constrictor snake incidents Seventeen people have died from large constrictor snake related incidents in the United States since 1978—12 just since 1990—including one person who suffered a heart attack during a violent struggle with his python and a woman who died from a Salmonella infection. Scores of adults and children have been injured during attacks by these deadly predators. Children, parents, and authorities are finding released or escaped pet pythons, boa constrictors, and anacondas all over the country, where they endanger communities, threaten ecosystems, and in many cases suffer tragic deaths. Following is a partial list of incidents, organized by various categories, involving constrictor snakes that have been reported in 45 states.

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Dangerous incidents Children and teenagers attacked or sickened by constrictor involving constrictor snakes snakes skyrocket Four babies sleeping in their cribs, as well as three other children have been squeezed to death by large constrictor snakes. Youngsters have 3 been attacked while playing in their yards, compressed to the point of unconsciousness, nearly blinded when bitten in the face, and suffered numerous other painful, traumatic, and disfiguring injuries. 34 incidents. Adults, other than the snake owner or caretaker, attacked or sickened by constrictor snakes Unsuspecting people have been attacked by escaped or released constrictor snakes while tending to their gardens, sleeping in their beds, 8 or protecting children and pets playing in their yards. One woman discovered an 8-foot python, who later bit an animal trapper she called, in her washing machine. 17 incidents. Owners and caretakers attacked by constrictor snakes Experienced reptile handlers and novices alike have been attacked by constrictor snakes, including an 8-month pregnant woman who feared both her and her baby were being killed by their pet snake and an elderly man on blood thinners who suffered dozens of deep puncture 11 wounds. The snakes are victims, too—some have been sprayed with fire extinguishers, shocked with stun guns, or crudely decapitated with meat cleavers, hacksaws, or axes in a desperate effort to stop attacks. 45 incidents. Pets and other animals attacked by constrictor snakes All of the giant constrictors have demonstrated an appetite for dogs. The snakes have also killed a number of pet cats and have found easy meals 17 in chicken coops and on turkey farms. 12 incidents. Constrictor snakes loose on private property, in residential areas, or the workplace Frightened residents have discovered these deadly predators emerging 0 20 40 60 80 19 from gardens, attacking pets and wildlife in their yards, hiding in bathrooms, and slithering through hallways of apartment buildings. 144 incidents.

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Deaths in the U.S. by Constrictor Snakes Constrictor snakes loose in or on vehicles Snake size (feet) Victim age and sex Constrictor snakes have found warmth and shelter in car engines, 7.5 3-year-old male escaped from boxes in delivery trucks, and been left behind in rental 32 8 21-month-old male cars. A driver startled by an unexpected snake emerging in or on a 8 7-month-old female vehicle could easily cause an accident. 25 incidents. 8.5 2-year-old female 9 34-year-old male Constrictor snakes loose in public areas 10 11-month-old male Constrictor snakes have been spotted sunning themselves on picnic 10 43-year-old male tables, abandoned in dumpsters, and slithering across parking lots. 34 11 8-year-old female Hikers have come across constrictor snakes in national parks and nature preserves. 147 incidents. 11.5 15-year-old male 12, 14, or 16 33-year-old male Constrictor snakes loose on owner’s property 13 19-year-old male Police departments have issued community alerts warning citizens of 13 25-year-old female escapes and expended significant resources searching for loose 48 14 23-year-old male constrictor snakes. 27 incidents. 14 48-year-old male Abuse and neglect cases involving constrictor snakes 16 42-year-old male Pet constrictor snakes may suffer from starvation, dehydration, 16 47-year-old male parasites, respiratory infections, mouth rot, and other symptoms of neglect. There have been numerous cases of extreme cruelty to these snakes, including a Pennsylvania incident where a python was shot, mutilated, and abandoned. Some people have been arrested for cruelty 51 to animals after feeding live puppies and kittens to their constrictor snakes. One couple, arrested for child abuse, punished their small children by putting the child’s head inside the tank with the family’s pet boa constrictor. 36 incidents.

Firefighters put in danger Firefighters already risk their lives, but face added and unnecessary risks when a fire breaks out at a home harboring deadly predators. 56 9 incidents. Illegal activity involving owners of constrictor snakes Authorities have confiscated constrictor snakes, along with other dangerous reptiles such as venomous snakes and alligators, from individuals who keep these animals in violation of state laws and local 57 ordinances. Some constrictor snakes have been seized during drug raids. 29 incidents.

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constrictor snake incidents Children and teenagers attacked or sickened by constrictor snakes

May 13, 2013/Napa, California: A teen reaching for her alarm clock was bitten on the hand by a 3-foot boa constrictor that had found its way into her family’s ATTACKS apartment. It was unknown where the snake came from. The teen was treated at a Four babies sleeping in their hospital for a bite wound and panic attack. Animal control was called in and retrieved the snake from under her bed.1,2 cribs, as well as three other children have been squeezed to October 31, 2010/West Jordan, Utah: A 15-foot, 140-pound Burmese python death by large constrictor brought to a Halloween party to entertain children attacked a 10-year-old boy. The snakes. Youngsters have been child’s shirt was covered with blood and he suffered bite wounds to the face, chin, 3 attacked while playing in their and under the ear. yards, compressed to the point June 27, 2010/Hope, Indiana: A 1-year-old boy was bitten on the hand by a 4-foot of unconsciousness, nearly pet boa constrictor who escaped from a cage and was hiding in a dresser drawer. blinded when bitten in the The snake had been on the loose for a few days.4 face, and suffered numerous other painful, traumatic, and July 1, 2009/Sumter County, Florida: A 2-year-old girl was killed in her crib by an disfiguring injuries. 8½-foot Burmese python who escaped from an enclosure in her home. Weighing only 13 pounds, the snake was determined to be severely underweight. The snake had been purchased seven years earlier at a flea market. The child’s mother and her boyfriend were convicted of third degree murder, manslaughter and child neglect

and sentenced to 12 years in prison.5,6,7

January 21, 2009/Las Vegas, Nevada: A 3-year-old boy was bitten and squeezed to the point of unconsciousness by an 18-foot reticulated python that the family was taking care of for a friend. It took six police officers, an animal control officer and

the mother, who stabbed the snake with a kitchen knife, to free the child. The child had “light brown stuff” coming from his mouth and his face turned blue. As the mother began CPR, the injured snake then wrapped around her waist. The toddler was hospitalized overnight. The snake had been in the home for four to six weeks and had somehow gotten loose. The snake was euthanized. The parents were charged with felony child abuse and ultimately entered a plea deal for a misdemeanor charge.8,9,10

August 30, 2008/Las Vegas, Nevada: A 13-year-old girl visiting her father was attacked by a pet Burmese python while she was sleeping in a bed. Responding to the commotion, her father and uncle were unable to uncoil the snake. They decapitated the approximately 15-foot snake with a butcher knife to rescue the girl.

The teenager was hospitalized overnight with bruised ribs and a swollen abdomen. The snake reportedly escaped from a large tank with locks. The same day, a student zookeeper in Venezuela was crushed to death by a Burmese python.11,12

December 14, 2007/Gurnee, Illinois: A family filed a $50,000 lawsuit against

Serpent Safari alleging their 2-year-old boy contracted salmonella after petting an albino Burmese python at the store. The child was hospitalized three days after being “allowed and encouraged” to handle the snake. A caregiver also became infected.13

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constrictor snake incidents Children and teenagers attacked or sickened by constrictor snakes

April 3, 2007/Miami, Florida: A 3-year-old boy was bitten in the face by a 6-foot boa “The baby’s dead. constrictor when posing with the snake for a photograph at a theme park, and was taken to a hospital for treatment.14 Our stupid snake got January 12, 2007/Lynn, Massachusetts: A teenager making lemonade started out in the middle of screaming after he was bitten on the toe by a 2½-foot albino python who was hiding under the dishwasher in his kitchen. It is unknown where the snake came from. The the night and family called police who took the snake, described as a type of python that can 15 strangled the baby.” reach 10-feet in length, to a local animal hospital. Florida man in a frantic June 2006/Belmar, New Jersey: A 16-year-old high school student sustained 911 call after finding the puncture wounds and bruising after she was bitten on the forearm by a 5-foot boa constrictor kept in a classroom. The snake lunged for her as another student was family’s pet Burmese 16 holding the snake. python killed his girlfriend’s 2-year-old July 21, 2004/Overland Park, Kansas: A teenager was showing off the family’s 15- foot, 140-pound pet python when the animal coiled around his arm and began to daughter as she slept in squeeze, turning the boy’s arm blue. The snake bit the teen and his mother, and

her crib they called 911. Emergency crews used a fire extinguisher to get the snake to loosen his grip.17

July 7, 2004/Terre Haute, Indiana: A 15-year-old girl was treated for a wound after

she was bitten by her neighbor’s pet python. The neighbor, who had purchased the snake at a pet shop, admitted that he had also previously been bitten by the snake.18

July 16, 2003/Mansfield, Texas: A 15-foot Burmese python escaped after biting a 19 14-year-old caretaker on the hand. The snake was recaptured ten days later.

December 2, 2002/Marina, California: A female student was bitten on the finger by a 3-foot boa constrictor kept in the middle school classroom.20

May 2002/Indianapolis, Indiana: A 10-year-old boy was attacked by a 10-foot Burmese python brought to a pet store by a customer. The snake bit him on the chest and shoulder, inflicting about 40 puncture wounds, and coiled around his shoulders. The boy’s mother filed a lawsuit against the pet shop for the physical 21 pain and mental anguish her son suffered as a result of the incident.

April 2002/Golden, Colorado: A girl was bitten by a Burmese python, one of two snakes kept at the Golden Beginnings day care center. The snakes were ordered

removed. In 2006, the man who owned the day care center was convicted of sexually assaulting six girls, ranging in age from 3 years to 8 years.22,23

December 2001/California: A 3-month-old infant was taken to a hospital emergency room after a day of bloody diarrhea and fever caused by Salmonella. The

infant’s father was a high school biology teacher who often draped a large snake (i.e., a boa) over his shoulders in the classroom. He would wash his hands—but not change his clothing—before going home and holding his child. The snake was found to be the source of the child’s Salmonella.24

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constrictor snake incidents Children and teenagers attacked or sickened by constrictor snakes

August 22, 2001/Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania: An 8-year-old girl was “I begged him to get strangled by her father’s 11-foot, 26-pound pet Burmese python. The child had been left home alone, and the snake broke through the top of the cage. Paramedics rid of it … It’s too said she was not breathing when they arrived; she was taken to a hospital and placed on a ventilator until she was pronounced brain dead two days later. An late now.” autopsy showed the cause of death was compression of her neck and chest.25,26 Heartbroken mother of July 2, 2001/Pawtucket, Rhode Island: Two girls were treated at a hospital after a New York teenager 27 being bitten by a 2-foot red-tailed boa constrictor while playing with the snake. killed by his pet Burmese python May 17, 2001/Beloit, Wisconsin: A 5-year-old boy was bitten by a 10-foot python who escaped from a homemade glass cage and crawled into the boy’s bed. The

snake was one of two pythons kept as family pets.28

April 25, 2001/Lawrence Township, New Jersey: A 10½-foot African rock python lunged at a 10-year-old boy, biting his face and puncturing his eyelid and cheek and barely missing his eye. Troopers got the snake to release its grip and took the boy to

the hospital where he was treated by a cosmetic surgeon. The snake belonged to the boy’s 17-year-old brother.29,30

August 29, 1999/Centralia, Illinois: A couple’s 1-year-old, 7½-foot African rock

python escaped from an enclosure and killed their 3-year-old son while he was 31 sleeping. They had obtained the snake three months earlier.

August 4, 1999/Leesburg, Florida: An 18-month-old boy who was playing on his patio was bitten on the face and nearly squeezed to death by his father’s 13-foot,

80-pound Burmese python. The boy’s upper and lower eyelids were pulled off of the facial bone and the snake’s teeth punctured his scalp to the skull. The boy’s father was bitten several times trying to rescue his child. The boy underwent two hours of surgery to reattach his eyelids and was expected to face reconstructive surgery and 32,33 some scarring. The snake was euthanized. April 28, 1998/New York City, New York: A freshman at a Manhattan high school was bitten on the face by a 5-foot, 15-pound Burmese python kept in a classroom. The boy was taken to the hospital where he received five stitches to close a deep 34 gash above his eye. August 11, 1997/Anaheim, California: A 10-year-old boy was attacked by his pet 12- foot, 65-pound African rock python. The python, who was described “as thick as a man’s thigh,” latched onto the boy’s hand and coiled tightly around his arm as he was giving him a bowl of water. The boy’s older brother stabbed the snake several times while waiting for paramedics to arrive. Worried that the snake would break his arm, paramedics decapitated the snake with a kitchen knife. The boy was

treated at a medical center. One paramedic commented this was the third child he has rescued “from the suffocating embrace of pythons.”35

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constrictor snake incidents Children and teenagers attacked or sickened by constrictor snakes

June 18, 1996/Williamstown, New York: A 2-year-old girl was treated at a hospital “Another 2 after she was attacked by her father’s 10-foot reticulated python. The snake coiled around the girl’s neck and swallowed her forearm. Police shot and killed the millimeters lower and snake.36 I think [the teeth] May 12, 1995/Oceanside, New York: A 7-year-old student was bitten on the finger by a 5-foot boa constrictor as the teacher held the snake for a photograph with a would have gone into group of students. The girl developed an infection and suffered nightmares from the his eye and blinded attack. Her parents filed a lawsuit against the school and the teacher. The teacher admitted the snake had once bitten him in the face. A State Supreme Court Justice him. That thing must found that the school district and teacher were negligent in failing to prevent the snake from harming others.37 have grabbed his November 4, 1994/Indianapolis, Indiana: A 13-foot, 30-pound python bit a 4-year- whole face. There old boy on the leg and coiled around his chest and legs, cutting off circulation, while the boy was playing in his basement. Five men were unable to pull the snake off the were puncture marks boy, so rescuers chopped off the snake’s head with an axe. The boy was treated at a all over his face.” hospital.38,39,40 A cosmetic surgeon September 17, 1994/Conshohocken, Pennsylvania: A snake, described by police as who operated on a 10- a 10-foot boa constrictor, nearly killed a 4-year-old girl as she was playing in her year-old New Jersey backyard with friends. The snake ambushed the girl from behind some tall grass, biting her buttocks and constricting her until she turned blue and was unable to boy who was bitten on talk. Two neighbors wrestled the snake off of the girl and put the snake in a trash the face by his brother’s can until police arrived. The girl was treated at a hospital. The snake belonged to a African rock python neighbor who kept the reptile in his car.41,42

July 20, 1993/Commerce City, Colorado: A 15-year-old was killed by his brother’s

11½-foot pet Burmese python. He had snake bites on his body, and an autopsy found he was suffocated. The 8-year-old snake had been a family pet since she was only a foot long.43

June 21, 1991/Long Beach, California: Neighbors called for help after hearing the screams of a 9-year-old boy being attacked by his 12-foot pet Burmese python. Rescuers found the child with the snake swallowing his foot and coiled around his leg up to the knee.44

August 6, 1984/Ottumwa, Iowa: An 11-month-old boy was killed in his crib by his father’s 10-foot pet reticulated python who escaped from a cage. An autopsy revealed numerous bite marks on the infant’s face, shoulder, hands, and arms and evidence of asphyxiation. The snake, determined to be emaciated, was captured and euthanized.45,46,47

August 1982/Reno, Nevada: An 8-foot reticulated python escaped from his cage, crawled into an adjoining bedroom, and killed a 21-month old boy in his crib. The snake belonged to an unrelated man who lived in the house.48

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constrictor snake incidents Children and teenagers attacked or sickened by constrictor snakes

November 8, 1980/Dallas, Texas: A 7-month-old girl was killed by her father’s 8- foot pet reticulated python. The child died of asphyxiation and her head was covered with dozens of needle-like tooth marks. The snake had forced his way out of a covered 30-gallon aquarium and crawled into the baby’s crib. The medical examiner reported it may have taken as long as 5 minutes for the baby to die from “traumatic asphyxiation.”49

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constrictor snake incidents Adults, other than the snake owner or caretaker, attacked or sickened by constrictor snakes May 10, 2013/Marco Island, Florida: A 12 to 14-foot, more than 100-pound Burmese python was discovered coiled inside a valve cover box at Marco Island’s ATTACKS Waste Water Treatment Plant near the executive airport. The snake appeared to be

in the process of shedding its skin—a time when snakes are likely to be more Unsuspecting people have aggressive—and responded to being disturbed by uncoiling and attempting to been attacked by escaped or escape. It took a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer and two released constrictor snakes other people to wrangle the snake, who at one point started to wrap its body while tending to their gardens, around the leg of one of the men. A local environmental specialist said, “[T]he sleeping in their beds, or number of pythons in the area is increasing.”50 protecting children and pets playing in their yards. One August 15, 2012/West Valley City, Utah: A woman picking tomatoes in her woman discovered an 8-foot backyard garden heard her dog yelping and discovered a large snake, believed to be python, who later bit an animal a python or boa constrictor, attacking her miniature pinscher. She pried the snake trapper she called, in her off her dog and the snake then went after her, biting her three times on the arm and back and coiling tightly around her waist. The woman stated, “It was squeezing washing machine. me so hard, I felt like it was going to crush my hips.” She managed to pull the snake off and tossed it toward her fence. The woman suffered severe bruising to her arm and the snake escaped.51,52

July 16, 2012/Plymouth, Massachusetts: A 9- to 12-foot escaped pet python who had been loose for two days emerged from some bushes and bit a man on the leg as he was climbing into his minivan with his wife and 3-year-old child. The python would not let go until the man stepped on the snake’s neck and pulled his leg away. He was treated at a hospital. Police cordoned off the area while animal control officers removed the snake. The snake was returned to the owner after he paid a 53,54 $100 fine. May 1, 2011/Opelousas, Louisiana: A gardener cutting weeds in a client’s yard in a residential neighborhood encountered a 5-foot snake with an estimated 6-inch circumference, believed to be a python. As he reached to pick up the snake, the animal latched onto his hand and dragged the 6-foot, 143-pound man into the

bushes, swallowing his hand and shredding the tops of his fingers. The snake 55 escaped when authorities arrived.

