicted, he faces a fine of up to $600 and could lose his right to hunt and fish for three years. His next court appearance is not yet scheduled.

As for the rattler, it is being stored in an evidence freezer. The snakes, which measure 3.5 to 4.5 feet long, are listed as endangered in several states, including Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey.

[stormchazer]

RUTLAND, Vt. — A Vermont man is in hot water over a frozen rattlesnake.

When Timothy Duprey, 40, found a dead timber rattlesnake on the side of a road in August, he decided the post-mortem prize was worth keeping.

Duprey allegedly took the snake home and put it in the freezer. An anonymous caller contacted authorities to report that Duprey had the snake for three weeks.

Authorities found the frozen snake, and issued Duprey a criminal citation for possession of an endangered species. According to a game warden, handling the snake is illegal, even if it's dead.

Duprey pled not guilty in Rutland district court this week. If convicted, he faces a fine of up to $600 and could lose his right to hunt and fish for three years. His next court appearance is not yet scheduled.

As for the rattler, it is being stored in an evidence freezer. The snakes, which measure 3.5 to 4.5 feet long, are listed as endangered in several states, including Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey.

Was this really worth the courts time?