One of the rescued snakes

BALTIMORE — A tip reporting a bad smell led authorities to confiscate dozens of sick snakes from a Baltimore apartment.

City Animal Control officials said they recovered 66 snakes, most of which are in severely bad shape, from a house on Callow Street. Authorities said many of the snakes are sick and three had to be euthanized.

“Most of the cages were unsanitary. We removed them for their safety,” said Bob Lukiewski, an animal enforcement officer. “They had mites and things like that. Some of them had decaying rodents inside.”

Animal Control took the snakes to the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, which is primarily a shelter for dogs and cats.

“We don’t turn you away. If there are animals in need, we’re going to take them in and we’re going to do everything to save their life, and that does depend on resources,” said Jennifer Brause, with BARCS.

BARCS has cared for snakes before, but never this many. They are able to treat the sick ones and keep the healthier ones in a warm, safe environment.

“We have them in all sizes. There was one I was holding that was really small … and we have one that’s about 10 feet (long),” said Lisa Morabito, with BARCS.

A permit is required to own any type of snake in Baltimore City, and the snake has to be under 5 feet long.

BARCS will find a permanent home for all the snakes after nursing them back to health.

BARCS has the vets on staff to care for the snakes, but they’ve never taken in this many, so they are asking for help. Tap here to see their Amazon wish list for supplies.

Source: WBAL