September 7, 2010/Sumiton, Alabama: Police issued a warning that officers were searching for an “extremely aggressive” python in the community. The snake was

described as up to 10-feet long and 10- to 12-inches in diameter. One woman was treated by paramedics after she was attacked and bitten on her arms and legs in her backyard while trying to keep the snake from reaching her child.56,57,58

October 23, 2009/Panama City, Florida: A construction worker was bitten twice on

the hand by a 4-foot albino Burmese python after he attempted to move the snake from a pile of dirt at a home under construction. Paramedics treated the man on the scene.59

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constrictor snake incidents Adults, other than the snake owner or caretaker, attacked or sickened by constrictor snakes July 16, 2008/Gorham, Maine: A woman found an 8-foot reticulated python “When they wrap amongst the clothes inside of her washing machine. The woman called a local animal trapper who was attacked by the snake before wrestling it into a plastic bag around you, every and transporting it to a local zoo.60 time you move, it September 7, 2007/Deland, Florida: An animal control officer suffered painful bite wounds on the back of the hand and on the finger after he was bitten twice by a 5- gets tighter.” foot boa constrictor. The snake, believed to be a released or escaped pet, was being Teenager who was removed from underneath a woman’s car where he had wrapped himself around 61 hospitalized following coil springs in the wheel well. an attack in Nevada by September 20, 2005/Plumstead, Pennsylvania: A police officer was bitten while her father’s 15-foot recapturing an escaped 13-foot, 100-pound pet Burmese python. The python had Burmese python escaped six weeks earlier and was found 100 yards away from the owner’s home. Both on and off duty officers searched for the snake, which included combing the 62,63,64 woods in the pouring rain and bringing in search dogs. July 5, 2004/Mandeville, Louisiana: A man was bitten on the finger while trying to capture his neighbor’s 16-foot Burmese python. The snake was on the loose for 65 several days and this was the second time the animal had escaped. April 8, 2003/Washington, District of Columbia: A woman surrendered her Burmese python to animal control after the snake bit a friend believed to be HIV- 66 positive. October 8, 2002/Bradenton, Florida: A 9-foot reticulated python, believed to be a released or escaped pet, bit a man who was trying to protect his pet ducks from the snake who had entered his property. Paramedics treated the man at the scene 67 for cuts to his wrist. April 12, 2001/Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: A woman died from septic shock related to a Salmonella infection after obtaining a transfusion of blood platelets. The platelet donor’s 9-foot pet boa constrictor was identified as the likely source of the Salmonella. The type of Salmonella found in a stool sample from the snake matched that found in the platelets. The man exhibited no symptoms at the time of his

donation, but had been ill two weeks previously and taken antibiotics. A second patient who received platelets from the man also contracted Salmonella but was healthier at the time of the transfusion and lived.68

June 17, 1999/Albany, New York: A police officer was bitten by a boa constrictor while assisting an animal control officer in removing the snake from an apartment. The snake had been abandoned by a tenant.69

June 5, 1998/Darien, Illinois: A DuPage County Forest Preserve police officer recalled an incident during his five years on the force when he was bitten while capturing a 7-foot python who children had released at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve.70

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constrictor snake incidents Adults, other than the snake owner or caretaker, attacked or sickened by constrictor snakes January 21, 1998/Houston, Texas: Police discovered a boa constrictor inside a stolen convertible they had recovered. A mechanic was bitten while trying to remove the snake.71

July 10, 1997/Pompano Beach, Florida: A woman was awakened by a 5½-foot boa constrictor curled around her neck. The snake had escaped from a neighbor’s bathtub.72

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constrictor snake incidents Owners and caretakers attacked by constrictor snakes August 5, 2012/Beemerville, New Jersey: An 83-year-old zookeeper, who was on blood thinners, was attacked by a 16-foot, 250-pound python at Space Farms Zoo ATTACKS while attempting to feed the snake a live rabbit. The snake bit his hand and started

to coil around his arm. It took two keepers about 15 minutes to free him. The Experienced reptile handlers keeper suffered 32 “very deep,” painful puncture wounds and was put on and novices alike have been antibiotics.73 attacked by constrictor snakes,

including an 8-month pregnant June 5, 2012/Colorado Springs, Colorado: A snake exhibitor went to the emergency woman who feared both her room after he was bitten in the face by his 18-foot tiger reticulated python—just and her baby were being killed days after the snake had been used for a presentation at an elementary school. The by their pet snake and an bite measured nine inches from the top of the man’s nose to the bottom of his 74 elderly man on blood thinners throat, caused profuse bleeding, and missed his eye by one-half inch. who suffered dozens of deep May 28, 2012/Bayonne, New Jersey: A man was taken by ambulance to a medical puncture wounds. The snakes center after he was bitten on the arm by his 6-foot boa constrictor.75 are victims, too—some have been sprayed with fire March 15, 2012/Bridgewater, Massachusetts: A 6-foot, 65-pound albino Burmese

extinguishers, shocked with python attacked a pet shop employee, swallowing his hand and coiling around his stun guns, or crudely arm. It took several paramedics to get the snake to unlock his grip. The man was 76 decapitated with meat treated at a nearby hospital. cleavers, hacksaws, or axes in a February 13, 2012/Bozeman, Montana: Police wrangled a loose boa constrictor desperate effort to stop after a resident reported being bitten by a snake she kept in her apartment.77 attacks. July 26, 2011/Guadalupe County, Texas: A 48-year-old experienced wildlife

rehabilitator was attacked in her kitchen by a 14-foot boa constrictor as she reached

into the tank to give the animal water. The snake bit her hand and coiled half of its body around her arm. The woman began to feel weak and faint during the 20- minute attack. Firefighters attempted to cut off the snake’s head to free her. The partially decapitated snake survived and was sent to a veterinary college. Days later, 78,79 the woman still had not recovered sensation in parts of her hand. April 12, 2011/Lyons, Kansas: A woman was attacked when she removed an 8-foot python from its cage for feeding. The snake latched its jaws onto the side of the woman’s neck and would not let go. A child in the house called police and an officer 80 forced the jaws of the snake apart with his hands. August 26, 2010/Sebastian, Florida: A woman was attempting to feed her 12-foot Burmese python when it bit her hand and constricted around her arm. The woman 81 was treated at a medical center and authorities euthanized the snake. June 9, 2010/Papillion, Nebraska: A 34-year-old man was strangled to death by his 9-foot, 25-pound pet red-tailed boa constrictor while showing the animal to a friend. The man had often taken the snake outdoors and let children play with the 82 animal.

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constrictor snake incidents Owners and caretakers attacked by constrictor snakes

December 10, 2008/Covedale, Ohio: A man called animal control when his 6-foot “She thought for sure boa constrictor became aggressive during a nighttime feeding while the snake was loose in his bathroom. The snake positioned its body to strike and attacked a stick it would kill her and the owner used to try and corral the snake. An animal control officer came to 83 the baby.” capture and remove the snake. Husband of an 8- October 21, 2008/Virginia Beach, Virginia: A 25-year-old woman was strangled to death by her 13-foot pet reticulated python, apparently when she was attempting month pregnant 84 to administer medication to the animal. woman who was attacked by a 9-foot July 31, 2008/Melbourne, Florida: A Brevard Zoo camp counselor was treated at a hospital after being bitten on the neck by a 5-foot, 14-pound boa constrictor while Burmese python in exhibiting the snake to a group of children.85 California April 17, 2008/Eugene, Oregon: A female employee at a pet store was attacked by a 12-foot Burmese python when the snake bit her hand and coiled around her arm. It took several emergency responders to pry the snake’s jaws open and unwrap the

snake. The snake lunged and tried to bite a police sergeant as he was returning the snake to a cage.86

December 31, 2006/Tarpon Springs, Florida: An 18-year-old aquarium employee

was attacked for 10 minutes by a 14-foot, 100-pound Burmese python while holiday

tourists watched in horror. The snake bit her hand and wrapped around her arm, waist, and neck. A police taser was needed to get the snake to let go. The woman was treated at the hospital for wounds to her hands. Previously a man was bitten when feeding the snake.87 December 16, 2006/Camp Dennison, Ohio: A 48-year-old man was strangled to death by his pet 14-foot Burmese python. When the victim reached to pick the snake up, the animal coiled around his neck and would not let go. It took three 88,89 paramedics to get the snake off of the man. November 29, 2006/Uniontown, Pennsylvania: A 47-year-old man was feeding his daughter’s 8-foot albino Burmese python when the snake bit his hand and wrapped tightly around his arm. A police officer used a taser to subdue the snake and 90 paramedics treated the man for an injured hand. September 4, 2006/Lanesville, Indiana: A 23-year-old man with experience handling reptiles was killed by his 14-foot reticulated python. A medical examiner determined that the death was consistent with asphyxiation caused by compression 91 of the neck and chest. August 29, 2006/Hamilton, Ohio: A 13-foot, 100-pound albino Burmese python bit and began swallowing a woman’s hand, then coiled around her arm. It took four firefighters to free the woman from the snake’s grasp. The woman was treated at 92 the hospital for deep puncture wounds to her hand.

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constrictor snake incidents Owners and caretakers attacked by constrictor snakes

November 23, 2004/Corpus Christi, Texas: A 20-year-old woman needed 17 “If she would have stitches to her hand after a 13-foot Burmese python she had purchased a few days earlier bit her hand and coiled around her hand and neck. She was rescued by gotten around my friends. A local animal control officer reported that in addition to this case, he had seized a 7-foot Burmese python and an 8-foot red-tailed boa constrictor the neck, I would not be previous week.93 alive right now.” April 3, 2004/Boston, Massachusetts: A 7-foot pet Burmese python attacked a 43- Nebraska man after year-old woman in her apartment. Her teenage son called police and they found the paramedics freed him woman on her knees with the snake “clamped onto her left arm and the other end from a 20-minute in a stranglehold on her leg.” Rescuers pried the snake off of her and took her to the hospital.94 struggle with his pet python March 31, 2004/Fort Pierce, Florida: A woman filed a $15,000 lawsuit after she was bitten by a man’s red-tailed boa constrictor while cleaning the snake’s cage. The suit alleges the snake “attacked and bit her about her arm, hand and body,” causing disfigurement and mental anguish.95

June 9, 2003/Brevard County, Florida: A 13-foot, 80-pound Burmese python escaped from a home. The mother of the snake’s owner found the snake in the yard wrapped around her 3-year-old Mountain Feist dog. She was able to free the dog,

but the snake then wrapped around her leg. Rescue workers freed her and returned the snake to his cage.96

April 25, 2003/Birmingham, Alabama: A 53-year-old required medical attention after being bitten on the finger by a black and tan python.97

September 28, 2002/East Lake, Alabama: A 34-year-old required medical attention 98 after being bitten on the leg by a boa constrictor. August 28, 2002/New York City, New York: A 22-year-old woman staying at a Queens motel was bitten on the hand by her 9-foot albino Burmese python. Police rushed to the scene after receiving an emergency call from the hotel clerk. The 99 woman was taken to the hospital and animal control removed the snake. February 10, 2002/Aurora, Colorado: A 43-year-old man was strangled to death by his 10-foot, 80-pound pet Burmese python. Several emergency responders were required to free the man from the snake’s grip. The snake was later euthanized.100,101

May 2, 2000/Chicago, Illinois: Concerned about the safety of his children, a resident brought his 12-foot tiger reticulated python to the police station after the snake tried to attack him. The snake was turned over to the state agriculture department.102

December 10, 1999/Woodlawn, Alabama: A woman required medical attention 103 after being bitten on both hands by a python.

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constrictor snake incidents Owners and caretakers attacked by constrictor snakes

October 17, 1998/Putnam, Connecticut: A 19-foot, 260-pound Burmese python “Our treatment at the ripped a toilet out of the floor and then attacked a 27-year-old, 200-pound man, pinning him to the floor, coiling around his body and chest, and swallowing his arm. scene was for a It took three police officers to rescue the man, who was rushed by ambulance to a nearby hospital with 35 punctures and slash wounds from his thumb to forearm. severe constricting The victim stated, “It hurt like a vise. When the teeth were going into my bone, I injury. When we could feel it.” Authorities killed the python.104 arrived, the patient September 1, 1997/Clifton, New Jersey: An 8-foot python sprang up, bit a 28-year- old man on the face, and coiled around his neck as he opened the tank to give the was in critical snake water. Hearing his screams, the man’s sister cut off the snake’s head with a butcher knife.105 condition.” January 27, 1997/Lake Delton, Wisconsin: Two pet shop owners were attacked by a Paramedic who treated 20-foot, 275-pound reticulated python on display at their shop. The snake bit one a Missouri man who man on the hand and wrapped around his chest and face, causing him to pass out. was constricted by his The co-owner was bitten on the hand and arm. Four officers captured the snake 15-foot python while the shop owners were taken to the hospital.106 November 20, 1996/Pittsburg, California: A 33-year-old nursing student was attacked by his 10-foot, 35-pound Burmese python while changing a light bulb in the snake’s enclosure. The snake bit his hand and started coiling around his arm. A neighbor in the mobile home community heard his screams and helped cut off the 107 snake’s head with a meat cleaver. October 9, 1996/Bronx, New York: A 13-foot, 44-pound Burmese python, kept as a pet by two teenage brothers who hoped to have careers caring for reptiles, killed one of the brothers, possibly mistaking him for food. The 19-year-old was found by a neighbor bleeding in a hallway of the housing project. The medical examiner reported that he died from “asphyxia due to compression of the neck by the snake.”

The boys had purchased the snake three months earlier at a pet shop.108,109,110

August 21, 1996/San Diego, California: A woman who was eight months pregnant awoke to find their 9-foot Burmese python coiled around her stomach and biting her buttocks. The snake also coiled around her husband as he tried to free her.

Paramedics used a hacksaw to decapitate the snake and free the couple. The incident, which occurred at downtown resident motel, was witnessed by their two children, aged 4 and 5-years old.111

August 11, 1996/Lincoln, Nebraska: A 24-year-old man was attacked by his 12-foot,

50-pound pet Burmese python. The snake was loose in his bedroom and lunged at his neck, bit him twice on the wrist, and cut off circulation when he coiled tightly around his arm. The man used his free hand to call 911 and paramedics helped uncoil the snake. The man was treated at a hospital and planned to euthanize the 112 snake.

