A law making it illegal to display a snake in public remained law, however. City Council member Frannie Heizer, who ramrodded the new animal-control ordinance into existence, said she was flexible on the snake issue. If Columbia city staff recommends an outright ban or other restrictions such as registration fees, the city will have a public hearing, Heizer said. If the city doesn't take a thoughtful approach, Bennett said, science teachers who keep corn snakes in their classrooms will end up breaking the law. That just doesn't make sense to me.
Corn snakes are nonvenomous, gentle snakes native to South Carolina.
They're appreciated by people who like snakes because of their bright orange or red color. But they are also constrictors, Bennett said. Snake hobbyists called the proposed ban extreme, although some said restrictions may be warranted. Problems with pet snakes in the Midlands have been minimal compared to those with dogs, he said. If properly handled, snakes are no more dangerous than dogs and cats, snake enthusiasts said.