Thieves Strangle Ducks, Escape With $25,000 Worth Of Reptile

[chadtm80]

Thieves Strangle Ducks, Escape With $25,000 Worth Of Reptiles

POSTED: 7:08 a.m. EDT June 24, 2003
UPDATED: 7:43 a.m. EDT June 24, 2003

PLANT CITY, Fla. -- About 100 snakes, including 10 boa constrictors and about 50 king snakes, were stolen from a reptile breeder here.


Susin Tippie, owner of D&H Pet Farms Inc., said the snake snatchers took more than $25,000 worth of reptiles.

"This is just devastating," said Tippie, a wholesaler who deals in hamsters, mice, rats, guinea pigs, gerbils and reptiles. "I can't believe anyone would do this."


Tippie's 16-year-old son, Stephen, discovered the theft Sunday morning when he found a snake crawling out of a broken screen. The thieves apparently broke in through a vented door, and Tippie believes the culprits know the reptile trade.

The stolen snakes also include a variety of rat snakes. Tippie said she doesn't think the snakes are a threat, especially since the boas aren't big enough to injure anyone.

The thieves also strangled three baby ducks during the raid.

"They probably strangled the ducks because they were noisy," Stephen Tippie said. "They were harmless ducks."

Family members think they know who stole the snakes. The Tippies have sent lists, pictures and faxes to breeders across the country, and have told local pet store owners to be on the lookout.

The Tippies said they hope Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies get a break that will lead to arrests, but they aren't holding their breath. Susin Tippie said that when exotic animals are stolen, they usually are shipped out of state quickly.

Plant City is about 20 miles east of Tampa.
Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Stephanie]

I hope the boa constrictors even the score!!!!

[Colin]

:o What is this World coming to? Hopefully those snakes will "pay them back..." Bwahahahahahaha!