Show Rattler Pranks Backfires Into Cruelty Crucify Charges Once again Vernal has received state attention in the news media for pranks terrorizing the public performed by several sev sov eral men of th the Vernal area LATEST NOVELTY is to toss a live Uve rattlesnake unexpectedly on bars and pool tables and wave them on sticks towards children and adults In a frightening man nor nero The two rattlesnakes used In a threatening threat threatt ening erring manner here had their mouths sewed shut with fishing line type material mater lal ial reported Thomas A A. A Little Vernal director of the Humane Society AS A result of their action Gary Serrano Serrano Ser rano and Dallas Rowley both 25 were cited in a complaint signed by Mr Little for tormenting and depriving an animal of necessary sustenance a by Utah law taw According to Moffatt County Colorado Sheriff reports the men were observed In Craig September 22 with the snakes their mouths being sewed shut The Colorado Colo Colo- rado officers told the men to dispose of the snakes which were reported captured about 20 miles north of Craig WHILE SERRANO and Rowley claim they ate one of the rattlesnakes Mr Little seized the remaining four and one one- half foot long snake and put it to sleep and then froze it so it could be used for evidence in the future trial The snakes were unable to take nourishment nourIshment nour since at least the of last month when they were seen by Craig officers reported Mr Little IN A letter to Mr Little from LaMar Farnsworth Hogle Zoo director Salt Lake City it is ii explained that rattlesnakes rattle snakes must take nourishment at least once a week unless hibernating Snakes require more specialized care than any of our other animals stated Mr Farnsworth The shock alone of the operation you described would in my opinion be enough to stop a snake from eating Coupled with this the infection that would result and the fact that they of course cannot be fed seals their d death ath warrant even though released later la Ia- ter the letter stated The two have pleaded not guilty and have each been released on bail bonds PRELIMINARY HEARING on the charge of animal cruelty earring a maximum maxi mum fine of or t three h r e e months in jail or both for every such offense has been set for October 19 at 2 pm p.m. 3 tr fl r. r s v va U 2 r t i i f a I y f It l lt t t 1 M i r w a 1 r a i if f I I e u t A THIS IS ONE of the Diamondback rattlesnakes causing the excitement re resulting resulting re- re suiting in animal crudity charges This reptile is over four and one half lf feet long and one inch and a half in diameter Knots in the string that hold the snakes mouth shut can barely been seen just in front of its it's eyes Eight large rattles gave out a buzzing warning that would make anyone anyone any any- one off back-off in a hurry |