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If you have a pet snake or are looking into getting one, you might be keen on the idea of taking your pet with you when you go out to eat. Besides, who doesn’t love a snake? These scaly reptiles make adorable pets and enjoy the company. So, can you bring them to your favorite diner?
You cannot bring a snake to a restaurant, as they do not qualify as service animals, creating food-safety risks. However, you might be able to bring your snake if the restaurant owner approves of it.
Read on if you’re interested in learning more about the laws surrounding bringing a snake into a restaurant. Soon you’ll be a pro in animal and food establishment laws.
Why Can’t You Bring a Snake Into a Restaurant?
Snakes make great pets in many ways. They’re interesting, fantastic to watch, and very smart. If you’re a snake owner, you’ll know that not everyone feels so fondly for snakes. Some people may even become frightened and run if they see one in public.
When it comes to bringing your snake into a restaurant, it’s not a good idea. The reasons why include:
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Snakes are unsanitary animals and cannot be trained to behave in a restaurant
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Snakes can scare other restaurant guests
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Snakes cannot be service animals, so, therefore, cannot enter public establishments
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Snakes can pose a danger to the public, depending on their type
Aside from these things, do you want your pet snake slithering around in your food while you’re trying to have a meal? Unfortunately, you can’t efficiently train snakes, so it’s hard to watch their behavior when you’re in a setting such as a restaurant.
Why Can’t Snakes Be Service Animals?
Even in the few states where a “service animal” isn’t defined as a “dog or mini-horse,” snakes cannot be service animals. This law is due to a few factors.
The ADA defined service animals as animals that provide one or more physical tasks that aid in a disability, and they are usually a dog or mini-horse.
If you have a snake, you cannot train it to perform tasks such as opening doors, retrieving items, guiding you, or alerting you to any health issues. For this reason, snakes cannot be service animals and do not receive the rights that a service animal receives, such as entering public spaces.
Where Can I Take My Snake?
If you were looking forward to bringing your snake to Denny’s next weekend, we’re sorry to burst your bubble. There are some places where you can bring your snake. Some of those include:
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Snake and reptile expos
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Public parks
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Any outdoor public area that is pet-friendly
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Pet stores and suppliers that allow exotic pets to enter
Disclaimer: Never bring a venomous or dangerous snake into the public where it could potentially hurt someone.
Where Can’t I Take My Snake?
If you’re wondering where your snake won’t be allowed, here are some other establishments and situations where bringing your snake would be a bad or illegal idea.
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Public stores, such as grocery stores
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Restaurants, bars, and cafes
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School
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Government buildings
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Indoor public buildings
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Hospitals and medical buildings
You must follow the law and keep your snake at home, even if you’re anxious to bring him out for the world to see.
Is Owning a Snake Illegal?
In some states, even just owning a snake as a pet is illegal. You do not have the right to own a snake in those states, let alone bring it outside to any pet-friendly area. Those states include:
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Vermont
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Maryland
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New Jersey
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New York
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Washington
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California
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Delaware
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Tennessee
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Georgia
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Illinois
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New Hampshire
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Florida
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Iowa
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Indiana
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Kansas
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Missouri
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Louisiana
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Connecticut
This list may seem like a lot of states, but 32 states allow you to have a snake as a pet, so if you’re a super reptile-enthusiast, you can plan your move to one of those areas.
In areas where snake-owning is illegal, there are sometimes laws and regulations that allow you to own a snake if you are doing so for wildlife preservation reasons or for a zoo. However, only trained professionals fall under this category.
FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about bringing your pet snake in public.
Is There Any Situation Where You Can Bring a Snake Into a Restaurant?
Yes. You can bring a snake into a restaurant only if the restaurant owner approves it, and it won’t cause any health code violations. Usually, this will mean bringing the snake to a pet-friendly approved area.
However, even if the restaurant owner allows you to bring your snake, the guests at the restaurant might not be so keen to stay and eat.
Do Snakes Like to Go In Public?
Snakes generally do not like to leave their home. Snakes are sensitive animals and can get stressed quickly. A lot of noise and distraction can make them act out and even bite. It’s best to keep your snake at home, in most cases.
What Types of Snakes Cannot Go in Public?
You cannot bring your snake in public if it is venomous or dangerous. Constrictor snakes such as Boa Constrictors and Anacondas are a big no, even if they aren’t venomous. These snakes can hurt or even kill people, so they should be kept at home.
Conclusion
Even though your snake can’t go to a restaurant, you can still bring him to your local reptile store, reptile expo, or park. Just keep in mind that not everyone will love your snake as much as you do, and seeing one in public might frighten some people.
No matter where you bring your snake, make sure you’re following local, state, and federal laws. Never bring a poisonous or dangerous animal into the public where it can hurt someone. Doing so can put you at liability for legal issues.
