Hello people, I’m in trouble!

As many of you know I’m passioned by reptiles, specially venomous snakes. On the 30th of January my apartment got busted by the German federal police, all my animals were seized and now I will face trial. The penalty can vary from a 10.000€ fine to 2 years in jail, but everything will depend on the judge and the prosecutor.

The laws and regulations on reptiles (specially venomous reptiles) are very greasy and confusing in my state, you can buy whatever you want (from a turtle to a black mamba) in the reptile show and the breeder in 90% of the cases will not even ask for your ID, in other hand, due to a recent -and considered unconstitutional by many lawyers and experts in the environment area- regulation you need a special permit for keeping them. I could go further explaining how absolutely confusing and senseless this regulation is, if you are interested on this topic please hit me up privately.

well, all my snakes were seized, the venomous and non venomous, ignoring the documents of origin of the animals (that were all bred and born within the EU) that I presented, they are now trying to make a case of illegal reptiles smuggling and illegal “import/ export” of animals. My animals were sent to a private zoo (that I rather don’t mention in order to avoid judicial consequences) ruled by the Hell’s Angels. The “experts” that came to my place weren’t able to identify even the most common of the species. My focus has always been on keeping vipers from specific biomes that are pretty hard to reproduce in captivity and requires lots of knowledge to provide the proper care, something that those completely ignorants that now have my animals in their hands are not able to do and they will for sure die within a short period of time or just been sold in the black market. unfortunately there’s nothing I can do about it.

My chances of not having a completely harsh end after trial are almost null, the first lawyer’s bill will cost me 2.000€, plus additionals of 200-250/ hour and god knows what else. All of this just to not end up in jail and try to get rid of the accusations of animal smuggling. There will be a huge fine in the end anyway.

This greasy regulation on venomous snakes will end in December of this year and what is happening to me is clearly a case where they want to show as an example in order to extend the restrictions.

Despite the depression for losing my beloved animals and the huge stress and trauma of being dragged out in underwear from my bed at 9am by 20 police officers is that in fact I’m bankrupt, tattoo appointments are very low atm and I can barely pay my rent on this month.

I really need to pay the first parcel of the lawyer on the 3rd of March and ANY contribution is already a great help.

* due to my lawyer’s recommendation I ask you to please do not share it in any social media.

thank you from the bottom of my heart for any contribution, greetings

Muri