Texas park officials urge people not to kill rattlesnakes: 'We don't want people to needlessly kill

[TexasTowelie]

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is urging people not to kill snakes after a sheriff deputy’s deadly encounter with a rattlesnake went viral.

“Regardless of the snake you encounter, we don’t want people to needlessly kill them,” said Megan Radke, a spokeswoman with the agency.

Last week, Bee County Sheriff Deputy Sgt. Rick Villarreal was investigating a stolen vehicle abandoned at a cemetery in rural South Texas when he shot the rattlesnake. The sheriff’s office posted the encounter on Facebook as a way to urge residents to be mindful of venomous snakes as the season begins.

The post went viral, igniting a debate about Villarreal’s decision to kill the snake. Some have argued that he could have easily backed away from or found another way around the venomous snake. Others said Villarreal was in a tough position and made the quick but right call to kill the snake.

Read more: https://www.yourconroenews.com/neighborhood/moco/news/article/texas-deputy-shoots-rattlesnake-season-17036261.php

I agree that the deputy did not need to kill the snake since it was at a cemetery and the area shouldn't have a lot of people around. However, when I was young my father killed rattlesnakes in our backyard and our neighbor's front porch. I agree with those decisions my father made because of the potential harm to everyone in the neighborhood.

[hlthe2b]

1. Snakes & spiders in/around my house: poisonous goes; nonvenomous can eat the former and hang around.

I do relocate bull snakes, though because, while they do eat rattlesnakes, they eat my protected wild rabbits and their young.

[texasfiddler]

2. I used to kill poisonous snakes at my place. However, now I relocate them away from my property.

There is a pretty large ranch a few miles away that I relocate rattlesnakes and copperheads. The owner of the ranch is a big drump supporter.