69 tarantulas, scorpions seized from abandoned apartment in SW Houston
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Dozens of live scorpions and spiders were seized from an abandoned apartment in southwest Houston on Tuesday morning.
Representatives from the Houston SPCA removed shoe boxes and plastic containers containing 69 animals from the scene after a maintenance crew from the apartment complex made the odd discovery.
More than 50 of the animals seized were baby scorpions, and three dead tarantulas were also found.
According to Houston Zoo experts who helped the SPCA identify the animals, all but one of them is considered venomous, but not lethal.
The animals will be taken to a veterinarian for an examination, and the SPCA will go to court and seek custody of the animals. They could be eventually turned over to the Houston Zoo or another animal rescue organization.
A Precinct 1 cruelty investigator was told an exterminator will treat the unit before the next tenants move in in the event that any additional creatures escaped before authorities arrived.
The animals in question would not pose a threat to humans unless provoked, according to authorities.
"Unless you hurt them, they don't bite. They've got to be in fear," said Chris Kendrick with the Precinct 1 constable's office.
SEE ALSO: What you need to know this spider season
Report a typo to the ABC13 staff
