Sedona (azfamily) – The city of Sedona is debating the possibility of a ban on exotic animals such as snakes, lizards and spiders in public places. Vendors use the animals as tourist attractions in the city.
The debate follows an animal cruelty case in which police seized dozens of these animals, found in horrifying conditions, and some died.
Walking through Uptown Sedona and other high tourist destinations, you may have noticed that those on the sidewalk attract tourists, such as lizards, spiders, or even pythons around their necks.
Snakes, spiders, and other non-common house pets may not be everyone’s tea Russ Johnson, President of Phoenix Herpetology Sanctuarysaid their lives were exactly the same. “Just because they don’t speak, doesn’t mean they don’t feel pain,” Johnson said.
In 2023 he was called to assist Sedona police in an investigation into animal cruelty. Police pulled John Duff, a well-known street vendor who introduced tourists to animals such as snakes, spiders and lizards. Johnson said what they found was nothing he had ever seen before.
“We found seven dead animals that had been dead for quite some time, and there were animals starving for death,” he said. “It was the worst thing I’ve been working with PHS in 25 years.”
Eight snakes were found dead at the scene, and Johnson said there were about 12 of them in such bad condition that the vet couldn’t save. In total, more than 50 animals were also seized, including lizards, mice and spiders.
“People don’t really care that it’s a reptile, but if this was Bambi, there would be public protests that can’t be done,” Johnson said. Duff pleaded guilty to three counts of animal cruelty this April.
Tuesday, Sedona City Council We met to discuss the adoption of an ordinance that would prohibit public “exotic” animal displays in public places so that cases like Duff do not happen again. The council decided to promote the vote in August so that certain members could modify some languages that they wanted to change for clarity.
Seth Byerley works with a nonprofit that raises reptiles that require temporary homes. He said Duff gives them all the bad raps, but if the city bans them, it would be difficult for them to make money to care for the animals.
“It won’t affect Mr. Duff. He seems to be on three years of probation,” Buyer said. “You can’t touch animals anyway. So, it affects people like this who have never dealt with animals, or this is a military family deployed. They have to take care of the animals from someone and we don’t charge anything for our services. The only way we can care for these animals is by giving.”
Johnson said something needs to be done to ensure the safety of the animals. “These are animals, and we should be caretakers, not abusers,” he said.
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