Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 7, 1993                   TAG: 9305070116
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                                LENGTH: Medium

IF IT'S A SNAKE, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU

"Just 'cause some old lady is scared to death doesn't mean she has the right to ban my pet from something he loves," Longman said as he looked at Luther, his 6-foot boa constrictor.

The City Council this week banned all animals except dogs and cats from Atlantic Avenue from Memorial Day through Labor Day. "We passed this for the comfort and security of our citizens as well as our 2 1/2 million visitors per year," said Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf.

Longman said the ban isn't fair for pets like Luther.

"This isn't a viper," he said. "This isn't a rattlesnake or a cobra. This is just a harmless, beautiful South American red-tailed boa."

Luther and Longman enjoy warm days on the Boardwalk. "That's a lot of fun taking him down there," Longman said. "He gets the sunshine. He gets out of the house. He loves it. But, I guess, no more."

"I'm gonna miss that," he said. "That's heart-breaking, man."

The ban also applies to such pets as parrots and potbellied pigs.

Michael Weeks, who owns a business that removes snakes from homes, said the ban will help efforts to educate people about snakes.

"By having irresponsible individuals parade around for freak effect, it really undermines our efforts," he said. "They're more concerned with shocking people. There's a place for snakes. Unfortunately, that place is not the Boardwalk. All we need is one heart attack."

But Chris Burke, who works in the reptile department of a pet store, said people can be afraid of dogs as well as snakes. "If you don't like snakes, the sidewalk's big enough to go around," he said.