Let me get this straight. A guy studying snakes brings them into the State without a permit, the State takes the snakes, and while they are in State custody the snakes die? Why didn't the State leave the snakes with the guy, who knew how to care for them, or make him take them back to the wild? This is our moronic government at work!!

Many of the snakes were so emaciated at trial that they looked more like worms than snakes. Those are the few that survived. Is this how the state protects wildlife? Then again, non-game animals have never been priority in a state that values hunting above all else, and considers it the highest form of resource management. Hoyer may be guilty as charged, but at least he maintains a healthy collection of Rubber Boas - a species that is known for being difficult to keep in captivity.

Watch out anyone who deals with bringing animals into the state. As the statute reads, every animal that is brought in needs a veterinary certificate. So bring in a $5 hamster and you better be prepared to pay tens of dollars for a certificate of health. Or, just don't get on the DWR's bad side by trying to suggest changes to the regulations. That's what happened to Mr. Hoyer. Who says the Utah Government isn't heavy handed or hot headed?

With out a permit the snakes are legally considered protected wildlife belonging to the state under the jurisdiction of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Hoyer never had a case.

You don't read very well do you. The snakes were not from Utah, and he wasn't convicted of having protected wildlife those charges were dropped. He was convicted of not having the vet certs only.

Let me get this straight. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is responsible for protecting wildlife. Hoyer and his dad are THE leading experts on rubber boas and have dedicated their lives to understanding and protecting the wild populations of these unusual and ofter misunderstood snakes. Sounds like they should all be on the same side. HOWEVER, Hoyer stepped on a few toes by suggesting changes in UDWR regulations. UDWRs childish and heavy-handed response was to set-up Hoyer on trumped up charges in order to discredit him and shut him up. They then neglected the animals they were supposed to protect and ended up killing them all. Ultimately, all the serious charges were proven to be false and he was convicted of a silly little technical violation. So, because he failed to have a vet certify the health of these animals, the UDWR killed them. At least now we know the state of their health! Better go get your dogs, cats, gerbils, parakeets, goldfish, etc certified before UDWR realizes that the pet store that imported them never got them certified. BTW, the UDWR never had a vet certify their health either! I guess the laws don't apply to the state.

Its Ironic, Utah upholds a law stating the animals need a veterinary certificate. Yet KILL every one of the rubber boas during the ordeal. Where is PETA when you need them. This is a complete outrage. I will never spend one minute or one dollar in Utah. So let me get this straight they want to charge Hoyer with a different conviction, and are able too. So they search through every law they can find and come up with this?

This is an OUTRAGE and a crime against wildlife and science.

Utah should be ashamed