Search and removal for bear, venomous snake cost Raleigh PD $10,000
The Raleigh Police Department spent more than $10,000 in personnel costs, gas and supplies to resolve two recent wildlife situations in the city.
The more costly incident was the capture of a venomous zebra cobra which slithered its way to a porch on Sandringham Drive before it was snagged with a glue trap and removed June 30. The resident of that home alerted authorities on June 28, and the snake was linked to an owner about a half-mile away.
The supplies to capture the snake cost Raleigh police just $60, but manpower to track and catch it added up to $8,177.92. The department spent an additional $1,300 in gas.
The removal of a bear from a tree near UNC Rex Hospital on July 13 was a much cheaper affair. Raleigh police reported having spent $848.45 on that effort – $784 in personnel and $63 in gas. A police spokeswoman shared the cost data with WRAL News Thursday.
The two animal stories, coming back to back, shined a light on Raleigh's lack of a policy for the ownership of exotic animals, an issue set to be discussed Thursday night in a virtual town hall.
Sen. Jay Chaudhuri, D-Wake, is proposing legislation that would prohibit possession of exotic animals like non-native venomous snakes in the state and big cats.
"It would be grandfathered and allow folks who own inherently dangerous animals to do so, but, as a qualification, you need to register that animal with a state agency. And you also need to purchase $1 million in liability insurance. Secondly, because it’s a grandfather rule, once the animal passes away, the prohibition will kick in place," said Chaudhuri.
Chaudhuri, Sen. Wiley Nickel, D-Wake, and Raleigh City Councilman David Knight are among those wanting to ban possession of exotic animals like non-native venomous snakes and big cats. Earlier this month, Knight went on record to call the ownership of the snake "irresponsible, reckless and dangerous behavior."
Nickel and Chaudhuri are putting together a bill that would prohibit the possession of non-native snakes.
“North Carolina has virtually no regulations for the keeping of venomous snakes and dangerous animals. The lack of adequate regulation has recently put the citizens of Wake County in danger," Nickel said.
Christopher Gifford, 21, is facing 40 charges in connection with the escape of the snake. His first court date is August 6.
The town hall is set for 5 p.m. You can register online to participate or email emily.hennen@ncleg.gov.