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constrictor snake incidents Owners and caretakers attacked by constrictor snakes

August 25, 1995/Madison, Wisconsin: A 13-year-old, 8-foot, 45-pound pet python “Pop Pop’s getting lunged at a man’s face as he was holding the snake while her cage was being cleaned. It took five to six people to release the snake’s jaws from the man’s nose. eaten by the big The man was treated at a hospital and he was scheduled to meet with a plastic 113 snake!” surgeon. 13-year-old, calling for May 9, 1994/Hartford, Connecticut: A 20-year-old woman was attacked by her boyfriend’s 12-foot, 50-pound Burmese python. One of her two young children ran help while his to a neighbor in the apartment building for help. When emergency responders grandfather was being arrived, they found her crouched on the floor with the snake wrapped around both attacked by a 16-foot, her arms up to the shoulder. Rescuers spent 20 minutes prying the snake off of her 250-pound python in and took her to the hospital.114

New Jersey May 15, 1993/Harahan, Louisiana: A 47-year-old man, who owned at least 11 snakes including pythons and boa constrictors, died from a heart attack during an apparent struggle with his 16-foot, 200-pound reticulated python. The man had bite wounds on his arm and the python was found behind a sofa with three stab wounds. It took three officials to wrestle the wounded python and force him into a 115,116,117 truck. The snake required 100 stitches and was later sold to a snake dealer. January 17, 1992/Clayton, North Carolina: A woman called 911 after her 12-foot pet python bit her hand. By the time rescuers arrived, the snake had swallowed her hand up to the wrist.118

July 23, 1990/Plano, Texas: A 15-foot, 150-pound Burmese python kept at a school and handled by children attacked a trained wildlife biologist as she was changing the snake’s water. The snake bit her knee and coiled around her torso. Firefighters and school officials spent 20 minutes trying to get the snake to release its grip. The woman was treated at a hospital.119,120

July 2, 1989/Kansas City, Missouri: A 24-year-old man lost consciousness after his 15-foot, 50-pound python constricted around his body. Paramedics found the man in critical condition and took him to the hospital.121

January 19, 1987/Weymouth, Massachusetts: A 22-year-old woman was attacked and bitten on the ear by her 7-foot boa constrictor. Animal control subdued the snake by spraying her with a fire extinguisher. The snake went berserk while her cage was being cleaned, began hissing and growling, and tried to also bite a bureau, a telephone cord and the woman’s brother.122

April 6, 1986/El Toro, California: A 12-foot pet python crawled out from under a bed, bit a 26-year-old woman on the back of the neck, and coiled around her neck and head. Five friends were unable to uncoil the snake, so they cut off the snake’s head. The woman was treated for bite wounds.123

April 27, 1983/St. Louis County, Missouri: A 42-year-old man was crushed to death by his 16-foot, 100-pound pet Burmese python. His body was found by his wife and the snake was located near the body under a bed.124

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constrictor snake incidents Owners and caretakers attacked by constrictor snakes

September 19, 1978/Florence, Kentucky: A 33-year-old reptile collector was strangled to death by one of three reticulated pythons, measuring 12, 14, and 16- feet, he kept in his basement. He was found by his wife lying on the steps with a snake wrapped around his neck.125

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constrictor snake incidents Pets and other animals attacked by constrictor snakes

August 1, 2011/Homestead, Florida: Firefighters captured an 11-foot Burmese python found on a farm and suspected in the disappearance of several chickens, ATTACKS goats, and pet cats.126

All of the giant constrictors July 14, 2011/Adkins, Texas: A family discovered a 10-foot python in their chicken have demonstrated an appetite coop. One chicken was dead and another bloodied. A family member shot and killed 127 for dogs. The snakes have also the snake.

killed a number of pet cats and April 2011/Miami, Florida: A family’s pet cat was attacked and killed by a 9-foot have found easy meals in red-tailed boa constrictor on a residential property adjacent to the Deering chicken coops and on turkey Estate.128 farms. October 9, 2009/Wewahitchka, Florida: Charges were filed against a man after his 11-foot Burmese python escaped and was found by a neighbor in his chicken coop. The neighbor shot at, but failed to kill, the snake. The owner of the snake had no cage for it and allowed the reptile to crawl freely about his apartment.129,130

February 3, 2006/Boynton Beach, Florida: A man walking his dog—an 8-pound rat terrier—let the dog off the leash near his front door. A neighbor’s 11-foot pet python had gotten free from an apartment complex and grabbed the dog by the head, wrapping around him. The man used a golf club to get the snake to release the dog, but the dog ran away and was found dead the next day with injuries 131 consistent with constriction. October 10, 2005/Miami, Florida: A 10-foot African rock python was found by a 77- year-old turkey farmer. The snake had crawled into a pen and eaten a turkey, and was then too large to fit back through the fence. Authorities removed the snake and planned to take it to a zoo due the snake’s aggression. According to a fire rescue official, “It launches at everything that tries to come near it.”132

October 9, 2005/Miami Gardens, Florida: A woman looking for her pet Siamese cat instead found a bulging Burmese python in her backyard. X-rays showed that the snake had eaten the cat.133,134

October 4, 2001/Merced, California: A man called police to report his 200-pound python had escaped from a cage. The man later located the snake under his house. The python had a huge bulge after apparently consuming the man’s 30-pound pit bull, who was also missing.135

July 26, 2000/Wallace, Arkansas: A crew from National Geographic’s Explorer television show, investigating reports of a giant snake in the area, filmed what appeared to be a 10- to 12-foot python in a pond. The python was suspected in the

deaths of a pet cat and pet goose, chickens, and a depletion of the frog 136 population.

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constrictor snake incidents Pets and other animals attacked by constrictor snakes

September 27, 1999/Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Parents and their 8-year-old son “We don’t have kids. returned home to find a reticulated python, apparently left behind by a previous tenant, coiled around the family dog. The dog was dead. The python struck at the [Our dog] was our father as he attempted to uncoil the snake from the dog’s remains. A nature center picked up the snake and determined the animal was emaciated. The incident caused child. … We lost our the mother to seek treatment for panic disorder.137 friend. We’re July 18, 1999/Gaithersburg, Maryland: A woman investigated after hearing the devastated.” family’s 20-pound dog yelping in the backyard and found the dog being attacked by a 12-foot snake described as either a boa constrictor or Burmese python. During the Florida man whose dog 15-minute struggle, family members tried pulling the snake off the dog with their was attacked and killed hands and hitting the snake with a leash, surfboard, and shovel. The snake lunged at by his neighbor’s them while still gripping the dog. After being struck with a shovel about 30 times, escaped 11-foot python the snake finally released the dog who was limp, bleeding, and not breathing, but later revived and was rushed to a veterinary clinic. A neighbor shot and killed the snake.138

August 9, 1997/West Hills, California: A 74-year-old woman watched in horror as her Chihuahua was attacked and eaten by a 7½-foot boa constrictor. The pet snake had escaped from a neighbor and entered the woman’s enclosed patio.139

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose on private property, in residential areas, or the workplace

June 16, 2013/Toledo, Ohio: A resident reported that his 4½-foot Burmese python, with a history of escaping from a cage, had gotten out of the house.140 ESCAPES May 5, 2013/Jacksonville Beach, Florida: Area residents expressed concern for small children and avoided going outdoors after learning that a neighbor’s 8-foot Frightened residents have red-tailed boa constrictor was loose in the neighborhood.141 discovered these deadly

predators emerging from April 9, 2013/Muncie, Indiana: Two landlords found a 4½-foot red-tailed boa gardens, attacking pets and constrictor curled up in the bathroom’s heating vent near the toilet. The snake had wildlife in their yards, hiding in been left behind by the previous tenant. A wildlife rehabber was called in to remove the snake.142 bathrooms, and slithering through hallways of apartment February 25, 2013/Anna Maria, Florida: A woman walking her dog near an buildings. apartment complex spotted a 6-foot snake slither underneath a hot tub. A wildlife rescue organization surmised that the animal was likely a pet boa constrictor or

python who had escaped or been abandoned. They searched for the snake for three 143 hours but were unable to locate it.

November 26, 2012/Palmetto Bay, Florida: A “very large” python was discovered on a resident’s front lawn, near where children exit a school bus. The snake was

captured and removed by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Venom Unit.144

November 3, 2012/Bothell, Washington: A couple looking for an item in their rented storage unit was startled to discover an 8½-foot red-tailed boa constrictor. King County Animal Control removed the snake.145

October 26, 2012/Bureau County, Illinois: A farmer ran over an object while out plowing his fields and discovered he had run over an 8-foot, 4-inch python. The snake was killed by the tractor tires.146

October 21, 2012/Bradenton, Florida: A woman taking out her trash discovered an 8-foot red-tailed boa constrictor in her bushes. The snake was believed to have escaped two weeks earlier from an owner who lived several blocks away. A wild animal wrangler removed the snake and turned it over to the Florida Fish and 147 Wildlife Commission.

October 14, 2012/Portland, Oregon: A resident doing yard work called 911 after finding a large boa constrictor in his yard who “appeared agitated and began

striking.” Officers arrived in five police cars. The snake coiled around the arm of a female officer who captured the snake. With the assistance of an animal control officer, the snake was placed in a large bag and transported to animal control.148

September 30, 2012/Warrenville, Illinois: A resident found a 4½-foot red-tailed boa

constrictor on his deck and contacted a neighbor who captured the snake. The snake had first been spotted in the same location on September 9. The snake was turned over to a teenage volunteer at Willowbrook Wildlife Center who breeds boa constrictors.149,150

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose on private property, in residential areas, or the workplace

September 21, 2012/Madison, Mississippi: A 7-foot red-tailed boa constrictor, who “I have had some was loose for a week, was captured after three residents saw the snake crossing Northbay Drive into a yard. Police officers removed the snake from some bushes. parents call, saying The snake had escaped from an aquarium left in the back of a pick-up truck.151 they don’t want their September 11, 2012/Boston, Massachusetts: A Mission Hill resident called 911 after she found a 4- to 5-foot boa constrictor in her backyard. Animal control kids let out for officers captured the snake. The snake had escaped from a neighbor’s residence.152 recess.” August 23, 2012/Rusk County, Texas: A resident found a 7-foot red-tailed boa Principal of a West constrictor coiled within an entertainment center in her living room. The snake had Virginia elementary been hiding in a used couch she had purchased two weeks earlier. The snake was picked up by animal control and later claimed by the owner.153 school after learning a neighbor’s 9-foot August 21, 2012/Chesterfield, Virginia: A business owner discovered a 6- to 8-foot reticulated python was red-tailed boa constrictor laying on a piece of equipment in his supply room. Animal control was called to remove the snake. Police confirmed a second snake was on the on the loose loose and both were believed to have been abandoned in nearby woods. Residents were warned to keep an eye on their pets.154

July 31, 2012/Oahu, Hawaii: Farm workers harvesting a field came across a 6-foot boa constrictor. The snake was killed and turned over to the state department of

agriculture.155

July 27, 2012/West Milford, New Jersey: The same man who discovered a 16-foot python in his backyard on July 23 discovered a second snake, a 10-foot python, while looking out his kitchen window and called police. Police arrived with an animal 156 control officer. The snake attempted to bite the officers as they captured him.

July 23, 2012/West Milford, New Jersey: A New York City high school social studies teacher was reading on his backyard deck when he saw what he thought was a tree

branch that began to move. He called police after realizing it was a snake. Police officers arrived with two snake handlers who identified the snake as a 16-foot female albino python.157

July 17, 2012/Bossier City, Louisiana: A couple found a boa constrictor, who

measured more than 5-feet, underneath a vehicle in a parking garage at the Louisiana Boardwalk. Officers captured the snake.158

July 12, 2012/Caruthersville, Missouri: A man reaching into his garden to pick what

he thought was a cucumber instead found a 6- to 7-foot albino python. He hit the snake with a hoe when the python began to bite at him and chased him. Police came and picked up the snake. The python belonged to a neighbor who had several other constrictor snakes and alligators. A 7- to 8-foot boa constrictor escaped at the same time and remained on the loose.159 July 11, 2012/Augusta, Georgia: A man captured a 7-foot red-tailed boa constrictor he found slithering through his yard. The snake had escaped two months earlier from a home a block away when the girl who owned the snake left the animal 160 unattended in her front yard.

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose on private property, in residential areas, or the workplace

July 9, 2012/Santa Claus, Indiana: Authorities warned residents of the gated “I don’t really think community of Christmas Lake Village to be on the lookout for a 13-foot albino python after state wildlife officials received a tip that someone released their people should have unwanted pet snake in the area.161 pets like that because July 3, 2012/Malden, Massachusetts: A man returning to this apartment discovered a 4-foot red-tailed boa constrictor curled up on his porch. Animal control authorities they’re really removed the snake.162 dangerous, and if May 4, 2012/Augusta, Georgia: An animal control officer searched the neighborhood after a resident reported that her 7½-foot pet red-tailed boa they escape they constrictor had escaped.163 might be able to hurt April 27, 2012/Houston, Texas: Residents of an apartment complex received a somebody really bad, notice that a 12-foot python was loose. According to the maintenance man, the snake was believed to have escaped from a second floor apartment and was spotted maybe even kill in the garage. The property management did not know who left the warning notices and informed renters that exotic pets were not allowed.164 them.” April 23, 2012/Chico, California: A resident reported his 6-foot red-tailed boa Arizona teenager who constrictor escaped five days earlier when he left the snake in his backyard to sun found a 7-foot boa itself.165 constrictor while doing April 23, 2012/Trenton, Illinois: The Clinton County Humane Society posted a notice yard work at his home on its Facebook page that a 6-foot red-tailed boa constrictor was lost in the area.166

March 9, 2012/Peoria County, Illinois: While commenting in support of a stronger state law on exotic pets, the director of the Peoria County Animal Protection Services described an incident from a few summers before in which an elderly man

walked out his front door and stepped on a 14-foot Burmese python. The snake had escaped from a nearby screened-in front porch.167

January 18, 2012/Enfield, New York: A man doing work under his home found a 6½- foot boa constrictor. He took the snake to a local animal shelter.168

January 9, 2012/Sharpes, Florida: A 5-foot boa constrictor who had escaped from a 169 tank in a mobile home was found by a neighbor in her garden. December 25, 2011/Palmetto Bay, Florida: Officials with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue captured and removed a 13-foot Burmese python, believed to be a released pet, 170 who was found in a resident’s swimming pool. December 24, 2011/Melbourne, Florida: A 5- to 6-foot red-tailed boa constrictor, believed to be an escaped pet, was removed from a resident’s yard by humane 171 society officials. Large slither tracks indicated a second snake was on the loose. September 30, 2011/Johnson, Vermont: Police warned residents that a 6-foot boa constrictor had been missing from a home in a trailer park for about a month.172

September 27, 2011/Waynesville, Missouri: A resident called police after spotting a 10-foot python in a neighbor’s driveway.173

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose on private property, in residential areas, or the workplace

August 17, 2011/Sedamsville, Ohio: A man discovered a 14-foot, 130-pound “The children would reticulated python wandering loose outside his home. He captured the snake and contacted the SPCA.174 have been perfect August 11, 2011/Trimble, Missouri: A couple found a nearly 8-foot red-tailed boa prey for this snake.” constrictor wandering through their backyard. The Missouri Department of 175 Georgia snake trapper, Conservation was called in to remove the snake. upon retrieving an August 6, 2011/Albany, Georgia: Residents expressed concern for children and pets abandoned 7-foot and animal control conducted a search after a 6-foot albino Burmese python was Burmese python from a seen in a neighborhood backyard by a man mowing his lawn. The snake had escaped from a cage inside a garage on Greenvale Lane.176,177 family’s yard August 4, 2011/Twin Rocks, Pennsylvania: Snake handlers continued searching for a boa constrictor a resident spotted underneath his mobile home four days earlier. 178 In June, a python was loose in the same community. July 2011/Miami, Florida: A 4-year-old boy found a baby red-tailed boa constrictor while playing in his yard near Deering Estate. Officials with the Miami Dade County 179 Venom One unit captured and removed the snake. June 28, 2011/Twin Rocks, Pennsylvania: A woman discovered an 8-foot python climbing a banister inside her house. Her 15-year-old grandson captured the snake and put it inside a plastic container with two cinder blocks holding the lid shut, but 180,181 the snake escaped from the container and was not found again. June 21, 2011/Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: After a 6-foot albino python was spotted multiple times over several days by residents in the Forestbrook neighborhood, an area reptile expert warned the community, “You should be 182 concerned for small pets and children in the neighborhood.” June 20, 2011/Elyria, Ohio: A man found a 10-foot Burmese python in his front yard 183 when he let his dogs out. Thirty minutes later the snake disappeared. June 17, 2011/West Palm Beach, Florida: Police captured a 7-foot Burmese python found in the parking lot of an apartment building. The snake had escaped from an 184 enclosure at a house near the downtown area. June 16, 2011/Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey: Police went door-to-door warning residents that a 14- to 15-foot snake, believed to be a Burmese or reticulated python, was loose in Silver Lake. Several residents, as well as an animal control 185 officer, had seen the snake. June 11, 2011/Dixfield, Maine: A 6-foot red-tailed boa constrictor escaped from a residence and was found about 10 days later sunning itself in a yard several homes away from where it had escaped.186 April 6, 2011/North Richmond, Virginia: A 3- to 4-foot long boa constrictor was seen slithering across the living room while a couple was watching television. The police were called to remove the snake. It was subsequently discovered that the 187 snake had been hiding in a used easy chair purchased the week before.

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose on private property, in residential areas, or the workplace

March 25, 2011/Greenwood, Indiana: A university student, investigating a noise in “I want to move but her bathroom, discovered a 4-foot baby python hiding in the ceiling vent. A maintenance crew removed the snake. It was determined that the snake had likely the landlord won’t let belonged to a former tenant who kept snakes in the apartment below.188 me break my lease.” March 22, 2011/Lewisville, Texas: An 11-foot reticulated python was found in the 189 Traumatized Indiana breezeway of an apartment complex. apartment dweller who January 27, 2011/Tarpon Springs, Florida: It took three police officers to capture a found a python left 14½-foot, 150- to 200-pound African rock python discovered sunning herself near behind by a former an apartment complex. The snake had vanished from the Tarpon Springs Aquarium two years earlier and was described by the aquarium’s owner as “extremely tenant in her bathroom aggressive.”190,191

December 13, 2010/Melbourne, Florida: A 13-foot python was discovered by a contracting crew fewer than 10 feet from several backyards in a housing subdivision.192

October 19, 2010/Palmetto, Florida: When a woman arrived home to find her two dogs frantically running around, she investigated and discovered an 8-foot boa constrictor coiled beneath a tree in her back yard. The woman expressed her

concern for her two young grandchildren, as well as her dogs. A wildlife trapper 193 removed the snake.

