Dangerous snakes found in Langley home euthanized

Two venomous vipers were euthanized in Langley this week after they were determined to be a danger to the public.

According to Insp. Chris Doyle, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service became involved after someone called the B.C. SPCA to report that the snakes were at risk of being abandoned.

Conservation officers and a veterinarian went to a home near 248th Street and 24th Avenue in south Langley on Monday and found that the vipers — a Neuwied’s lance head viper and a Mexican cantil viper — were in containers from which they could have easily escaped.

The home was divided into two rental units, one of which was rented by the owner of the snakes while the other was occupied by another family. Doyle was unable to say if there were any children living in the home. Doyle said the one rescue facility in B.C. equipped to take care of the snakes, which are prohibited species under the Controlled Alien Species Regulation of the Wildlife Act, was not in a position to accept them.

“The snakes (were) a danger to the public as well as the officers and the veterinarian,” Doyle said.

Doyle said the owner of the snakes could face charges under the Wildlife Act. Last week conservation officers seized and euthanized 46 pythons in Mission after the property owners discovered about 100 snakes at the rental property.