There are just not enough words to describe how I feel about situations like this; it is quite simply sick. I agree with Rich that we all need stricter laws regarding crimes like animal cruelty, i have no time for people who can do such things. My heart goes out to the people who owned these animals, I can't imagine what they are going through. It's a sad world, and I hope the criminals are brought to justice in some way or form. I hope the animals that didn't make it are over the rainbow in a better place.

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

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Two arrests made in snake killings
By Renée Ruelas-Venegas For the Sun-News

Roy Thibodeau takes Gloria, a 10-foot albino Burmese
python, to the veterinarian Sept. 11 after she was
stabbed during a burglary at Las Cruces Reptile
Rescue. (Sun-News file photo by Norm Dettlaff)

LAS CRUCES — Two teenagers were arrested Friday for
allegedly killing several snakes and stealing other
reptiles from the Las Cruces Reptile Rescue more than
two weeks ago.

The attack happened sometime between Sept. 10 and 11
when Mike Daniels, the head of the rescue group, was
at work. Daniels returned home to find his home in a
shambles and more than two dozen reptiles missing.
Some of the snakes that were left behind had been
stabbed and least five reptiles were killed.

A mountain bike, DVDs and other items had been taken
from the home.

Doña Ana County Sheriff's Investigator Robyn Gojkovich
said a tip to Crime Stoppers Friday morning led them
to the home of a 17-year-old on Missile Lane on the
East Mesa, just two blocks from the location of the
burglary.

Gojkovich said investigators recovered 19 turtles, the
mountain bike and tools from the home on Missile Lane.

The investigation then took them across the street
where they questioned a second teenager.

John Vasquez and Felix Montoya, both 17, were arrested
after they admitted to the crime. They are charged
with residential burglary, larceny, criminal damage to
property, disposing of stolen property and conspiracy.

Both teenagers were taken to the Doña Ana County
Detention Center where they are being held without
bond.

Gojkovich said 15 missing snakes were set free into
the desert by the teens.

Former Reptile Rescue president Roy Thibodeau said he
was ecstatic when he learned of the arrests Friday
afternoon.

"I was really happy," said Thibodeau. "This was
something that should not be ignored. It was
horrible."

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Well it's good that they are in custody, but I don't see any animal cruelty charges up there!

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"If you're not falling, you're not trying." - Sonni Trotter

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

Exactly what I first noticed Lacey,,,,insane.

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Ken
" The United States Marine Corps......sure we are a department of the Navy,,,,,,we're the MENS department "

Why would someone do that??

This is so cruel and terrible!!

Prosecutors can still level animal cruelty charges against them, although they may drop those charges to get a conviction on the other more "serious" charges. I would really lke to hear their "reasoning" for doing what they did. I hope that the snakes they freed into the desert can survive although I'm sure the desert isn't exactly hospitable for some of the species stolen.

I don't wish pain and death on them, I am not that way but I do hope that the time they spend in prison opens their eyes. Maybe living like and with animals will give them better perspective on the killing of them.

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~Chris

It is better I think to reach for the stars than to sit flustered because you know you cannot reach them, at least he who reaches will get a good view, a good stretch and perhaps even a low hanging apple for the effort.
-R.A. Salvatore

Oh my gosh....this is such a horrible thing to hear about !! I spent a year on a board of directors with Roy....He reminded me of Fran. The rescue was his heart and passion.

I'm glad to hear they caught the boys that did this....

Did anyone hear the outcome of these kids trials? Did they get animal cruelty charges as well?

I agree 100% that the punishment should fit the crime. The fact that you get more jail time and bigger fines for carrying a joint than for beating an animal literally to death.... really the laws should reflect our society's morals/ethics. I hate to think this is true of our current laws/punishments, that we don't acutally care if someone inflicts this kind of cruelty on another creature.