October 8, 2010/Orlando, Florida: A couple was cleaning out their garage when they found a 5½-foot Burmese python and called authorities to retrieve the

animal.194

September 12, 2010/Cambridge, Massachusetts: A man found a 4-foot boa constrictor in his apartment. The animal had possibly entered through an open window, seeking warmth.195

September 3, 2010/Sicklerville, New Jersey: Management of an apartment complex posted fliers warning tenants a snake may be on the loose and police posted an animal control officer at the complex. One resident captured a 4-foot python, but a

second one estimated to be 6 or 7-feet long remained at large.196

August 29, 2010/Fayetteville, Arkansas: A woman stepped outside to walk her dog and found a 9½-foot Burmese python on her porch. The snake had escaped approximately one month previously from a home about a half-mile away.197

August 25, 2010/Thousand Oaks, California: An 8½-foot, 50-pound Burmese python was spotted in bushes next to a condominium complex. It took three firefighters to remove the snake.198

August 25, 2010/Salem, New Hampshire: Police were called when a 6-foot boa constrictor was found on a lawn outside a condominium complex. The snake was wet from rain and cold from temperatures in the 60s, as well as malnourished and thin.199

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose on private property, in residential areas, or the workplace

August 23, 2010/Secaucus, New Jersey: A 7-foot boa constrictor was found in a “When I brush my drainage pipe at a warehouse.200 teeth, I’m looking June 20, 2010/Centre County, Pennsylvania: Police issued a community alert warning residents to monitor pets and keep garages, doors and windows closed over my shoulder.” after someone reported their 10-foot python missing.201 New York City April 30, 2010/Ravenswood, West Virginia: Police issued a community warning to apartment dweller after keep a close watch on small children and pets after a resident reported that his finding a 7-foot python uncaged 9-foot reticulated python had escaped from his home, which was located 202 emerging from her near a day care center and elementary school. toilet April 1, 2010/Grants Pass, Oregon: An 8-foot boa constrictor was on the loose after the roommate of the snake owner mistakenly let the snake out.203 March 29, 2010/Diehlstadt, Missouri: An exterminator working at a home came across what he described as a large python. The snake was gone by the time state conservation agents arrived. The snake did not belong to the homeowners.204

March 18, 2010/Washington, DC: A boa constrictor was found in an abandoned apartment. A company hired to clean the apartment found the snake but accidentally turned off the heat lamp. The animal was without heat for about a day.205 January 21, 2010/Orlando, Florida: A woman found a 5-foot boa constrictor in the water heater closet of her apartment.206

January 7, 2010/Riverside County, California: A resident discovered his neighbor’s

11-foot, 50-pound Burmese python wandering loose in his fenced yard. Animal control was called to remove the snake and returned it to the owner.207

December 22, 2009/Keaau, Hawaii: A homeowner discovered a 6-foot boa

constrictor in his garage.208

December 2009/Yuma, Arizona: Firefighters were called to remove an approximately 7-foot boa constrictor found by a 14-year-old boy who was preparing to do yard work in the backyard of his residence. The animal had escaped from a 209 nearby home.

November 2009/Naples, Florida: A dead 9-foot boa constrictor was found in a ditch next to a condominium. The snake appeared to have been hit by a vehicle.210

November 2009/Cooper City, Florida: A 7-foot python was found in a resident’s backyard and was captured by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 211 officers. October 8, 2009/Fall River, Massachusetts: After being spotted for five days sunbathing on the roof top of a six-family apartment building, a 5-foot boa constrictor was caught in a makeshift trap. The landlord had recently found an empty aquarium left by a former tenant. The snake was reportedly sick with an

upper respiratory infection and approximately 10 pounds underweight.212

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose on private property, in residential areas, or the workplace

September 21, 2009/Durant, Florida: A resident spotted a 10-foot boa constrictor “I am worried about in a pile of dirt while walking across her yard. The snake disappeared into dense underbrush. Wildlife officials said they were not going after the snake because so it because there’s a many people dumped pet snakes, and they didn’t have the resources to go after 213 lot of little kids that them all. September 18, 2009/Port Arthur, Texas: While doing home repairs, a contractor walk around this discovered an 11-foot Burmese python coiled around some insulation in the garage. 214 area.” Animal control was called to remove the snake. The snake’s origin was unknown. Missouri man after September 12, 2009/St. Petersburg, Florida: A wildlife trapper captured an 11-foot, learning a boa 70-pound red-tailed boa constrictor from some bushes near a condominium. The snake had been spotted in the area repeatedly since mid-July.215 constrictor was still on the loose after finding September 11, 2009/Springdale, Arkansas: Schools and day-care centers were his neighbor’s escaped alerted and authorities conducted a 12-hour search after a resident reported his 11- foot Burmese python escaped from a cage. The snake was found a half-mile away at pet python in his an apartment complex and recaptured.216,217 garden August 20, 2009/Jacksonville Beach, Florida: Police called residents to warn them to take precautions with children and family pets because a 7-foot boa constrictor was on the loose.218

August 15, 2009/Boise, Idaho: A passerby notified police after spotting a 9-foot albino python trying to cross a busy street. The snake had escaped through an upstairs window in a nearby home. It took two police officers and several witnesses to return the snake to its owner.219

August 5, 2009/Salt Lake City, Utah: A university student found an 8-foot Burmese python slithering across her driveway when she arrived home. She contacted animal control and monitored the snake as it crawled along the gutter until authorities

arrived and removed the snake.220

August 3, 2009/New Port Richey, Florida: A couple moving into a new home discovered an 8-foot, 40-pound red-tailed boa constrictor who had been left behind by the previous owner. The snake was underweight and sick.221

July 29, 2009/Miami, Florida: A man who went outside to feed ducks was startled to find a 6-foot python in his backyard. He placed the snake in a garbage can and called Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. Two months earlier, a slightly larger Burmese

python was removed from the same property.222

July 14, 2009/Cypress Creek, Florida: A 12-foot plus Burmese python was found 223 loose around a neighborhood of town homes and captured by volunteers. July 7, 2009/Holiday, Florida: A gardener found a 4-foot boa constrictor in the 224 gutter of a vacant home. A reptile trapper removed the snake.

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose on private property, in residential areas, or the workplace

July 4, 2009/Yuma, Arizona: Firefighters and the local humane society responded to “These snakes can a call from a family who found a 6-foot python on their front porch. Officers went around the neighborhood trying to seek the snake’s owner, but no one claimed the get big enough that animal.225 they could easily kill July 1, 2009/Staten Island, New York: A couple leaving for work found a 6- to 10- foot yellow python in their driveway and called police. The snake “tensed up and children.” hissed like a cat” when it was captured.226,227 Texas animal control July 2009/Hope, Indiana: A 5-foot red-tailed boa constrictor escaped when the officer after seizing owners put the animal in the backyard while they cleaned his tank.228 three constrictor July 2009/Quincy, Illinois: Two girls walking their dog spotted an 8-foot boa snakes, including one constrictor who had been loose for almost three weeks in a neighborhood full of who attacked a woman, small children. The snake was about a block away from its owner’s home and in separate incidents captured by an animal control officer.229,230 within a week May 12, 2009/Greenville, Maine: A 2-foot boa constrictor escaped from a cage in a

high school. He hid in an old computer printer, and was not discovered until the school gave the printer to a student to take home and dismantle.231

February 17, 2009/Brooklyn, New York: Two 7-year-old boys discovered a 4½-foot boa constrictor behind the cushions of a living room couch. Authorities speculated 232 that the snake entered the first-floor apartment by way of a toilet.

February 3, 2009/San Luis Obispo, California: After searching for hours, the county’s search-and-rescue team located a missing 23-foot reticulated python

weighing approximately 120 pounds in a nearby backyard. The owner reported two pythons had escaped. The smaller python was quickly located.233

October 6, 2008/Palm Bay, Florida: Brevard County Animal Services and Enforcement captured and removed an 8-foot red-tailed boa constrictor after a man 234 called for help when he found the snake blocking the entranceway to his home.

September 16, 2008/Post Falls, Idaho: Animal control officers removed an 8-foot, 50-pound boa constrictor found in a resident’s yard. The snake remained unclaimed

a week later.235

September 4, 2008/Myakka City, Florida: A homeowner found a 10-foot albino Burmese python in her driveway and contacted a wildlife trapper to remove the snake.236

September 2, 2008/McAlester, Oklahoma: A woman found a 4-foot red-tailed boa constrictor in her motor home. The snake was entangled in the power cord of a lamp.237

August 28, 2008/Sylmar, California: Los Angeles city firefighters from station 91 captured an 8-foot red-tailed boa constrictor near a house after a caller reported 238 seeing the snake. The snake was turned over to animal control.

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose on private property, in residential areas, or the workplace

July 27, 2008/Eugene, Oregon: A resident reported their 6½-foot red-tailed boa “It was squeezing her constrictor was on the loose after it had escaped from a tank and crawled out a window.239 to death and then it July 27, 2008/Lake County, Illinois: Animal experts urged caution when started to swallow encountering wild animals in unexpected places and recalled a recent incident where a python crawled into someone’s bathtub through an open window.240 her. And there wasn’t July 14, 2008/New Britain, Connecticut: A family discovered a 9-foot, 30-pound a thing I could do. It python inside of their home. A Wildlife Control Officer was called to remove the snake and brought the animal to a wildlife sanctuary. A sanctuary representative was so horrifying. I commented, “Unfortunately this animal was probably released purposely by just don’t know how irresponsible owners.”241 I’m going to get July 12, 2008/Birch Bay, Washington: A 7½-foot red-tailed boa constrictor went missing when the owner left the snake in the backyard on a swing set. The snake’s along without her. escape was reported to the county sheriff six days later. County officials contacted neighbors within a half-mile radius of the snake owner’s home to warn them the She was my life.” snake could pose a danger to pets and small children.242 74-year-old California July 11, 2008/Ashland, Kentucky: A 12-foot Burmese python, apparently left behind woman who watched in by a previous tenant, was found by the landlord in the bathroom of a vacant rental horror as a neighbor’s home. Animal control retrieved the snake.243 escaped pet boa June 24, 2008/Key Largo, Florida: A woman found a 7-foot Burmese python in her constrictor killed and yard. The snake was consuming a dove. She and a friend beat the snake to death ate her dog with a tree limb and a 6-foot piece of metal rebar.244

April 27, 2008/New Fairfield, Connecticut: A 6-foot python escaped from a home

and was found two days later in the bushes by an 8-year-old neighbor. 245

October 15, 2007/New York City, New York: A woman on the third floor of a Brooklyn apartment found a 7-foot python emerging from her toilet in the middle of the night. The fire department and her landlord responded. Plumbers had to tear

apart the downstairs neighbor’s pipes to capture the snake. No one knows where the snake came from or how it climbed up three stories of plumbing.246

September 27, 2007/Hendricks County, Indiana: A 14-foot Burmese python in a

Plexiglas case was found by a repairman and sheriff’s deputies in an abandoned home.247

July 25, 2007/Avondale Estates, Georgia: A 7-foot snake with a “very large” diameter was spotted by a resident in a wooded area in his yard near an elementary

school. Based on a description from the witness, a reptile expert said the snake was likely a Burmese python.248,249

July 16, 2007/Holly Hill, Florida: An approximately 15-foot reticulated python was

found in a yard in a residential community. The police contacted a wildlife trapper to remove the snake.250

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose on private property, in residential areas, or the workplace

May 27, 2007/Torrington, Connecticut: A 10-foot yellow anaconda, reported “… a snake that size missing for more than a week, was found by a state wildlife official in the basement of the apartment building where the owner lived. The snake was given to a reptile could ingest a baby exhibitor.251 or toddler and February 20, 2007/Albany, Oregon: A resident discovered an 11-foot albino python crawling up the stairs of an apartment complex and called police. The snake, who certainly a small dog was kept in an ice cream cooler, had escaped twice before.252 or cat.” December 16, 2006/Suffolk County, New York: The Suffolk County Society for the New York state wildlife Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recovered a 5-foot red-tailed boa constrictor after 253 pathologist a woman noticed the snake in her Ridge apartment. commenting on the August 11, 2006/Miami-Dade County, Florida: A 6-foot red-tailed boa constrictor capture of an 8-foot was captured and removed after a man discovered the snake in his backyard in a 254,255 Burmese python in mobile home park. Albany August 8, 2006/Shelby Township, Michigan: A woman reported her 6- to 7-foot boa constrictor missing.256

July 25, 2006/Lathrop, California: A man returned home to find a 4-foot boa constrictor in his garage. Authorities removed the snake and turned the animal over to a reptile exhibitor.257

July 12, 2006/Orange County, Florida: A trapping company was brought in to try and capture an 8-foot red-tailed boa constrictor that worried residents had spotted huddled beneath a home in their neighborhood.258

February 21, 2006/Rexburg, Idaho: After missing for two weeks, an 8-foot Burmese python was found in the bathroom ceiling of the apartment below the one from which she escaped, apparently through a hole in the wall. Some residents had refused to stay in their apartments after learning of the missing snake.259

December 28, 2005/Hawaii Kai, Hawaii: Residents called 911 after finding a 4-foot boa constrictor coiled behind a bag of rice in the laundry room of their home. The home was undergoing renovation and the door may have been left open during construction. State agriculture officials removed the snake.260

November 30, 2005/Dublin, Georgia: A mother of two small children found an abandoned 7-foot, 56-pound Burmese python in a pillowcase in her backyard.261

September 16, 2005/New Castle, Delaware: An 8-foot and three 4- to 6-foot boa

constrictors were abandoned at an apartment complex after a tenant’s eviction. The local animal shelter was helping place those snakes, plus a fifth one about 5-feet long who was seized the same week from a man walking in the street with the snake around his neck.262

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose on private property, in residential areas, or the workplace

July 10, 2005/Sacramento, California: A 15-foot, 200-pound Burmese python was “Please take discovered by a teenage girl cleaning a warehouse. The animal belonged to a man who worked at an industrial building down the street and who had unknowingly precautions with poked a hole in the animal’s cage with a forklift. Animal control officers removed 263 children and any pets the snake. This was the snake’s third escape. November 15, 2004/New Haven, Connecticut: Police searching for a 15-foot pet left outside.” python who had been reported missing discovered that the animal’s owners also Automated call from a had two crocodiles and an Argentinean boa constrictor. The police did not find the 264 Florida police python, but confiscated the other animals. department warning September 27, 2004/Bay St. Louis, Mississippi: A 17-foot, 110-pound Burmese residents that a 7-foot python missing for four days was lured out of hiding with a rabbit. The snake had boa constrictor was on escaped from a bathroom when the door was left open, and taken refuge 265 the loose underneath insulation in the attic of the apartment building. August 29, 2003/Everett, Washington: A man found an escaped 7-foot python passing through his yard. The week before, a park ranger found a similar-size python 266 in a lake. The local animal shelter generally takes in about 10 loose snakes a year. August 27, 2003/Tampa, Florida: A 12-foot, 125-pound Burmese python escaped from a home and was found by a neighbor under a truck two days later.267

August 11, 2003/Daytona Beach, Florida: A woman was alerted by her barking dog that a 4-foot Burmese python was next to the sliding glass door in her backyard. An animal control officer removed the snake and took it to a shelter.268

August 6, 2003/New Port Richey, Florida: A man called police after finding a 15- foot Burmese python among the patio furniture in his backyard. The snake had gone missing from a neighbor three weeks earlier.269

August 4, 2003/Bullhead City, Arizona: Authorities took a 12-foot Burmese python

from a yard. The mobile homes on the property seemed to be vacant, and the animal appeared to be abandoned.270

July 29, 2003/Tampa, Florida: Police were notified that a 6-foot, 50-pound boa

constrictor who had not eaten in two weeks went missing from a backyard cage while the homeowner was at work. The snake had escaped before.271

July 28, 2003/Manatee, Florida: A man reported his 12-foot Burmese python was missing and had not eaten for a week. A neighbor found the snake the next day

crawling up her driveway and then to her front door. The python had a bulge in his stomach but it was unclear what he had eaten. A captain with the Manatee County Emergency Medical Services called for assistance to remove the snake.272

July 21, 2003/Yonkers, New York: A retiree spotted a 4-foot Burmese python on his walkway as he was leaving his home. Two police officers were called to the scene to remove the snake.273

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose on private property, in residential areas, or the workplace

July 5, 2003/Marlboro, Massachusetts: Police out searching for a resident’s “The snake is very escaped pet 16-foot, 150-pound yellow python found the snake curled up beneath a car in a driveway two streets away. The snake had been loose for a day. The owner aggressive and could was called to retrieve the snake.274 easily eat a cat, a dog September 30, 2002/Fostoria, Ohio: Police helped the owners capture a 7-foot red- tailed boa constrictor who had escaped from a cage. The snake was found not far or a small child.” from the owner’s Main Street residence.275 Florida owner of a 15- September 5, 2002/Powell, Ohio: A 10-foot Burmese python escaped and was on foot Burmese python the loose for about three weeks. The snake was found in a vacant home being who was found loose by renovated, with a telltale bulge in its middle. X-rays showed the snake had eaten a a neighbor small canine, possibly a fox or stray dog.276

June 27, 2002/High Point, North Carolina: A 12-foot, 100-plus-pound pregnant Burmese python was recaptured after being on the loose for two days. The snake was found near a pond behind a neighbor’s home. It took six men to move the snake to a truck. Officers warned the owner for allowing the animal to “run at 277 large.” December 27, 2001/Gaithersburg, Maryland: A 6-foot boa constrictor escaped from an aquarium and was discovered several weeks later in a neighbor’s basement. 278 Animal services and the snake’s owner recaptured the snake. October 14, 2001/Easton, Pennsylvania: A wildlife trapper reported that a company representative had recently removed a 13-foot boa constrictor, believed to be someone’s escaped pet, found wrapped around a hot water heater in a dentist’s 279 office. August 27, 2001/Chicago, Illinois: A man who had three small children in the home called police after he encountered a 6-foot albino python in the hallway of his third floor apartment. A neighbor had moved in with a number of animals and it was believed that the snake may have crawled in from a window ledge. The police 280 captured the snake. November 15, 2000/Columbia County, Georgia: A woman in the Connemara subdivision found a 4-foot red-tailed boa constrictor sunbathing on her patio and contacted authorities. Animal control officers picked up the snake. The snake had escaped in July from a home near the high school located less than a mile away.281

