Board takes bite out of snake plan

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah will remain one of 12 states in the nation that don't allow residents to keep venomous snakes.

The Utah Wildlife Board on Thursday unanimously voted down a proposal that would have allowed people to collect and keep up to 34 Great Basin rattlesnakes.

The proposal — sought by several snake enthusiasts — was panned by government officials and members of the public.

The Division of Wildlife Resources' native aquatic species coordinator, Krissy Wilson, says the proposed rule included provisions intended to keep the public safe.

At the same time, she says she understands why some members of the public would have been nervous about legalizing venomous snakes as pets.

Under the proposal, residents would have been limited to nine adult rattlers and up to 25 young snakes.