Reptile fan with huge collection of snakes jailed for animal cruelty

Keith Ross had nearly 40 animals in his home. Photo: SWNS

A man who kept a mini zoo of snakes, scorpions, turtles and lizards in his one-bedroom flat has been caged.

Keith Ross has been jailed for 18 months for keeping a dangerous collection of animals, most of which were neglected and treated horrendously.

He has also been given a 10-year disqualification on keeping animals following an investigation.

His bizarre collection included a king cobra, said to be the world’s largest poisonous snake, as well as vipers and a rattlesnake.

Keith Ross with some of his snakes. Photo: SWNS

One snake kept by Ross was a boomslang and this species, according to one science website, has a bite that “makes you bleed from every orifice until you die”.

The forklift driver collected the creatures for six years and even displayed them at kids’ parties, charging around £80 an hour.

But cops, animal welfare officers and council staff raided the 27-year-old’s home in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, following an anonymous tip-off.

He admitted 18 charges relating to the animals when he appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court in January of this year.

The court heard that when officers arrived at his home for a search in March last year he failed to tell them about dangerous or poisonous snakes and scorpions.

He admitted this was “culpable and reckless conduct” which exposed the officers to the risk of harm and endangered their lives.

Following sentencing today, an inspector from SSPCA’s Special Investigations Unit, said: “Ross had a collection of reptiles in his home unlike anything we have seen before.

“The animals seized from Ross during the searches presented significant difficulty.

“This was a clear case of someone collecting animals and failing to provide for their needs with disastrous results for the animals.

“Several of the animals were caused unnecessary suffering from the appalling conditions,” he added.

“Many animals were on the verge of starvation and one lizard had to be put to sleep after it ate its own substrate from lack of feeding.”

He continued: “Whilst awaiting sentencing Ross breached the terms of his bail which prevented him keeping any live animal and he was found to be keeping fish, which he proceeded to plead guilty to.

“We are delighted that Ross has been dealt with by the courts and they have taken the extent of these animal welfare issues seriously.”

Welfare officers found that the boomslang, plus a boa constrictor, python and Californian kingsnake, had been neglected by Ross.

Three of the creatures had been confined to inadequately sized plastic tubs, injuries had not been treated and there was evidence of inadequate nutrition having been provided.

Two lizards had not been looked after properly and one was in such a state it had to be put down while Ross had not provided adequate clean water, heating and lighting for two turtles.

Ross also kept an alligator snapping turtle, two musk turtles and a common snapping turtle without access to clean water, heat or light.

A bearded dragon was found in a filthy tank without water or heat and had to be put down by vets.

Ross also illegally kept a deathstalker scorpion, two white-lipped vipers, a saw-scaled viper, a Western diamondback rattlesnake, a puff adder, a king cobra and two black-necked spitting cobras.

Ross admitted eight charges of neglect and nine of keeping “dangerous and wild animals” without a licence from North Lanarkshire Council.

All animals including, the venomous snakes, are now being cared for by specialist handlers.