A Manitoba snake researcher says he is disgusted after finding dozens of garter snakes butchered and beaten near one of their wintering dens in the Interlake region.
Neil Balchan says some of the snakes had their heads cut off while others were beaten to death with rocks or stepped on.
The University of Manitoba student, who is doing honours research into snakes, says he came across the scene yesterday while visiting his field site north of Inwood.
He says the garter is a harmless, small snake species that typically grows to less than a metre long.