June 17, 2000/New Castle, Ohio: Police were alerted that a red-tailed boa 282 constrictor went missing from an aquarium in a third floor apartment. November 1, 1999/Sea Cliff, New York: A woman filed an unusual incident report with police after it appeared her studio apartment had been ransacked, but nothing was taken. She called police again about eight hours later when she found a 4-foot red-tailed boa constrictor near a sewing basket on the floor. Emergency services officers captured the snake. The snake had escaped from a neighbor more than a

month earlier.283

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose on private property, in residential areas, or the workplace

October 18, 1998/North Bergen, New Jersey: A startled neighbor found a 7-foot “You’ve got to have a python sunning itself on her fence. Hours earlier the snake had been released into a city sewer by a teenager who could no longer keep it. Police brought the snake to a license to paint nails shelter where a worker determined the animal was underfed and in poor 284 in this state, but any condition. August 7, 1998/Kenner, Louisiana: A woman found a 6-foot, 50-pound red-tailed idiot can go out and boa constrictor in her backyard. Humane officers captured the snake and sent the 285 buy a python. We animal to a Florida snake farm. July 29, 1997/Keyser, West Virginia: Police went door-to-door warning residents need these laws that a neighbor’s 10-foot red-tailed boa constrictor was on the loose and was now.” “capable of eating small animals up to the size of a 2-year-old child.”286 Pender County, North July 16, 1997/Westbury, New York: Nassau County police responding to a 911 call Carolina, animal found a 6-foot boa constrictor in a resident’s back yard. The snake had escaped 287 control director from a neighbor down the street. June 24, 1997/Fort Pierce, Florida: A 7- to 8-foot red-tailed boa constrictor was reported lost in a mobile home park.288 November 19, 1996/Mesa, Arizona: An 8-month pregnant woman who tried to unclog her toilet with drain cleaner and a wire hanger discovered the source of the clog was a 6-foot boa constrictor when the snake emerged from the toilet bowl. Police referred her to a wildlife rehabilitator who removed the snake.289

September 17, 1995/River Forest, Illinois: Police responding to a 911 call captured a 10-foot Burmese python who was eating a squirrel in a resident’s backyard. One officer said, “It took three or four guys to uncoil the thing.” Police suspected the snake was an abandoned pet and brought it to an adoption center.290

August 10, 1995/Phillipsburg, New Jersey: A woman resting in her first floor apartment heard a large thump and discovered a 10-foot boa constrictor had fallen through her drop ceiling. The woman, who did not own the snake, bolted out a front window and called for help. Police and town public works officials removed the snake.291

May 25, 1989/Coconut Creek, Florida: After flushing her toilet, a woman noticed the head of a boa constrictor pop out of the toilet bowl. She called authorities and a wildlife trapper pulled the 6-foot, 2-inch snake out of the toilet using a catch pole. The woman did not know who the snake belonged to.292

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose in or on vehicles

April 14, 2013/Tampa, Florida: A 5-foot boa constrictor slithered out of a parked vehicle and into the engine of a Super Shuttle van at a Tampa International Airport ESCAPES parking lot. Police and fire rescue officers responded to the scene and captured the 293 snake. Constrictor snakes have found September 24, 2012/Kansas City, Missouri: A woman, who had parked outside a warmth and shelter in car fast food restaurant, was startled to discover a 4-foot red-tailed boa constrictor engines, escaped from boxes in wrapped around the undercarriage of her car. Animal control helped remove the delivery trucks, and been left 294 snake. behind in rental cars. A driver startled by an unexpected August 22, 2012/Cherokee County, Georgia: A contractor driving his van on snake emerging in or on a Highway 92 was flagged down by another commuter who told him there was a vehicle could easily cause an snake wrapped around his rear bumper. An animal control officer and sheriff’s accident. deputy arrived at the scene and removed the snake--identified as a 6-foot red-tailed 295 boa constrictor. March 14, 2012/Pensacola, Florida: A woman, who was preparing to drive cross- country to Washington State, brought her car to an auto mechanic to help remove 296,297 her escaped 6-foot red-tailed boa constrictor from behind the car’s dashboard. February 29, 2012/Brevard County, Florida: Two women unloading groceries from a rental car discovered a boa constrictor in the trunk. Animal control removed the 298 snake. September 2, 2011/Clayton, Georgia: An injured, malnourished red-tailed boa constrictor was removed from a truck engine.299

July 12, 2011/Delafield, Wisconsin: A man who took his pet boa constrictor shopping with him found the animal missing when he returned to his car after visiting a store. The snake turned up eight days later on the back seat of the car.300

November 17, 2010/Lancaster, California: Upon returning to her car after shopping, a woman discovered a 10-foot boa constrictor wrapped around the car’s engine. It took animal control authorities half an hour and the help of some cooking oil (to loosen the snake’s grip) to capture the python.301

October 14, 2010/Fairview Township, Pennsylvania: An 11-foot constrictor snake was found dead in the bed of a resident’s pickup truck.302

July 25, 2010/Covina, California: A 7-foot boa constrictor was spotted in the engine 303 bay of a car in a store parking lot.

May 8, 2010/Orlando, Florida: A woman coming out of a store found a 4-foot Burmese python under her car. The snake crawled into her car when she tried to

scare it away. A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer captured 304 and removed the snake.

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose in or on vehicles

October 17, 2009/Compton, California: A 7-foot boa constrictor was found “The clerk at the wrapped around a car engine compartment. The snake was reportedly one of three that had been abandoned in a box on a street corner. One of the snakes was store thought I was dead.305 going to have a heart October 8, 2008/Springfield, Ohio: A family, alerted by neighbors that a snake was seen near their car, discovered a 7-foot boa constrictor under the hood of their attack. I was shaking vehicle. A family member untangled the snake and turned it over to a local humane 306 so much.” society. A man in Maine after July 19, 2008/Wilton, Maine: A man discovered an 8- to 9-foot reticulated python being told there was a under the engine compartment of his pickup truck after he and his 9-year-old grandson stopped at a store. The snake had injuries on its upper jaw from being huge snake crawling dragged. Animal control was called to remove the snake.307 from the engine compartment of his January 17, 2008/Helena, Montana: A man was driving with a 5-foot Burmese truck python when the animal crawled out of a pillow case and into the van’s duct system. Auto mechanics retrieved the snake.308

January 15, 2008/Everglades, Florida: Visitors to Everglades National Park stopped to look at a 6-foot python on the road. The snake slithered into the engine compartment of one the stopped vehicles. Unable to remove the snake, the car’s owner drove 15 miles to the park entrance for help. The snake would not release its

grip even after being Tasered. They disassembled part of the vehicle’s undercarriage and removed and killed the snake.309

July 13, 2007/Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: A boa constrictor, more than 5-feet long,

emerged from the engine compartment of a man’s sport utility vehicle while he was pumping gas at a service station. The man had no idea where the snake came from. Police captured the snake as it slithered across the parking lot.310

March 30, 2007/Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Rental car employees discovered a 4-foot

red-tailed boa constrictor in the glove compartment of a rental car. Animal control officers ripped apart the dashboard to retrieve the snake. The snake had disappeared two weeks earlier from two men who were renting the car. Someone else had rented the car before the snake was found.311

August 10, 2005/O’Fallon, Missouri: A UPS driver found a 9-foot Burmese python loose in his truck. The person who ordered the snake from a Pennsylvania dealer instead received an empty box.312

June 8, 2005/Fort Lauderdale, Florida: While stopped at a red light, a 19-year-old was informed by the driver in the car next to him that there was a “big boa” on the back of his pickup truck. He stopped to investigate and found an 8-foot red-tailed boa constrictor coiled around his right axle. A law enforcement officer spent 20 313 minutes untangling the snake from the truck.

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose in or on vehicles

September 3, 2003/Bridgeton, New Jersey: A UPS driver discovered a 7-foot Burmese python loose in his truck. The snake was being shipped in a flimsy, cramped box from a dealer in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to a Bridgeton resident who purchased the snake on the Internet. Police and animal control were called to 314 remove the snake. August 4, 2003/South Elgin, Illinois: A man had driven more than 100 miles without knowing that a neighbor’s 6-foot boa constrictor was hiding under the hood of his van. The snake had been reported missing two days earlier. Officers used pepper 315 spray to daze the snake and returned the snake to its owner. July 3, 2002, Cumberland County, Maine: A sheriff’s deputy investigating an abandoned SUV was startled to discover a 5-foot boa constrictor loose in the back 316 seat and another snake coiled inside a terrarium. December 4, 1998/Waycross, Georgia: City workers found a 14-foot red-tailed boa constrictor on the cab of the police sergeant’s truck parked outside his home. The 317 sergeant did not own a snake. The boa was taken to a nearby tourist attraction. April 24, 1998/Greenfield, Wisconsin: A cab driver called police after he found a 2- foot red-tailed boa constrictor in the back seat of his cab. The snake was turned over to the humane society.318

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose in public areas

June 22, 2013/Chesterfield, Virginia: Several motorists spotted a 9-foot albino Burmese python slithering down a street near a gas station in the Bon Air ESCAPES neighborhood and entering a public drain. A man captured the snake, secured it in a bag, and turned it over to a pet store. The snake was determined to be Constrictor snakes have been underweight, weighing only 15 pounds.319,320 spotted sunning themselves on picnic tables, abandoned in April 28, 2013/Everglades, Florida: Two men out fishing found a 16-foot Burmese dumpsters, and slithering python swimming in a canal. One man snagged the snake with a fish hook and the across parking lots. Hikers have snake dragged the boat as it headed for the shore. The snake pulled free and come across constrictor snakes disappeared into the marsh. An hour later, about eight miles away, the two men 321 in national parks and nature saw another 8- to 10-foot python swimming across the canal.

preserves. April 13, 2013/Torrance, California: Police surmised that a private owner abandoned a number of snakes—including a couple of 7-footers—at a Little League field in Entradero Park. Nearby residents spotted two snakes on a garage roof and

others hanging in the trees overlooking the baseball fields. Animal control officers and a park employee captured a yellow anaconda, a reticulated python, a carpet python, a jaguar carpet python, a diamond python, a baby boa, and a corn snake, and suspected that at least two more remained on the loose. One of the python’s head had been smashed in.322,323 April 11, 2013/Everglades, Florida: A tourist spotted a 10-foot Burmese python in the water during a boat tour. Two tour guides jumped into the water and wrestled the snake who began coiling around one of the men. The other man used a knife to 324 cut off the snake’s head. December 26, 2012/Everglades, Florida: A family vacationing from Arkansas encountered a 17-foot Burmese python in a picnic area. A ranger killed the snake.325

November 11, 2012/Ocala, Florida: Hikers captured a 7-foot boa constrictor in Ocala National Forest and contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.326

November 5, 2012/Folkston, Georgia: Two men spotted an 11-foot python crossing

a rural road near the Okefenokee Swamp. They followed the snake into the brush 327 and shot and killed it.

November 2, 2012/Monroe, Louisiana: A 25-foot pregnant python was found by the owner and returned home a day after she was reported missing. Police had 328,329 alerted residents and searched the area for the snake.

October 25, 2012/State College, Pennsylvania: Police responded to a complaint from maintenance workers who spotted a 4-foot python in the street. Police

captured the snake and brought the animal to a wildlife center.330

October 11, 2012/Key West, Florida: A 10-foot red-tailed boa constrictor was found in the grass near the edge of a commercial ramp at the Key West Airport. The snake was turned over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.331

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose in public areas

September 17, 2012/Waukegan, Illinois: A worker picking up trash along Lake “No question that Michigan stumbled across a nearly 14-foot Burmese python. It took three animal control officers to lift the snake and place her into a van. The emaciated snake, who prevention is the had severe scars and open wounds on her back and suffered from respiratory 332,333 answer. And that is problems, was euthanized the next day. September 3, 2012/Starkville, Mississippi: A 7-foot red-tailed boa constrictor was keeping people from found near Campus Trails and Mary Lee Lane. Animal control officers warned students to think twice before buying exotic pets after finding a second constrictor having them as pets.” 334 snake two weeks later in the same area. Wildlife professor at the University of Florida August 31, 2012/Key Largo, Florida: A 9-foot, 4-inch python was spotted by a sheriff’s deputy slithering over a roadway into a heavily wooded lot. Officers with discussing pythons as Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission captured and removed the an invasive species in female snake, who attempted to bite officers as she was being corralled. A snake South Florida expert with the U.S. Geological Survey reported that about a dozen pythons had been killed or captured in the Keys since 2007.335,336

August 23, 2012/Chesterfield, Virginia: After a red-tailed boa constrictor was captured on August 21, animal control officers went door-to-door searching for a second snake on the loose and recovered an albino Burmese python roaming around a wooded area near East Boundary Road. Officers had evidence that the boa 337 constrictor and Burmese python were released into the woods. August 13, 2012/Everglades, Florida: A 17-foot, 7-inch Burmese python weighing 164½ pounds was captured in Everglades National Park. The snake was pregnant with a record-setting 87 eggs.338 August 13, 2012/Seattle, Washington: A homeless man who routinely brought his snake to Ravenna Park contacted police to report the 7-foot reticulated python had escaped into a wooded area. Officials warned park users to keep small pets away 339 and to stay on the trails. August 8, 2012/Cape Coral, Florida: A motorist swerved to avoid hitting an 8-foot, 60-pound boa constrictor in the road. He captured the snake and contacted the state wildlife agency.340 August 12, 2012/Albertville, Alabama: A resident reported her 11-foot Burmese python had gone missing. Police went door-to-door, warning neighbors, and searched drainage ditches and woods for the snake. The snake was recaptured 341,342 about two weeks later in a nearby creek. August 3, 2012/Lynnfield, Massachusetts: Police responded to a call that a large snake was seen on Upton Lane. The snake turned out to be a python and was captured by animal control.343 July 27, 2012/Richfield, Utah: A 12-foot, 45-pound python, brought by his owner to Rotary Park, escaped and disappeared down a sewer pipe. With help from a plumber, the owner located the snake in the sewer system, cut a hole in the pipe, 344 and retrieved the snake 24 hours later.

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose in public areas

July 14, 2012/Charlottesville, Virginia: A restaurant employee stabbed a large snake “Pythons are a dime seen constricting small animals, including an opossum, near a dumpster at the Seminole Square Shopping Center. The wounded snake escaped into the a dozen. If someone underbrush toward a gully. The snake may have come from an exotic animal pet store that had recently closed in the shopping mall. A restaurant employee spotted wants one, they can the snake again on September 4, sunning itself in the parking lot. The employee get one.” captured the snake, identified as a 7-foot, 50-pound red-tailed boa constrictor and turned the animal over to a reptile rescue organization. Still suffering from stab New York animal wounds, the boa constrictor was provided veterinary care.345,346 control officer commenting after a 7- July 10, 2012/Kenosha, Wisconsin: A 7-year-old boy riding his bicycle discovered a dead 4-foot Burmese python on the sidewalk. The snake appeared to have been run foot reticulated python 347 over. escaped from a cage in a Queen’s apartment July 5, 2012/Whitewater, Wisconsin: Police were searching for a 6- to 7-foot red- tailed boa constrictor who escaped from a home when the cage it was kept in was damaged during a burglary. The snake was captured three weeks later after a city 348 employee found the animal while walking in a nature preserve.

June 14, 2012/Shiocton, Wisconsin: Officials announced they were searching for a 10-foot python abandoned at the 15,000-acre Navarino Wildlife Center after a

visitor encountered and photographed the snake over Memorial Day weekend.349

May 8, 2012/Hyde Park, New York: A police officer captured a 5½-foot Burmese python in a pizzeria parking lot. The snake was brought to the Dutchess County SPCA before being transported to the Bronx Zoo. The snake was described as

hungry, covered in mites, suffering the adverse effects of the cold temperatures and may have had a skin condition or abrasions.350

April 4, 2012/Golden Pond, Kentucky: A 10-foot albino python was found at the

Land Between the Lakes recreation area and taken to an animal rescue center.351

January 10, 2012/Dalton, Georgia: A man walking on a trail near a mobile home park and middle school found a dead 10-foot snake, identified by a biology instructor as a boid or python.352

November 14, 2011/La Paloma, Texas: A U.S. Border Patrol agent captured a 6-foot boa constrictor near the Rio Grande and turned the snake over to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife park ranger at the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge.353

October 14, 2011/Clark County, Washington: A juvenile 5-foot boa constrictor was spotted by a tow truck driver along state Highway 14. An empty terrarium was nearby. Two troopers held onto the snake until an animal control officer arrived and transported it to a shelter.354

September 27, 2011/Buena Park, California: A man found a 6-foot reticulated python slithering across a mall parking lot. Animal control retrieved the snake from underneath a car.355

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose in public areas

September 21, 2011/Williamsport, Pennsylvania: A red-tailed boa constrictor “We are seeing believed to be someone’s escaped or abandoned pet was rescued by two good Samaritans who found the animal struggling to cross a road. The snake was lethargic double-digit because of the cool temperature.356 increases of animals September 16, 2011/Tequesta, Florida: Police were called to capture an 8-foot boa constrictor found by several residents who were out walking. The snake had been that need homes. Just reported missing the day before.357 this week I’ve had August 25, 2011/Albuquerque, New Mexico: A motorist found a 6-foot boa 358 calls about corn constrictor underneath a car. The snake was taken to an animal shelter. August 23, 2011/Lovely County, Arkansas: Responding to a call about a snake in the snakes, a ball python, area, an officer with the Arkansas Game & Fish captured a 5-foot to 7-foot boa 359 a Burmese python, constrictor near a hotel next to Pine Mountain Village. August 21, 2011/McDowell, North Carolina: A couple driving home from church frogs, [and lizards].” encountered an abandoned 9-foot, 5-inch pet python along the highway. Four President of a people wrestled with the snake for several minutes to get the animal into a California reptile rescue container found near the snake. The python was turned over to deputies 360 group after a boa responding to a report of a traffic jam caused by the snake. constrictor was found August 4, 2011/Sedro-Woolley, Washington: A motorist found a dead 16-foot on the road python on the side of the road. The snake had apparently been run over by a car.361

July 12, 2011/Longview, Washington: Citing that the animal was too dangerous, animal control seized an 8-foot anaconda after the snake, along with a 6-foot Burmese python and a 10-foot boa constrictor temporarily escaped from a residence.362

July 11, 2011/Norwalk, Connecticut: A 6-foot boa constrictor was found dead on the side of the road. Animal control officials believed the snake was a pet who had either escaped or been turned loose. It was unclear how the snake died.363

July 4, 2011/Oahu, Hawaii: Hunters came across a 9-foot, 3-inch female adult boa constrictor near the Waiawa Correctional Facility. A Department of Land and Natural Resources officer removed the snake and took her to the Honolulu Zoo.364

June 17, 2011/Anderson Township, Ohio: A 6-foot Burmese python, sluggish but

still alive, was discovered in a dumpster outside of a KFC restaurant by a trash collector. Deputies placed the snake in a container and turned it over to the SPCA.365

June 15, 2011/Berkley, Michigan: A woman walking her dogs discovered a 6-foot, 5- inch python. Officials planned to bring the snake to sanctuary.366

June 6, 2011/Holyoke, Massachusetts: Police, responding to a call about a snake seen in an open lot, captured a large boa constrictor and turned the snake over to 367 animal control.

