New York Man Caught With Live Rattlesnake, Severed Head In Freezer

A New York man has been cited for attempting to harvest a Timber rattlesnake. Authorities also discovered the head of a Timber rattlesnake in the suspects freezer inside the man's apartment.

According to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), collecting Timber rattlesnakes from the wild is now prohibited by law under Environmental Conservation Law 11-0535 and 11-0103(2)(c). However, poachers are still actively supplying the black market pet trade.

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On Sunday July 28th, DEC officers responded to a complaint about a timber rattlesnake left inside a bucket outside a residence in the Town of Wawarsing. Following an investigation it was determined that an individual removed the snake from another property and brought it back to his apartment inside the bucket.

DEC officers learned the same subject also possessed the head of another timber rattlesnake in a freezer inside his apartment. The defendant admitted to capturing the live rattlesnake and possessing the snake head in his freezer and voluntarily surrendered both.

a large snake is curled up on the ground

The subject received tickets for taking and possessing a threatened species in New York State, returnable to the Town of Wawarsing Court. The live rattlesnake was released back into the wild and the snake head was secured as evidence. Watch video of the snake's release HERE.

Read more; Hudson Valley, Top 5 Most Rattlesnake Infested Region of the Country

Contrary to popular opinion, a rattlesnake will not pursue or attack a person unless threatened or provoked. Such instances are likely a result of the observer being between the snake and it's point of cover.