The Americas



Four young men got more than a meal when they killed and grilled a timber rattlesnake in western Maryland – they were hit with fines of 200 US dollars (£130) each in court.

Up close and personal with rattlesnakes

Up close and personal with rattlesnakes Image by Michael Delaney

The men, from Glen Burnie, pleaded guilty to possessing or destroying the rattlesnake, a state-protected species, on Tuesday. Each was fined 500 dollars, with 300 dollars suspended. All received probation before judgment, meaning their convictions can be expunged after probationary periods ranging from 14 to 28 months.
Police said the men were camping in the Green Ridge State Forest in August when they killed the snake with a BB gun and grilled it.

(Press Association)