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose in public areas

June 6, 2011/Oakland County, Michigan: A man brought his 5-foot red-tailed boa “[Four men] fought constrictor on a camping trip to Addison Oaks County Park and the snake escaped from his backpack while he was napping. Park officials handed out fliers warning with it for seven or visitors a dangerous snake was loose and advising them not to go near it.368,369 eight minutes. It was May 13, 2011/Teaneck, New Jersey: Police captured a 6-foot boa constrictor near Brett Park after an area resident reported seeing the snake slithering across a obviously someone’s street.370 pet.” May 6, 2011/Hershey, Pennsylvania: A 6-foot red-tailed boa constrictor was found North Carolina woman near a parking area of a cemetery. The snake was suffering from a respiratory 371 describing the capture ailment. of a python she found April 6, 2011/Eunice, Louisiana: Police were searching for a 15-foot python that 372 along the highway residents reported seeing loose around the city. February 17, 2011/Urbana, Missouri: Two men found a dead 14-foot Burmese python in a wooded area near Urbana.373

January 20, 2011/Irmo, South Carolina: The manager of a car wash found a dead 8- foot python in a drainage ditch while making a routine check of the property. A state wildlife official suspected the python was a released pet who died during a recent freeze in the area.374

December 19, 2010/Liberty, Mississippi: A woman reported seeing an 8-foot snake, believed to be a Burmese python, near a culvert by the Amite River swamps while she was walking through the woods.375

October 20, 2010/New York City, New York: While working in a Harlem park, a Parks Department employee came across a 6-foot Burmese python hiding in the bushes.376

October 14, 2010/Palm Bay, Florida: A 6-foot, 70- to 80-pound boa constrictor was 377 found alive inside a trash can.

October 12, 2010/Traverse City, Michigan: A woman moving wood pallets behind a business was startled by a 4-foot boa constrictor. Police heard her screams and

responded.378

September 24, 2010/Tifton, Georgia: A police officer found a 4-foot red-tailed boa 379 constrictor near a hotel off Second Street. September 18, 2010/Harris County, Georgia: Two hunters encountered and 380 captured a 7-foot boa constrictor on the loose. September 2010/Maroa, Illinois: A 9-foot boa constrictor was reported on the loose. Three weeks later, the animal was found about a block away from a high school after being hit by a car.381

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose in public areas

August 29, 2010/Lafayette, Indiana: An 11-foot Burmese python was spotted by “Wildlife managers fishermen along a creek bank and in the vicinity of two families with young children playing. Authorities responded and shot and killed the snake.382,383 are concerned that August 29, 2010/North Royalton, Ohio: A 6-foot python was found sunning itself on these snakes, which a picnic table at a nature park. Park rangers captured the snake.384 can grow to over 20 August 18, 2010/Lawrence County, Alabama: A dead 9½-foot boa constrictor was found stretched along a country road near a drainage ditch.385,386 feet long and more July 29, 2010/Forest, Virginia: An 8-foot boa constrictor was found roaming loose in than 250 pounds, a neighborhood and was captured by wildlife officials after he went up a tree. The owner said the snake pushed through the top of his cage and escaped through a pose a danger to window.387 state- and federally July 27, 2010/Winnebago County, Illinois: An 8-foot boa constrictor was found 388 listed threatened and along the side of the road on Bypass 20. July 22, 2010/New York City, New York: Police captured a 5-foot python found at a endangered species Bronx gas station.389 as well as to July 21, 2010/West Palm Beach, Florida: A 6-foot Burmese python broke out of a 390 humans.” cage at an auto body shop and was found crossing the street by a police officer. 391 Bob Reed, a USGS July 12, 2010/Medina, Ohio: Police found a boa constrictor on the loose. wildlife biologist at the July 7, 2010/Danville, Virginia: A 5-foot boa constrictor escaped from a woman’s Fort Collins Science car and was on the loose.392 Center in Colorado May 2010/Florence, Alabama: A couple walking along a nature trail found a red- tailed boa constrictor approximately 10 feet long. The snake was captured and taken to an animal shelter.393

March 29, 2010/Collier County, Florida: A man driving saw a Burmese python longer than 9 feet in the road. He captured the snake and cut off his head with a small pocket knife. This was the third python captured in the county within a month.394

March 4, 2010/Collier County, Florida: A man on a tractor in Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve spotted an 11-foot Burmese python. He was able to capture the snake with the help of two other men, but two smaller snakes escaped.395 January 13, 2010/Osceola County, Florida: A 12-foot green anaconda was discovered in a drain pipe leading to a pond and captured by deputy sheriffs.396

January 2010/South Florida: South Florida Water Management District personnel

captured 25 Burmese pythons and five African rock pythons in the first three weeks of January.397

December 12, 2009/Indian River County, Florida: A family found an 8½-foot boa

constrictor crossing a road and contacted animal control.398

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose in public areas

December 6, 2009/Tampa, Florida: A woman spent several hours huddled in her car “[T]here has been a after finding an 11-foot Burmese python just outside her car. Two police officers and a firefighter captured the snake.399 300 percent increase November 29, 2009/Carlsbad, California: A 5-foot red-tailed boa constrictor was in reptile discoveries found by hikers along the edge of a lagoon. The snake was turned over to animal control and found to be dehydrated, underweight, and infested with mites.400 in the past year.” November 27, 2009/Yonkers, New York: Police responded to several calls about a Suffolk County SPCA in snake in the street and found a 5-foot boa constrictor. The snake was captured by New York, after two officials and taken to a pet store.401 abandoned boa October 28, 2009/Vero Lake Estates, Florida: A pregnant mother and her daughter constrictors were found found a 9½-foot, 40 pound Burmese python in their residential neighborhood and 402 called 911.

October 7, 2009/Brunswick, North Carolina: Two brothers found an injured 7-foot boa constrictor on the roadway and turned the snake over to a reptile exhibitor.403

September 26, 2009/Miami-Dade, Florida: County officials captured a 4½-foot red- 404 tailed boa constrictor outside of the Shenandoah Elementary School cafeteria. September 22, 2009/Largo, Florida: A dead 10-foot reticulated python was found in a pond near where children and families hike and picnic at the Largo Nature 405 Preserve. September 8, 2009/Myakka, Florida: A 7-foot reticulated python was found near a state park.406

September 7, 2009/Placer County, California: Local authorities responded to reports from motorists of an 8-foot python found along a roadside. The snake was captured and determined to be malnourished.407

September 5, 2009/Bolingbrook, Illinois: A hiker and his dog found a 10-foot reticulated python at Greene Valley Forest Preserve. The snake was removed by law enforcement and animal control officers.408

August 25, 2009/Great Bend, Kansas: A 14-foot reticulated python at the Great

Bend Zoo escaped through a small hole in a fence left by a lawn mower. The snake was discovered stretched across a city street by a motorist who stopped before running over the animal.409

August 12, 2009/Escondido, California: Firefighters responded when a red-tailed boa constrictor between 6- and 8-feet long was found on a road.410

August 12, 2009/St. Joseph, Missouri: A 9-foot Burmese python was spotted at a park and captured a few days later.411

August 12, 2009/Manhattan, New York: A 4-foot boa constrictor was found in a 412 Manhattan laundromat.

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose in public areas

August 11, 2009/Eugene, Oregon: A 10-foot Burmese python was found on a road “Burmese pythons— by a teenager who accidentally ran over the snake. The snake was later reclaimed by its owner, who planned to give it away.413 an invasive species in August 1, 2009/Daytona Beach, Florida: Residents called 911 after spotting a 5-foot south Florida—could boa constrictor slithering across a road. The snake had apparently been hit by a car and died soon after capture.414 find comfortable July 30, 2009/Okeechobee, Florida: A 17-foot, 207-pound Burmese python was climatic conditions in found on the grounds of a veterinary hospital. The snake was spotted by the 11- year-old nephew of the hospital owner. The veterinarian shot and killed the roughly a third of the snake.415

United States.” July 16, 2009/Annville Township, Pennsylvania: A 9-foot reticulated python, the Climate maps second of two snakes released on July 3 near a trailer park by a Cleona man who developed by the U.S. could no longer care for them, was captured. Police had warned residents to Geological Survey monitor children and pets when the first snake, a 9-foot Burmese python was captured in front of a laundromat, on July 10. Both snakes were malnourished. The

snakes’ owner was cited for animal cruelty and introduction of non-native species into the wild.416,417,418,419

July 1, 2009/Rumford, Maine: Two residents contacted police after seeing a giant snake enter the canal system. The snake was described as 17-feet long and was 420 believed to be a boa constrictor or Burmese python.

May 10, 2009/Punta Gorda, Florida: A police officer removed an injured 4½-foot python from an intersection. The snake suffered from a broken jaw and died soon

afterward.421

January 3, 2009/New York City, New York: Officials found a Burmese python in a field in Brooklyn. The cold weather had taken a toll on the animal who had lost an eye and developed an infection, causing some teeth to fall out.422

November 4, 2008/Punta Gorda, Florida: Church-goers discovered a 10-foot red- tailed boa constrictor slithering across the lawn. The snake crawled into a car engine and animal control officers spent 45 minutes trying to retrieve the animal.423

October 22, 2008/Palm Beach, Florida: A police officer rescued a 6-foot red-tailed boa constrictor who was hit by a car while crossing a road. The snake was taken to a 424 wildlife center for treatment. October 7, 2008/Jupiter Farms, Florida: A 12-foot, 100-pound Burmese python was injured by a vehicle while crossing a road near a shopping center. The snake was 425 taken to Busch Wildlife Sanctuary. September 19, 2008/Vero Beach, Florida: An animal control officer was called out at 2 a.m. to capture a 10-foot boa constrictor found on a busy road.426 August 19, 2008/Port Sheldon Township, Michigan: A state trooper shot and killed a nearly 7-foot long Burmese python that had slithered onto a road and was lunging at passing motorists.427

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose in public areas

July 6, 2008/Concord, New Hampshire: Police captured a 6-foot python found on “It’s not a cheap the side of a road. They were alerted to the snake by a caller who expressed concern for small children and pets. The snake had apparently been run over by a endeavor.” car and was taken to a veterinary hospital.428 Michigan police June 18, 2008/Elbridge, New York: A 12-year-old boy walking his dog along the Erie sergeant commenting Canal found a 14-foot, 80-pound Burmese python, measuring 17-inches around. The on the expense of snake was on the loose for two days after apparently being released by vandals searching for an from a cage in the front yard of a reptile rescue center. The community was alerted 429 escaped pet boa and state police launched a search for the missing python. constrictor in a county June 12, 2008/Rockford, Illinois: A woman found a 4-foot albino Burmese python park sunning itself on the pavement near her car in a Starbucks parking lot. County 430 animal control left the snake with employees of a nearby pet shop. April 19, 2008/Everglades National Park, Florida: Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior Lynn Scarlett found an 8- to 9-foot Burmese python 431 while hiking in the Everglades. April 3, 2008/Collier County, Florida: A Burmese python about 8-feet long was found in the rafters of a Marco Island Executive Airport hangar.432

February 4, 2008/Bradenton, Florida: A 13-foot reticulated python was seen in a Wal-Mart parking lot. A rescue worker found the animal in a culvert more than two weeks later.433

December 7, 2007/Vero Beach, Florida: A man mowing the lawn for the county ran

over and killed a 16-foot python. An animal control officer said the snake was among the largest of the 20 large pythons or boa constrictors he has found in the past decade in Indian River County, comparable in size to one found two years before.434 December 1, 2007/Stockton, California: Two reptile enthusiasts went searching in Mormon Slough for a large snake reported to be in the area. They did not find the snake, but did confirm there was a 6-foot red-tailed boa constrictor roaming loose 435 after finding track marks, excrement, and a recently shed snake skin. December 2007/Metzger Marsh, Ohio: A 7-foot African rock python was found in the Metzger Marsh State Wildlife Area. The animal was alive although the weather at the time was 37 degrees and sleeting.436 September 26, 2007/Miami, Florida: A man out fishing called park rangers after his barking dog alerted him to the presence of an 12-foot red-tailed boa constrictor in nearby bushes in a park.437

September 6, 2007/New York City, New York: A visitor to Central Park found a 6- foot red-tailed boa constrictor who appeared to be stuck in a 3-inch crack in a rock outcropping near the Heckscher Ballfields. Park rangers and the NYPD Emergency Service Unit came out and were eventually able to free the snake by drilling him out. 438 The snake was taken to animal control.

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose in public areas

August 26, 2007/Boston, Massachusetts: A baby red-tailed boa constrictor found “I can’t even let my on the street by a young man attending the St. Anthony’s Feast was turned over to a police officer.439 grandson run around August 24, 2007/Fort Myers, Florida: A 10-foot Burmese python, spotted by the yard now.” neighbors, was captured at a nearby park. Twelve hours later, an 8-foot red-tailed 440 Pennsylvania man who boa constrictor was also captured within the city limits. discovered a 12-foot July 29, 2007/Albany, New York: An animal control officer captured a 4-foot albino reticulated python Burmese python after a passer-by reported seeing it in the West Hill neighborhood. 441 stretched across the This was the second Burmese python picked up in Albany in a week. width of the street in July 27, 2007/East Penn Township, Pennsylvania: A resident called police and front of his home warned neighbors after he spotted a 12-foot reticulated python stretched across the full width of a road near his home. The snake, who had not been reported missing, escaped two months earlier from a neighbor who kept three reticulated pythons and three Burmese pythons.442,443

July 26, 2007/Glassport, Pennsylvania: A couple strolling along the bank of the Monongahela River discovered a dead 16-foot reticulated python. The snake had been dead for a day or two and appeared to have been killed by a boat propeller.444

July 22, 2007/Albany, New York: Someone called police after spotting an 8-foot, 60- pound Burmese python crossing Washington Avenue. An animal control officer captured the snake and brought it to an animal shelter. The snake’s owner reported it missing after the snake was found and said it escaped from a second floor pen in

the Pine Hills neighborhood. The snake had traveled nearly three blocks.445

July 8, 2007/Memphis, Tennessee: A woman’s 5-foot boa constrictor escaped from 446 her backyard near a golf course. June 13, 2007/Bristol Township, Pennsylvania: A 9½-foot albino Burmese python was captured in an industrial park but a second large snake remained on the 447 loose. January 30, 2007/Collier County, Florida: A yellow anaconda was collected from Big 448 Cypress Swamp. January 30, 2007/Middletown, Ohio: Workers clearing debris along the Great Miami River found a frozen 8-foot boa constrictor stretched out near a bike path.449

September 27, 2006/Cookville, Tennessee: Animal control picked up two boa constrictors, both more than 6-feet long, within a two-week period. One was crossing a road and the second one was found in a park.450

September 12, 2006/Dayton, Ohio: A passerby captured a 6-foot boa constrictor

who had stopped traffic while slithering across a road. Authorities took the snake to a local humane society.451

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose in public areas

September 5, 2006/Sebastian County, Arkansas: The Sebastian County Humane “You’re not gonna Society reported they had custody of an escaped or released 8-foot python and were seeking the owner.452 die, sweetie. August 25, 2006/Fort Lauderdale, Florida: A 9-foot boa constrictor was captured Momma’s not gonna after having been spotted loose for several days by worried residents who were keeping an eye on children and pets.453 let you die.” August 15, 2006/Tallahassee, Florida: A 9-foot Burmese python was found near the California mother Tallahassee airport. After police initially captured and put the snake in a bag, the reassuring her 10-year- animal escaped from the back seat of the patrol car and had to be recaptured.454 old son during a python August 4, 2006/Lyon Township, Michigan: A man stopped to investigate after attack while on a swerving to avoid hitting what appeared to be a tree branch on a residential street. frantic 911 call The branch turned out to be an aggressive 10-foot African rock python. With the help of neighbors, he captured the snake, brought it home, and turned it over to a local humane society a few days later.455

August 2006/Hamilton County, Indiana: Three boaters discovered a dead 19-foot python on the banks of the White River. Authorities speculated that the snake was a pet who had escaped or been discarded.456

July 22, 2006/Cape Canaveral, Florida: Animal control officers found a 5-foot red- 457 tailed boa constrictor on Madison Street.

