Handling snakes so as to endanger life prohibited

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TN Code › Title 39 › Chapter 17 › Section 39-17-101

This text was captured on Aug 14, 2026. It is a snapshot, not a live feed, so check the official code before relying on it.

Text

(a) It is an offense for a person to display, exhibit, handle, or use a venomous or dangerous snake or reptile in a manner that endangers the life or health of any person. As used in this subsection (a), "venomous" means any toxic substance that is actively injected by an animal through a bite or sting and that causes injury or death. (b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 636,s 1, eff. 7/1/2024. Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.

(a) It is an offense for a person to display, exhibit, handle, or use a venomous or dangerous snake or reptile in a manner that endangers the life or health of any person. As used in this subsection (a), "venomous" means any toxic substance that is actively injected by an animal through a bite or sting and that causes injury or death.

(b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 636,s 1, eff. 7/1/2024.

Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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Handling snakes so as to endanger life prohibited · Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-101 | Frix