Liverpool (WSYR-TV) - He was a family pet that received national attention after the Department of Environmental Conservation threatened to kill him but late wednesday evening, Rocky, the 28-inch Snakehead Fish died of natural causes.
Rocky's owner, Chris Deverso said the fish expired late Wednesday night. Deverso also said he has called the DEC who has to come out and confirm the death of the pet.
The fight between Deverso and the DEC went on for months and generated much debate. Snakehead fish are considered detrimental to our lakes and rivers. If allowed to enter the water, they are known for devouring every other type of fish. The breed of fish was banned in New York State back in 2004, but Deverso purchased the fish before the law went into effect. The DEC had threatened to seize the fish and freeze it to death.
After months of debate, the DEC granted Deverso an educational permit to allow him to keep him. In order to keep Rocky, the Deverso family had to install a lock on the top of his tank and pay a yearly $500 fee for the permit.
Rocky, the snakehead fish lives; owner allowed permit
Liverpool (WSYR-TV) - Rocky, the snakehead fish has been spared. After months of threatening to kill the pet of a Liverpool family, the Department of Environmental Conservation now says they'll likely grant his owners a permit to keep him.
While the family success is gratifying, it comes with a hefty price tag.
Snakehead fish were banned in New York State back in 2004, but Rocky's older than the law itself!
The DEC says certain species of the fish can be detrimental to our lakes and rivers, as they are known for devouring every other type of fish.
“It's all been worth it, it's a feeling that I've never experienced before in my life,” says Rocky's owner Chris Deverso, who has been back and forth to court and fined for owning the illegal fish. He was told by regional leaders of the DEC Rocky would be seized and killed.
But Deverso finally got through to higher-ups at the DEC who say the fish can stay.
Keeping Rocky won't come cheap for Deverso; he has to install a lock on the top of the tank and pay $500 every year for a permit.
When granted, his "educational" permit also requires Deverso to hold an open house, or lecture in his home, where he speaks to groups about snakehead fish. “I've taken care of him for 11 years, it's my family pet; $500 is a lot of money but if it saves his life, it's worth it,” Deverso said.
The compromise is a huge relief, one that not only keeps the family fish swimming in his tank, but has taught them all a lesson. “I never went to college; I never made much. I'm just an average guy who stood up for what I believed in and hopefully in time I'll be granted the permit and it'll all be worth it,” said Deverso.
