Tanks of venomous spiders seized
Animal Control says some 'agressive,' but not 'killer spiders'
By Dolly A. Butz, Journal staff writer | Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2008
One of the captured tarantulas in a cage at Animal Control Friday. (Staff photo by Jim Lee)
SIOUX CITY -- Animal Control officers seized 15 tanks filled with different species of venomous spiders from a Sioux City residence in the 2400 block of Shield Ave. Thursday.
Cindy Rarrat, owner of Sioux City Animal Control, said an anonymous caller alerted Animal Control about the tarantulas, which are not indigenous to Iowa. She said there were spiders of all different sizes and shapes and that she couldn't speculate as to how many there actually were.
"It's like counting guppies in a fish bowl," she said. "There's just too many of them"
Tarantulas, large hairy spiders of which there are about 900 species, are found in tropical and desert regions of the world.
Some of the spiders are "aggressive," according to Rarrat, and contain venom. She said they could be dangerous to certain people, depending on their allergy levels, but she said they are not "killer spiders."
"These animals are considered dangerous per the city ordinance, and therefore were seized due to that violation," she said.
The owners were "very compliant" in surrendering the spiders and were not cited for any violations, according to Rarrat. She said she isn't quite sure what the owners' motives were for keeping the spiders. She said they may have kept them as pets, as well as sold them.
Rarrat said she has seen just about every type of exotic animal come through the doors at Animal Control, but she said she has never had spiders of this quantity before.
"It was pretty unusual, but nothing surprises me anymore," she said.
Rarrat, who said four wolf hybrids were also seized in Sioux City Thursday, wants to further remind people to check with city ordinances before getting a pet.
"Know what the rules and regulations are for having them before it's too late and we are tipped off," she said. "Unfortunately we have to be the bad guys who have to go out there and remove them because they're animals that are not allowed."
Cindy Rarrat, owner of Sioux City Animal Control, said an anonymous caller alerted Animal Control about the tarantulas, which are not indigenous to Iowa. She said there were spiders of all different sizes and shapes and that she couldn't speculate as to how many there actually were.
"It's like counting guppies in a fish bowl," she said. "There's just too many of them"
Tarantulas, large hairy spiders of which there are about 900 species, are found in tropical and desert regions of the world.
Some of the spiders are "aggressive," according to Rarrat, and contain venom. She said they could be dangerous to certain people, depending on their allergy levels, but she said they are not "killer spiders."
"These animals are considered dangerous per the city ordinance, and therefore were seized due to that violation," she said.
The owners were "very compliant" in surrendering the spiders and were not cited for any violations, according to Rarrat. She said she isn't quite sure what the owners' motives were for keeping the spiders. She said they may have kept them as pets, as well as sold them.
Rarrat said she has seen just about every type of exotic animal come through the doors at Animal Control, but she said she has never had spiders of this quantity before.
"It was pretty unusual, but nothing surprises me anymore," she said.
Rarrat, who said four wolf hybrids were also seized in Sioux City Thursday, wants to further remind people to check with city ordinances before getting a pet.
"Know what the rules and regulations are for having them before it's too late and we are tipped off," she said. "Unfortunately we have to be the bad guys who have to go out there and remove them because they're animals that are not allowed."
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Atrax wrote on Apr 26, 2009 12:46 PM:
Atrax wrote on Apr 26, 2009 12:43 PM:
Cannot imagine why she said "dangerous", they're not any more dangerous than bees and I don't see bees being seized from someone. They should heed more to real crime and leave ppl to have their pets.
I don't like hearing a dog barking constantly around my house and drilling my brains with that barking, but noone seizes them.
I would rather see my neighbours have tarantulas (you don't even notice that they are there) than dogs and sorts.
Sometimes I cannot belive the stupidity of some. "
Ken wrote on Sep 17, 2008 6:10 PM:
TCC wrote on Sep 13, 2008 6:41 AM:
WesTex wrote on Sep 12, 2008 10:05 PM: