An man from Edmonton who was illegally keeping two rattlesnakes in his home as pets has been fined $5,000.
Mathieu Lapointe, 22, pleaded guilty in court to possession of a controlled animal under the Wildlife Act.
Crown prosecutor Christian Lim told court that the rattlesnakes from B.C. were discovered on by city police during the execution of a search warrant.
Two officers heard hissing and rattling sounds and found the snakes in a secure tank at the city home, said Lim.
The prosecutor told court it was aggravating that Lapointe was keeping the snakes in a home, where there was a pregnant woman and a child living.
As well, Lim said the snakes could have posed harm to the ecosystem as a result of crossbreeding since they are not naturally found in Alberta.
Court heard the two seized rattlers were taken to Reptile World in Drumheller, Alta., and are now on display.
