War on Snakes

As a result of a month-long investigation, a major raid was made last week. The raid involved heavy news media coverage, police, fire, zoning, health, and animal control officers, and lasted several hours. From the magnitude of the operation, one might have concluded that this was a raid on a major narcotics distribution center, but that was not the case.

Instead, the target was a house whose owner was in possession of snakes over 3 feet in length, and the animal control bureaucracy had defined snakes over 3 feet long to be dangerous wild animals--hence unlawful to keep within the city.

Animal Control regarded this offense as so heinous that a citation, summons, or court injunction delivered by one of its officers could not suffice. Only a massive raid and seizure of the animals could protect the city and its citizens.

This raid raises serious questions about law enforcement priorities in San Diego. It certainly makes the city look quite ridiculous when it claims to have a shortage of officers to fight violent crime.

I would not care to be the person trying to explain to the Legislature why San Diego needs so much financial assistance for this purpose; by the time the laughter stopped, the request would never be treated seriously, nor would any similar request.

RICHARD J. PLOCK

San Diego