RCReptiles.com

[reptilehunter]

Investigators seize alligator in classroom
Number of reptiles in poor health found at Willow Run High
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
BY LIZ COBBS
Ann Arbor News
News Staff Reporter

[b]A 3- to 4-foot-long alligator was among a number of reptiles seized from Willow Run High School on Tuesday by local Humane Society investigators.

The investigators also removed a python, an iguana and turtles from a science classroom after the animals were discovered in poor health.

The alligator was contained in what animal cruelty investigator Julie Curtis described as a "Plexiglassetting.'' Curtis said the reptile expert accompanying her considered the alligator to be too "dangerous to be in a classroom with children.''

Willow Run Superintendent Ron Ciranna said Tuesday the district is cooperating with the Humane Society. He said the animals, including the alligator, were at the school as part of science projects, including learning about their care and feeding and observing the different characteristics of the animals.

Ciranna said he personally was unaware of the reptiles' existence until now. He declined to comment on who brought the animals to school and what, if any, kind of permission had been given.

Tanya Hilgendorf, executive director of the Humane Society of Huron Valley, said the investigation began after Curtis received tips about the reptiles.

Curtis said she went to the classroom Monday and found most of about a dozen reptiles in "deplorable conditions.'' Curtis said she could not comment on whether someone had checked on the creatures over the summer while school was out, but "obviously, there was severe neglect.''

The reptiles, most of them in aquariums, were checked on site by a veterinarian, Curtis said.

Ciranna said Humane Society personnel made an appointment with him to come to the school Tuesday morning. He met with them, and after several hours, they took the animals, Ciranna said.

He declined further comment until the investigation is complete.

Also found was an emaciated green iguana that was "eating away at its own bones'' because it did not have calcium, which green iguanas require, Curtis said. The iguana was euthanized Monday.

Curtis said 12 reptiles were removed and placed in a rehabilitation setting for reptiles.

It is not certain whether there will be any requests for prosecution because the Humane Society has just started its investigation, Curtis said.

Hilgendorf said the case is disturbing.

"Obviously, we think adults carry an extra responsibility for teaching young people respect for life and caring that's dependent on them,'' Hilgendorf said. "I'm concerned about the message this is giving to young people.''

[slitheringin]

That is absolutely disgusting There is no excuse.

On FaunaClassifieds, there were 2 ads requesting snakes from "anyone wishing to give them away" to 2 teachers for use as "behavior modifications"; one teacher already had "52 snakes" and another had "22 snakes", both at the same school in Florida. Makes me wonder