Cruelty?

William Buchman's Santa Ana neighbors had been complaining for a while about the dreadful smell coming from his home. The neighbors' complaints of the overwhelming stench prompted an investigation by the Department of Animal Services. A raid on the house uncovered the source of the odor... vast numbers of snakes -- some alive, most of them dead and decaying. Mice and rats were also in abundance.

According to the article, the snakes appeared to have not been fed in a while, yet the story said there were also numerous mice and rats in the house. I assume the rodents were intended to be food for the snakes, so why wasn't he feeding them?  He has two types of animals --snakes and rodents-- in his house that any normal person would want out immediately. One of them eats the other, so why on earth would he not allow (or force) that to happen?

But the real issue I have with this story is the guy being arrested. If they had walked into that house and every one of those snakes had its head cut off, there would have been no issue. He could have said they escaped and he feared for his life. I seriously don't think anything would have happened to him.  Even with the story presented as it was, I don't think he should have received more than a citation. Nobody who owns an animal should starve it out, but these are snakes, not dogs or cats (or horses).  I think laws should treat snakes and fish a little differently than other animals.

Every ant in every ant farm ultimately starves to death. Why is it ok for that to happen? Is that different than pouring salt on a slug?  Is that a crime, too? What if I catch a fish and throw it on a river bank and let it suffocate? Is that a criminal act?  Where can I find these laws just so I know what is acceptable and what isn't.