Just an FYI for everyone there has been a person using the radio and internet asking for peoples kittens, these people are from Sydney MT and are misleading others, they are feeding these kittens that are givin to them to there pet snake, so please everyone just be aware that these people are not looking to keep your kitten as a pet

Oh no, how did you hear about this? I think they came and took two of my kitties?

Thank you for sharing that. I am so upset right now. Isn't that illegal? I have given several kittens away on this site that I put a lot of time & love into. I would turn them into authorities!

I heard about this from several different people. I am glad that word is getting around. What a horrible thing to do. People please be careful who you give your kittens to.
I am sure this is illegal.

I agree its wrong but I'm not sure how it could be illegal? Just a question.. Its wrong but against the law? Never thought about that.. People feed rats and mice to snakes.. A kitten is quite drastic though.

Why on earth would it be illegal?

I agree with Bridgier....this is an excellent use for unwanted kittens.

Far, far better than the feed sack weighted with stones tossed over the Kinsey bridge.

They should have brought the snake to Miles City to clean out the feral cats from the depot.

Actually, you've got this all wrong. They have been trying to get kittens to develop a fondness for python. Unfortunately, so far, that fat old squeezer has been hungrier than the little mewers they're feeding.

Never give away an animal for free. Kittens and puppies should all receive certain vaccinations by the time they are ready to adopt out to a new home, and it's your responsibility to see to it that they get them. Then, when you find a new home for the kitten/pup, you can charge the amount needed to reimburse yourself for those vet bills.

If somebody isn't willing to pay a few bucks for an animal, chances are very good they don't want it for a lifetime pet/companion and that doesn't bode well for the poor animal.

Of course, the best route is to spay and neuter your pets before they are able to breed. Problem solved before it hatches (or whatever).

Montana Code Annotated

45-8-211. Cruelty to animals -- exceptions. (1) A person commits the offense of cruelty to animals if, without justification, the person knowingly or negligently subjects an animal to mistreatment or neglect by:
(a) overworking, beating, tormenting, torturing, injuring, or killing the animal;

45-8-217. Aggravated animal cruelty. A person commits the offense of aggravated animal cruelty if the person purposely or knowingly:
(1) kills or inflicts cruelty to an animal with the purpose of terrifying, torturing, or mutilating the animal.

Diane,

Thanks for posting the law. As you can see, "without justification" is a great out that would make feeding cats to the snake perfectly legal.

I promise I'm not poking fun or anything - just letting the analytical lid off the can of worms but with regard to the law stating offenses - is the snake "doing the deed" (killing, eating) the one little bit that makes it different than a person doing it - thereby making the law applicable?

Yes, the person puts the animal in the tank knowing full-well the intended consequences but since the world is full of circle-of-life and all - a snake isn't capable of being held liable for a crime. Is that the reason one might be able to skirt around such a law?

I would assume that killing the animal to feed it to the snake would constitute a "reasonable" purpose.

I can purchase a live chicken for the purpose of rendering it into a dead chicken and consuming it myself or, alternatively, feeding it to my dogs - what, precisely is the difference here?

feathers vs. fur

Of course this is also one of the classic urban legends that pops
occasionally.

Well even if this law applied to other animals eating other animals how come its okay to feel a mouse or rat to a snake? Or a cricket to a lizard? All of which are animals and are being fed with intentions of what will happen.
There is no way that I can see this being illegal just because kittens are being involved..

I think that you'll find that big pet lovers don't like people feeding their snakes with mice either. My daughter needed 8 mice for a biology project. When we told the pet store employee what we wanted he made sure that we were not using them to feed snakes. In fact, the mouse tank had a sign that encouraged folks to bypass the mice and gave alternate food choices.

BTW, no mice were harmed in the experiment. Six were returned to the store (per the store's consent) and two have remained in my daughter's room. They're very cute.

is it ok to feed cats to the homeless?

Predators must be stopped! Get out there and capture the coyotes and feed them kibble. Think of all the rabbits and mice that you will save.

I think this debate is overlooking a central point, which has more to do with morality than legality.

There is nothing morally wrong with feeding kittens to a snake if that is what all parties involved agree to beforehand (well, all except the kitten, I suppose).

It appears that what is involved here is deception. The owner of a kitty-eating snake is representing him/herself to pet lovers as someone who wants to adopt little Fluffy as a companion animal, not as snake food.

That deception is what makes it wrong regardless of whether the law allows it or not.

[This message has been edited by Steve Craddock (12/21/2011)]

Well put, Steve!

As far as ordinances concerning animals, I think it's been proven you're safe to do as you please...at least until you get caught!

Thanks K.

I guess one could also question the morality of keeping a snake or any wild, non-domesticated animal as a pet, be it a canary or a caiman.

To me, anything that won't come home of its own accord at the end of the day for a meal and human companionship is not a pet. It may be livestock or a husband, both of which serve legitimate purposes and are therefore worth the trouble. But it ain't a pet.

So, with an exception for livestock (and husbands), if you need a fence or cage to keep an animal in your possession, then that animal is wild for all intents and purposes -- and the morality of imprisoning it is slim to none.

[This message has been edited by Steve Craddock (12/22/2011)]