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Deadly vipers discovered in South Langley house

Citing hazard to public, conservation officers euthanize poisonous snakes
24656langleyNeuwied-slanceheadviperwebversion
A Neuwied's lancehead viper like this one was found in a Langley house.

The poisonous Neuwied's lancehead viper is responsible for more deaths than any other type of snake in North America.

Left untreated, the viper's bite will kill one in 14 victims.

Just as dangerous is the bite of the Mexican cantil pit viper, which can cause death in a matter of hours.

One of each was discovered in a Langley Township house near 248 Street and 24 Avenue on Monday, Aug. 19.

B.C. Conservation Officer Service Inspector Chris Doyle says the vipers were euthanized at the scene.

"There was imminent risk to the safety of the officers and the public," Doyle said.

The snakes are banned in B.C. as prohibited species under the Wildlife Act.

Doyle said the investigation into incident is continuing.

The Langley discovery comes just days after conservation officers were called to a small one-storey home on Van Velzen Avenue in Mission after a renter was evicted and dozens of snakes were found in the residence.

Officers discovered 46 reticulated pythons, which are prohibited under the Controlled Alien Species Regulation of the Wildlife Act, as well as about 50 other snakes, including boas and gopher and king snakes.

At the time, Doyle said  said the pythons – the longest of which was 14 feet – had to euthanized by a veterinarian because there was nowhere for them to go and they posed "a public safety risk."

Earlier this month, in New Brunswick, two young boys sleeping at a friend's house were killed by an African rock python.

 

- with files from Black Press

 

 



Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, I’m the guy you’ll often see out at community events and happenings around town.
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