Dozens of reptiles removed from Ga. man’s home
Mar 28, 2013, 3:11 AM
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) – A Savannah man has been charged with several counts of animal cruelty after police pulled more than a dozen reptiles from his then-home.
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police spokeswoman Eunicia Baker says Brian Nettles was housing an American alligator, three pythons, two geckos, a monitor lizard, a red tail boa constrictor, two tortoises and seven turtles. Three dead turtles and a dead rat were also found.
The reptiles were taken into custody by local animal control. The Georgia Reptile Society has agreed to seek appropriate medical care.
Nettles, who owns a business specializing in small animal shows, was also cited for possessing the American alligator.
Nettles told The Associated Press late Wednesday that he plans to contest the charges. Acknowledging it “looked terrible,” Nettles said he was in the process of moving when officials showed up and found the animals in containers. The 25-year-old said he typically keeps them in large enclosures and strives to rescue and teach people about reptiles.
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