October 3, 2005/Omaha, Nebraska: Animal control officers captured a 7-foot red- tailed boa constrictor from a storm drain. The snake had been seen in the area

several times.458

June 2005/Turrell, Arkansas: Wildlife officials said there had been two sightings of yellow anacondas in the Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge. One, estimated to be 14-feet long, was seen by a person fishing in 2004 and a wildlife official spotted a 6- 459 foot yellow anaconda in 2005.

August 12, 2004/Collier County, Florida: A green anaconda was collected from Big Cypress Swamp.460

August 5, 2004/Brenham, Texas: Authorities reported they were in the third week of searching for a large snake, believed to be a released pet python or boa constrictor and described as long enough to stretch across a street. A 7-foot python believed to be a different animal was caught the previous week at a landscaping 461 company.

August 2004/Louisville, Kentucky: A yellow anaconda was found loose at the Louisville airport’s UPS facilities. The snake was captured and taken to a zoo.462

July 21, 2004/Vero Beach, Florida: A 16-foot Burmese python was captured on a city street after being spotted by a motorist. An animal control officer said he had picked up dozens of loose Burmese pythons and boa constrictors over the years, but this was the largest.463

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose in public areas

March 25, 2004/Old Bridge, New Jersey: A man found an abandoned 10-foot tiger “Any large reticulated python inside a sack on the side of Route 9 and brought it to a local pet shop. The snake was later turned over to animal control.464 constrictor should September 25, 2003/Chesapeake, Virginia: A 12-foot, nearly 100-pound Burmese never be kept around python was found near the Jordan Bridge by a passerby after being on the loose for more than three weeks. The snake had pushed open a window to escape and was small children.” one of three snakes kept in the home.465,466 Snake expert and July 4, 2003/Glocester, Rhode Island: A resident reported that his 14-foot, 60- former zoo director pound Burmese python escaped from a poorly secured tank and through a window commenting after a screen. The snake was found five weeks later two miles away.467,468 reticulated python June 29, 2003/Glen Ellyn, Illinois: DuPage County Forest Preserve police were killed a baby in Iowa contacted after someone found a 5-foot boa constrictor under a picnic table at Churchill Woods Forest Preserve. Police turned the snake over to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.469

November 13, 2002/Bloomington, Illinois: Two dead snakes—a 15-foot long Burmese python and a 7-foot boa constrictor—were found huddled near a fence at a truck stop by a customer. The snakes had apparently frozen to death.470

September 28, 2002/Carter, Tennessee: A pet Burmese python approximately 8- to 10-feet long escaped for the second time from a barn. During the first escape, the snake was at large for about a month and was found by a neighbor out walking his dog.471

August 15, 2002/Bloomington, Illinois: Two residents reported seeing a 6-foot boa constrictor on a road. An officer located the snake and placed it in a box in the trunk of his car. The snake escaped from the box and wrapped itself around some radio equipment in the trunk. Officers eventually removed the snake and turned the animal over to animal control.472

July 10, 2002/Abita Springs, Louisiana: A 12-foot Burmese python escaped from a camper he was kept in. The owner had thrown a live raccoon into the camper for the snake to kill and eat and the raccoon apparently scratched his way out through a screen, creating an opening for the snake. A week later, a neighbor captured the snake when he came out of a wooded area.473

April 18, 2002/Pompano Beach, Florida: An 18-foot, 200-pound Burmese python who had been living for at least a year near a service plaza on Florida’s Turnpike was captured. A state crew mowing the grass in the area had reported seeing the animal a year before and there had been several sightings since.474

October 30, 2000/Lynne, Florida: A woman who had run over a snake on the highway flagged down a passing motorist for assistance in removing the snake from under her car. The snake, an 11-foot Burmese python, was still alive and was taken to a nearby fire station.475

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose in public areas

July 20, 2000/Brisbane, California: Two men found a 15-foot, 113-pound reticulated python near the railroad tracks. Three officers and a sergeant responded, captured the snake, and brought it a local humane society.476

May 4, 2000/New Berlin, Wisconsin: Teachers were instructed to keep the school’s 376 students indoors for recess while police and school officials searched for a 4½- foot boa constrictor who escaped from a student teacher’s car at the Orchard Lane Elementary School.477

February 27, 2000/Edgewater, Florida: A motorist flagged down a sheriff’s deputy after spotting a snake on the side of I-95. A licensed trapper captured the snake, which was identified as a 10-foot boa constrictor.478

January 12, 2000/Gainesville, Florida: A 12-foot Burmese python was captured on an island on Lake Alice at the University of Florida campus.479

August 13, 1999/Woodbridge, Connecticut: A driver who stopped to move a branch out of the road discovered that the branch was actually a 15-foot python. Police officers captured the animal and surmised that he/she was someone’s pet.480

October 11, 1994/Houston, Texas: While relaxing on a flight from Houston to New York, a woman discovered a 6-foot python with his head about one-half inch from her 5-year-old daughter’s leg. She quickly unbuckled her daughter’s seat belt and the family fled to the back of the plane. The snake had escaped from a bag under the passenger seat in front of the girl. The girl suffered nightmares after the incident. The family later settled a lawsuit against Continental Airlines.481

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose on owner’s property

October 19, 2012/Boston, Massachusetts: A science teacher’s pet boa constrictor escaped from a cage at Mary E. Curley School middle school and had to be rescued ESCAPES after getting stuck in a radiator.482

Police departments have issued September 5, 2012/Union City, Indiana: A resident contacted police to report a pet community alerts warning python had escaped and was on the loose. The python was found two days later 483 citizens of escapes and inside the walls of the home.

expended significant resources July 29, 2012/Enfield, Connecticut: Police issued a reverse 911 call to residents after searching for loose constrictor a neighbor reported his 8-foot red-tailed boa constrictor was missing. The snake was snakes. later found under a hutch inside the home.484

July 26, 2012/Hawkins County, Tennessee: Police advised EMS responders who entered a property to perform CPR on a resident to “use caution if entering this residence” because there was an 8-foot python roaming loose after escaping from an aquarium.485

July 9, 2012/York County, Virginia: Authorities searched for a 10-foot Burmese python who escaped for the second time in a month from a home in the Blackwell Trailer Court. The python was found two weeks later coiled up in a side yard of the property and captured by animal control.486,487

May 28, 2012/Bloomfield, Iowa: Police issued a code red alerting residents that a 6- foot red-tailed boa constrictor was on the loose. The snake escaped from a cage inside a high school classroom while a student was cleaning the cage. The snake was found in a container in the classroom about six weeks later, alive but suffering from 488,489 extreme dehydration. May 23, 2012/Wilton, Iowa: A school picnic was cancelled, law enforcement issued warnings to the local day care centers and a nursing home, and police crews spent days searching for a 7-foot albino Burmese python after the owner reported the snake had escaped from a cage. The snake was later found in a bedroom inside the owner’s home.490,491

March 30, 2012/Carlsbad, New Mexico: Animal Control officials posted warnings around the neighborhood that a resident’s pet boa constrictor was loose and urged people to keep a close eye on their pets, as the snake posed a possible danger to them. The 9-foot, 80-pound red-tailed boa constrictor escaped from an undersized

crate and was found underneath the homeowner’s house about 10 weeks later.492,493

August 28, 2011/Brooklyn, New York: A seventh floor apartment dweller

complained to the New York City Housing Authority of a leak coming into his

apartment. Officials entered the apartment above his and found a 10-foot python, believed to belong to the eighth floor tenant who was not home, coiled up in the bathroom sink. The Emergency Services Unit captured the snake and took it to animal control.494

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose on owner’s property

August 25, 2011/Kelso, Washington: A man called 911 after his 10-foot, 50-pound “For a snake to be red-tailed boa constrictor escaped from a cage in his apartment and tried attacking his wife. A humane society officer secured the snake.495 strong enough to pull July 28, 2011/Jacobus, Pennsylvania: A 9-foot red-tailed boa constrictor, who had me in a bush — I’m 6 been missing for two weeks, was found in the basement of the owner’s home.496 feet tall and weigh June 3, 2011/Tifton, Georgia: Authorities spent several hours searching for an escaped 11-foot albino Burmese python and animal control issued a Code Red to 143 pounds, and he keep neighbors on alert. She was found hiding underneath some debris near a 497,498 pulled me in a bush.” rabbit pen the next day. Louisiana gardener April 27, 2011/Coolville, Ohio: Elementary school officials expressed concern about a woman who regularly placed her 4-foot Burmese python in a tree that was next who was bitten and 499 door to the school. dragged by a 5-foot python loose in a September 28, 2010/Millville, New Jersey: A nearly 5-foot boa constrictor was living behind drywall and beneath an apartment floor. The resident said her brother residential area lost the snake in the apartment four months earlier. A maintenance worker went 500 into the crawl space and retrieved the snake.

August 28, 2010/Fond du Lac, Wisconsin: A resident reported the escape of a 6-foot anaconda. The snake was found four days later in the owner’s garage.501

August 12, 2010/Springfield, Massachusetts: A woman who was snake-sitting called police after a 6-foot anaconda escaped from an aquarium and she was unable to recapture the animal, who was hissing at her. A licensed exterminator was called in to capture the snake, found hiding behind a door.502

June 19, 2010/Oak Harbor, Washington: Officers on a drug raid were warned that a boa constrictor and python were loose in the apartment. The detectives found the 7-foot boa constrictor, but the python remained hidden behind the refrigerator.503

September 13, 2009/Elmira Heights, New York: Police warned area residents that a 10-foot Burmese python was on the loose. The snake was later found in the owner’s 504 yard. July 24, 2009/Portsmouth, Rhode Island: Police and fire crew conducted a door-to- door search for a missing 8½-foot Burmese python. The snake was found hours later 505 in the owner’s basement. It was unclear how the snake got loose. July 19, 2009/Hingham, Massachusetts: Authorities searched for three hours before locating a missing 10-foot boa constrictor underneath a boat and trailer in the owner’s driveway. The snake escaped after being left unattended on a patio.506

January 2, 2009/New York City, New York: A 7-foot reticulated python escaped from an enclosure in a Queens apartment, and authorities were called to locate and capture the snake, who was found in a bedroom. The snake was turned over to a Brooklyn animal expert, who described the animal as stressed and aggressive.507

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constrictor snake incidents Constrictor snakes loose on owner’s property

April 3, 2008/Fairview Heights, Illinois: A red-tailed boa constrictor was among several snakes who escaped when a car crashed into a home and broke open the animals’ tanks. Most of the animals were recaptured.508

August 31, 2007/Marshfield, Wisconsin: An 8½-foot red-tailed boa constrictor was reported missing after escaping from a room inside a mobile home. The snake was found two days later inside a closet.509

December 9, 2006/Suffolk County, New York: The Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recovered an abandoned red-tailed boa constrictor found in a home in Copiague.510

August 4, 2005/New York City, New York: A man who lived in a 16-floor apartment complex opened his closet to discover his brother-in-law’s missing 3-foot boa constrictor. The snake had escaped six months earlier. Five officers responded to the call to remove the snake and he was turned over to animal control.511

March 10, 2003/North Charleston, South Carolina: A 22-foot, 230-pound reticulated python escaped from five handlers while the animal was being picked up at Roark’s Reptile Safari for transport to the South Carolina Aquarium. The snake crawled into the transport van’s undercarriage and was recaptured as it headed towards a sewer grate.512

December 6, 2002/Rochester, New York: A group of 25 Girl Scouts was startled by an escaped 15-foot, 105-pound Burmese python while participating in a sleepover at Seneca Park Zoo’s Discovery Center.513

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constrictor snake incidents Abuse and neglect cases involving constrictor snakes

June 2013/Oglesby, Illinois: A landlord found a 6-foot red-tailed boa abandoned in a rental home after the tenants were evicted. The snake was turned over to a local WELFARE CONCERNS rescue group.514

Pet constrictor snakes may March 26, 2013/Savannah, Georgia: Animal control officers seized a red-tailed boa suffer from starvation, constrictor, an American alligator, three pythons, numerous lizards, two tortoises, dehydration, parasites, and several dead animals who had been abandoned in a home without food, water, respiratory infections, mouth and heat sources. Most of the surviving animals were underweight and rot, and other symptoms of malnourished. A 25-year-old man was sentenced to 12 months probation, banned neglect. There have been from owning animals, and ordered to pay more than $840 in restitution and medical bills for relocating and caring for the animals.515 numerous cases of extreme cruelty to these snakes, November 11, 2012/Saugus, Massachusetts: Someone abandoned an injured 4- including a Pennsylvania foot boa constrictor in front of a Petsmart store in 40-degree weather. The snake incident where a python was had five to six pieces of flesh missing, each piece measuring between the size of a

shot, mutilated, and dime and a quarter, exposing some of the backbone. The injuries were suspected to abandoned. Some people have be bite wounds inflicted when the owner tried to feed the snake a live rat. The local been arrested for cruelty to police and Massachusetts Environmental Police were dispatched to the store to take animals after feeding live custody of the snake, who was turned over to a reptile exhibitor.516 puppies and kittens to their October 30, 2012/West Springfield, Massachusetts: A 34-year-old man was constrictor snakes. One couple, arrested for child abuse, arrested and faced charges that included animal cruelty and domestic battery after

punished their small children he used his 4-foot python to beat his girlfriend as she soaked in a hot tub. He then by putting the child’s head threw the snake into the hot tub and fled. The woman had bruises on her knees, 517 inside the tank with the back, arms and stomach and the snake died. family’s pet boa constrictor. October 19, 2012/Cobleskill, New York: A man was charged with animal neglect after authorities found two dogs, two boa constrictors, and a python in poor conditions. The snakes were living in feces-filled tanks and were underweight (one resembled a belt because it was so flat) and extremely dehydrated. The snakes were aggressive and snapped at the deputies. The animals were brought to a local animal shelter.518

October 10, 2012/Long Island, New York: A boa constrictor was found abandoned, along with a broken fish tank, at the intersection of Mastic Road and Roberts Road in Mastic. Responding to a 911 call for assistance, police and Suffolk County SPCA

investigators took the ailing boa to a local rescue organization for care. The snake

later died of injuries incurred from either abandonment or neglect. In the preceeding few weeks, authorities also found four abandoned alligators--one on the beach, two in a supermarket parking lot, and one on a golf course.519,520

August 29, 2012/Stamford, Connecticut: An officer retrieved an underweight 8-foot red-tailed boa constrictor with an abscess on his mouth from a recycling bin at Roosevelt Avenue and Grenhart Road. The snake was taken to an animal hospital.521

August 23, 2012/Boaz, Alabama: A dead, mutilated python was found in a garbage

bag at a gas station. The snake was initially thought to be the same python who escaped on August 12 in Albertville, but the Albertville python was later found alive.522,523

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constrictor snake incidents Abuse and neglect cases involving constrictor snakes

July 25, 2012/Sherman, Texas: A man was arrested and faced a cruelty to animals “I’ve even looked charge after he placed his daughter’s 8- to 10-week old kitten in a tank with a boa constrictor. When police arrived, the kitten was still in the tank and appeared to be under the kids’ bed at unharmed.524 night.” July 9, 2012/Hornell, New York: A woman and her son discovered a dead 6-foot, 20- Mississippi mother pound boa constrictor while out walking their dog under a bridge along the Canisteo River. Police believed the snake was dead for a week and was killed by a blow to the after learning her head. Authorities had been searching the area after earlier sightings of the snake neighbor’s 17-foot were reported.525 python was on the March 12, 2013/Chicago, Illinois: While enforcing a court-ordered eviction at an loose apartment, Cook County Sheriff’s deputies discovered a 3-foot Burmese python in

an aquarium in an abandoned apartment. Chicago Animal Care and Control was called to remove the snake.526

December 7, 2012/Waukegan, Illinois: Following up on an anonymous tip about

drug sales, Waukegan police discovered numerous animals, including a boa constrictor, living in filth. Two men were arrested and animal control officials confiscated the animals. In addition to various drug charges, the two men were expected to face at least 20 counts of animal cruelty and neglect. The police chief commented, “I am appalled by the deplorable conditions in which these defenseless animals had to live.”527

May 20, 2012/St. Petersburg, Florida: A small dog and a 6-foot boa constrictor were

found in a dumpster at an apartment building. The dog was terrified, but uninjured. The badly beaten snake suffered severe trauma to its head and died a few hours later. Police arrested the owner of the animals later that night.528,529

May 7, 2012/Fort Wayne, Indiana: A couple was arrested and faced charges of

physically and emotionally abusing four children ranging in age from one to eight years old. Among the alleged abuses were threatening to put the children into the cage with their pet boa constrictor and putting their heads inside the cage. Three of the four children were diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.530 March 26, 2012/York Haven, Pennsylvania: Citizens discovered an injured and emaciated 7-foot Burmese python in a pull-off area near Brunner Island. Good Samaritans brought the snake to East York Veterinary Center, where a veterinarian described this as the “worst case of reptile abuse” she had ever seen. The snake was slashed in several places, including a large gash to the neck, and a gunshot wound to the back of his head was surrounded with scar tissue. The snake was humanely euthanized due to the severity of the wounds.531

