Arlington County has adopted an amendment that bans the possession of poisonous reptiles in the County.

As of June 15, 2008, the possession of poisonous reptiles will be prohibited in Arlington County and any existing poisonous reptiles currently in the county must be removed.

"The safety of our residents is our top priority," said J. Walter Tejada, Chairman of the Arlington County Board. "This limited ban enables us to prohibit those poisonous animals that pose the greatest potential danger to our community."

Although there have been no reported fatalities from poisonous reptiles in the county, officials have acted to protect the public after residents expressed deep concern about a number of venomous snakes--some of them deadly--that were being kept in a County residence.

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