Guest Author - Peyton Creadick

In Las Cruces, New Mexico, every animal rescuer’s nightmare came true on September 10th when vandals targeted the home of the Las Cruces Reptile Rescue’s director Mike Daniels. The worst happened. The vandals didn’t simply break windows and leave. They damaged the house so severely, it was rendered uninhabitable. Then, they went on a killing spree: a reptile killing spree.

The vandals used knives, frying pans, stones, and even a fireplace poker to maim, torture, and kill several reptiles leaving a 10 foot female albino Burmese python in critical condition with stab wounds about her head and body and several turtles with badly damaged shells from the rock attacks.

In the wake of the violence, the bodies of one Reticulated Python, one Bearded Dragon, two Gray-Banded Kingsnakes, two Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes, and one Round-tail Horned Lizard were found. Having rescued them from being abused, abandoned, or unwanted once, their rescuers couldn’t save them a second time.

The vandals, it seems, didn’t stop at killing and destroying. After beating some animals so severely that the handles on the frying pans snapped off, damaging cages and supplies, they stole two baby Burmese Pythons, six Corn Snakes, and five Milk Snakes to uncertain fates.

In the aftermath of the death, damage, and horror of the night’s events, the rescue is looking at 6,000-7,000 in costs to get back on its feet. There are no suspects, though fingerprints and evidence has been collected.

Nothing is more horrific than the victimization of already abused animals and children. Rescuers pour their hearts, souls, time, and money into saving animals that other people have abused, neglected, simply thrown aside. Once in awhile a bad rescue comes along, but for the most part, they’re here to help. They need our support.

If you want to help the Las Cruces Reptile Rescue, please see the links at the bottom of the article. Donations can be sent via PayPal or via mail (check or money order) to the following address:

Las Cruces Reptile Rescue, 9321 Corona Road, Las Cruces, New Mexico. 88012.