State v. . Massey

The ordinance inveighs against the handling of venomous and poisonous reptiles in such manner as to endanger the public health, safety and welfare, and none other.

The police are required to seize reptiles handled in an exposed way and have them examined by the health department. If found to be venomous they are to be destroyed ; otherwise they are to be returned to the one from whom they were taken. Manifestly, then, the ordinance was enacted as a protective measure and its primary purpose is not to interfere with any ritual which the defendants may wish to observe. They are at liberty to…