January 4, 2012/Hinsdale, New Hampshire: A 34-year-old man was arraigned on charges of cruelty to animals and fugitive from justice. His wife told police he had killed her pet python and hung it from the porch.532

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constrictor snake incidents Abuse and neglect cases involving constrictor snakes

August 22, 2011/Scottsdale, Arizona: Seven neglected reptiles, including four “It was obvious pythons, were rescued from a family’s mobile home. An albino Burmese python was described as “vastly underweight.” One snake measured 16-feet. Dozens of other children were in and reptiles were left behind.533 out of the house. April 20, 2011/Wood County, Texas: Authorities seized 78 boas, anacondas and pythons ranging in length from 4 to 12 feet from a snake breeder. Most of the With a snake that snakes were underfed and dehydrated and some suffered from mouth rot. The 534 size, that’s just a snake breeder was a fugitive wanted in Louisiana for a similar animal cruelty case. January 21, 2011/Palm Coast, Florida: A couple was charged with child neglect after disaster waiting to authorities found drugs, drug paraphernalia, and a yellow anaconda in a picnic happen.” basket in a filthy house where they lived with a 10-year-old girl.535 Florida official after December 24, 2010/Greenwood, Missouri: Someone abandoned a wounded 12- seizing an 11-foot, 100- foot, 50-pound Burmese python at a veterinary clinic several days after trying pound python from a unsuccessfully to decapitate the snake with a box cutter when the animal reportedly had gotten “out of hand.” The snake received stitches for a laceration that went all resident’s home the way to the vertebrae.536

August 2010/Riverdale, Utah: Two boa constrictors were found stuffed into bins and abandoned in a dumpster. The 6-foot snake survived but the smaller one died.537,538

June 28, 2010/Albuquerque, New Mexico: Officials seized at least 50 snakes, mostly boa constrictors, from appalling conditions in an Albuquerque home. The apartment was full of trash and feces and dead snakes were found in a tub. Three children lived

in the home, one of whom no longer slept in her bedroom because of the trash,

feces, and snakes. The children’s mother was charged with misdemeanor child abuse.539

May 13, 2010/Milwaukee, Wisconsin: More than 230 snakes, including pythons,

boa constrictors, and 20-to-30-foot anacondas, crocodiles, alligators, and other animals were seized from reptile-keeper Terry Cullen after they were found left unfed in squalid conditions. Some of the animals were found dead, injured or ill, kept in plastic boxes and sweater containers with little food or water. Cullen was charged with a dozen counts of animal abuse and violations of endangered and exotic species regulations. He was also charged with sexual assault and false 540,541 imprisonment in an incident that led to the discovery of the animals. March 19, 2010/Oakdale, Louisiana: Authorities seized 21 large pythons, up to 19- feet long, along with many other snakes from the owners of a snake breeding business. The couple was charged with animal cruelty when authorities found poor sanitary conditions. They also did not have the required state permits for snakes

exceeding 12 feet. The couple was apparently running a phony rescue, advertising that they operated a shelter for unwanted dogs and cats—authorities suspected rescued puppies and kittens were actually being fed to their snakes.542,543,544

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constrictor snake incidents Abuse and neglect cases involving constrictor snakes

November 9, 2009/Dade City, Florida: Responding to a neighbor’s complaint that “The majority of she found a 6-foot, 9-inch red-tailed boa constrictor in her yard, police found a malnourished dog and a second red-tailed boa constrictor living in an undersized reptile and feces-filled tank in a nearby residence. The snake was malnourished and sick and 545 amphibian owners was later euthanized. Two people were charged with cruelty to animals. September 2, 2009/Mesa, Arizona: A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of have their pets for cruelty to animals after police received a DVD that showed him trying to feed a 6- week-old kitten to his python. When the python failed to attack the kitten, the man less than 1 year. 546 killed the kitten by kicking it across the yard.

While these data November 5, 2008/Bellevue, Nebraska: A 30-year-old man was fined $175 after reflect duration of pleading guilty to cruelty to animals for letting his friend’s pet pythons and boa constrictors starve. Five of the seven snakes died.547 ownership due to October 23, 2008/Burlington, North Carolina: Burlington Animal Services rescued preferences of the pet an albino Burmese python and a red-tailed boa constrictor, both between 5 and 6- feet long, who had been abandoned in a foreclosed home. The snakes were cold owner, they also and infested with mites.548 reflect the life span of August 20, 2007/Amelia, Ohio: A man brought a 10-foot python to a festival. The 549 the animal and its snake was killed by a boy who stomped on the animal’s head. June 14, 2007/Glendale, Arizona: A 40-year-old man pleaded guilty to a charge of ability to survive in cruelty to animals after coating a 3-week-old puppy with cooking oil and feeding the captivity.” live puppy to an 8-foot boa constrictor. Two 15-year-old boys watched the snake bite, strangle, and crush the dog to death. The man was sentenced to 90 days in jail “The Reptile and and two years probation.550 Amphibian January 31, 2007/Orangeburg, South Carolina: Officers investigating a break-in at a Communities in the residence discovered a 10-foot albino Burmese python being kept in a closet. The United States,” snake was removed by an animal control officer who determined that the animal USDA:APHIS:VS, was emaciated, dehydrated, and had several sores. The snake, who should have Centers for weighed approximately 100 pounds, weighed only 30 pounds.551 Epidemiology and July 25, 2006/Long Island, New York: A man was charged with two counts of cruelty Animal Health, January to animals after several reptiles, including a red-tailed boa constrictor, were found 2001. living in deplorable conditions.552

March 23, 2006/Rock Hill, South Carolina: Robert Keziah was charged with cruelty

to animals after trying to mail a 7-foot python and two copperhead snakes from a local Post & Parcel Plus store, telling a clerk the package contained cups and saucers. The clerk became suspicious and contacted authorities who discovered the package contained three live snakes inside pillowcases.553

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constrictor snake incidents Abuse and neglect cases involving constrictor snakes

March 28, 2004/Beaufort, South Carolina: Richard Alan Hollander, who operated a reptile exhibit at a carnival, was charged with 11 counts of animal neglect after authorities seized five Burmese pythons who had mold covering portions of their body and six emaciated iguanas from filthy, foul-smelling cages. It took eight police officers to remove a 21-foot python, weighing 350 pounds. A 19-foot python, weighing 140 pounds and three smaller pythons were also removed. Some of the reptiles had been offered as prizes at the fair.554,555

July 31, 2000/Beaver County, Pennsylvania: A jogger found a 6-foot python with multiple stab wounds on its head and upper torso in a blood-spattered cage on a hillside. The snake, barely alive, was taken to a man who operates a wildlife removal business who treated the snake’s wounds.556

July 27, 1996/Steel City, Florida: The owner of a roadside zoo was charged with cruelty to animals for feeding live puppies to his giant constrictor snakes, alligators, and big cats.557

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constrictor snake incidents Firefighters put in danger

April 18, 2013/Thornton, Colorado: Firefighters removed more than 1,000 snakes and other reptiles from the basement of a home that was engulfed in flames. WELFARE CONCERNS According to the fire chief, the snakes were aggressive and a few of them were

loose. The house was the location of Boas and Balls, a business that bred and sold

reptiles, including boa constrictors and ball pythons.558,559 Firefighters already risk their lives, but face added and October 25, 2012/Longview, Washington: Firefighters battling a house fire were

unnecessary risks when a fire informed by the homeowner that there were nearly 100 animals inside the home. breaks out at a home harboring Approximately 75 animals—including a rattlesnake, ball pythons, a Burmese python, deadly predators. a green-tree python, a reticulated python, and corn snakes—were killed or badly burned. The man took the animals to schools and children’s parties.560

February 24, 2011/Alewa Heights, Hawaii: Firefighters responding to a fire found a 5-foot boa constrictor as well as four piranhas in a home. Humane society officials retrieved the animals, which are illegal in Hawaii.561

October 5, 2010/East Greenwich, Rhode Island: Firefighters rescued an 18-foot Burmese python from the second story of a burning home.562

December 31, 2009/St. George, Utah: A fire broke out in a 20-foot long trailer home at an RV park. Firefighters put out the fire, then spent an hour removing the

surviving 11 of the 19 snakes kept inside the trailer. The snakes were described as pythons measuring 4- to 18-feet. The fire was caused by a heat lamp in one of the snake cages. The owner of the RV park mentioned that one of the snakes had escaped about two years earlier and police responded when a resident spotted the 563 snake under her trailer. January 31, 2009/Spokane, Washington: Firefighters rescued a boa constrictor, python, and other animals before flames engulfed a home.564

May 2008/Everglades National Park, Florida: Firefighters battling fires in the Everglades encountered pythons, boa constrictors, and other exotic animals.565

May 2007/New York City, New York: A fire department lieutenant inspecting the premises of a basement apartment in Queens where a fire had just been doused found a 10- to 13-foot Burmese python as well as a small alligator who had survived the fire. The Police Department’s Emergency Services Unit was called in to remove the animals. The owner was issued a summons for violating city code.566

April 26, 2006/Santa Ana, California: A firefighter found a 6-foot, 40- to 50-pound anaconda alive among the debris after a fire gutted a music studio. The owner of the studio and snake was arrested on suspicion of setting the fire.567

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constrictor snake incidents Illegal activity involving owners of constrictor snakes

June 18, 2013/Ashland, Ohio: Prosecutors charged three people with forced labor after they allegedly held captive for two years a mentally disabled woman and her ILLEGAL ACTIVITY 6-year-old child. The mother and her child were reportedly starved, forced to do chores, and threatened by their captors with a 130-pound python and other 568 Authorities have confiscated reptiles. constrictor snakes, along with April 24, 2013/Fremont, Nebraska: Police cited a 35-year-old woman for possession other dangerous reptiles such of a dangerous wild animal after finding a boa constrictor in her apartment.569 as venomous snakes and alligators, from individuals who March 27, 2013/Perry, New York: The Department of Environmental Conservation 570 keep these animals in violation confiscated a 7-foot Burmese python from an apartment. of state laws and local November 30, 2012/Indian River County, Florida: Authorities executing a search ordinances. Some constrictor warrant at the home of suspected drug dealer confiscated a 9-foot Burmese python snakes have been seized during being kept without water in inadequate housing. Police also found marijuana, drug raids. opium, and methamphetamine. The man was charged with not having a conditional species permit, failure to comply with caging requirements and unsanitary 571 conditions as well as possession of drugs with intent to sell. November 16, 2012/Zephyrhills, Florida: Acting on a tip, officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discovered more than 100 reptiles inside a man’s home, including cobras, three Burmese pythons between and 8 and 10-feet, and a more than 10-foot green anaconda. The man was charged with possession of venomous reptiles and violating the commission’s rules.572

September 13, 2012/LaPlace, Louisiana: Deputies executing a search warrant on a man accused of pulling a fully-loaded assault rifle at a food stamp site when his claim was denied encountered 13 pythons measuring up to 8-feet loose inside the man’s mobile home.573

September 5, 2012/Bay Shore, New York: A man was fined $5,000 after pleading guilty to attempting to illegally sell 23 juvenile Burmese pythons. Offers confiscated an additional five juvenile snakes and a 14-foot, 100-pound breeder female who

were found in the man’s car. In New York, a permit is required from the state 574 Department of Environmental Conservation.

May 17, 2012/Waianae, Hawaii: A 6-foot boa constrictor being kept illegally was seized from a resident’s home.575

October 20, 2011/Crystal Lake, Illinois: Acting on a tip, local police, animal control, and state conservation officers seized a 12-foot reticulated python and two alligators from a resident who had the animals illegally. The resident, who also had

five carpet pythons, seven turtles, parrots and a white fox, collected the animals at 576 swap meets.

September 13, 2011/Acreage, Florida: State wildlife officials seized a 13-foot reticulated python from a resident who had numerous exotic animals. The man did

not have a permit for the snake and lacked proper caging.577

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constrictor snake incidents Illegal activity involving owners of constrictor snakes

September 6, 2011/Longview, Washington: Cowlitz County Animal Services seized “It’s quite common two 6-foot red-tailed boa constrictors, two 8-foot carpet pythons, and three ball pythons from one resident and a 7-foot and 6-foot red-tailed boa constrictors from for owners of exotic another resident because the owners had failed to register the snakes.578 animals to abandon July 8, 2011/Honolulu, Hawaii: Acting on a tip, police officers seized a 7-foot albino Burmese python from a residence.579 pets in public July 9, 2010/Ormond Beach, Florida: Authorities confiscated five Burmese pythons, places.” a 14-foot reticulated python, and various venomous snakes found without proper 580 County Animal Services licenses during a drug raid. Director in Illinois May 26, 2010/Miami, Florida: A man was offering reticulated pythons for sale on commenting after a Craigslist, without the proper license.581

Starbucks customer December 9, 2009/Fayetteville, Arkansas: Six pythons, a baby alligator, and a picked up a 4-foot diamondback rattlesnake, were among the reptiles two University of Arkansas Burmese python found students were keeping in their dorm room and selling on line. Police, acting on a tip, sunning itself in the found the reptiles. The pair was fined by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 582 coffee shop’s parking for illegal possession of the alligator and rattlesnake. lot October 21, 2009/Crestview, Florida: Acting on a tip that a resident had a “large snake” that had previously escaped, authorities seized an 11-foot Burmese python, estimated to weigh more than 100 pounds, who was crawling loose in a man’s home. Investigators also found evidence of children visiting or staying at the home, 583,584 which one official described as “a disaster waiting to happen.” September 11, 2009/Apopka, Florida: Authorities seized an 18-foot, 400-pound Burmese python from a residence. The snake was 30 inches around and kept in a backyard chain link enclosure. Several men were needed to move her to a transport container.585

September 11, 2009/Madison, Wisconsin: A man was investigated for keeping two alligators—one of whom was nearly 6-feet—and two boa constrictors in the home he shared with his 2-year-old daughter. Although possession of exotic animals was prohibited in the city of Madison, the animals were not turned over to authorities

because the complainant that had alerted officers to the situation was anonymous.586

September 10, 2009/Lakeland, Florida: Authorities removed two large Burmese

pythons from a residence, an 11-foot male and a 17-foot female who weighed more than 150 pounds.587

July 29, 2009/Lakeland, Florida: Two Burmese pythons, one 8 feet, one 9 feet, were captured after escaping from pens where they were being looked after by a 16-year-

old. The teenager faced charges that included not having a proper permit and housing captive wildlife in an unsafe condition.588

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constrictor snake incidents Illegal activity involving owners of constrictor snakes

June 23, 2009/Janesville, Wisconsin: Police gave a couple two weeks to remove 22 “I could feel my boa constrictors from their apartment because keeping them violated a city ordinance. One was about 6 feet long, another about 4 feet long, and 20 were 3- eyeballs just month-old babies.589 rupturing .. I thought April 3, 2009/Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Authorities removed a stash of exotic animals from a resident’s home, including a 14-foot reticulated python, a 10-foot yellow my eyeballs were anaconda, a 6-foot carpet python, a 5-foot red tail boa constrictor, a 4-foot green anaconda, a 3-foot rock python, a five-foot Nile crocodile, a 3-foot Asian water gonna come popping 590 monitor, a 2-foot Savannah monitor, and four snapping turtles. out of my head.” February 2009/Beloit, Wisconsin: Two Burmese pythons and a ball python were Wisconsin man who turned over to a shelter after the owners were arrested on drug-related charges.591 was nearly killed by a August 17, 2008/Kalamazoo, Michigan: Police confiscated an 8-foot and a 5-foot 20-foot reticulated red-tailed boa constrictor from two men who were walking around the Stuart python neighborhood with the snakes in violation of a city ordinance.592

July 16, 2007/North Kingstown, Rhode Island: A man took a 6-foot boa constrictor

to the police, claiming he found the snake along the road. The police discovered the snake belonged to the man, and he had tried to sell the animal to a pet store the day before. Though the store declined to buy the boa, the man purchased a small python even though he could no longer care for the larger snake. The man was arrested for abandoning his snake and lying to officers.593

October 4, 2005/Hockessin, Delaware: Eight snakes, including two boa constrictors and a large albino Burmese python, were among numerous reptiles seized from a resident who had the snakes illegally.594

December 21, 2004/Wilmington, Delaware: Animal enforcement officers seized two 4 to 5-foot constrictor snakes, a red-tailed boa constrictor and a blood python, as well as a 3½-foot Nile lizard from a residence and cited a 22-year-old male for keeping reptiles without the proper permits.595

September 23, 2001/Anna, Illinois: Police responding to a 911 hang-up call from a residence found an intoxicated man lying on his living room floor and mumbling something about a snake. Officers then discovered a 12-foot python loose behind the couch. The man began attacking officers as they attempted to capture the snake. He was subdued and charged with aggravated assault and battery.596

November 8, 2000/DeKalb, Illinois: Police seized an albino python, a diamondback rattlesnake, and a copperhead from a drug house.597

Sources

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5 “Burmese Python Kills Young Girl In Sumter County,” wftv.com, July 1, 2009. 6 Leonora LaPeter Anton, “In python trial, mom testifies she warned that the snake could harm her granddaughter,” Tampa Bay Times, July 13, 2011. 7 Jessica Hopper, “Florida Couple Sentenced to 12 Years in Python Strangling of Daughter,” ABC News, August 24, 2011. 8 Mary Manning, “In Las Vegas, python vs. angry mom with a knife,” Las Vegas Sun, January 22, 2009. 9 Lawrence Mower, “Parents charged in python attack on 3-year-old son,” Las Vegas Review-Journal, February 11, 2009. 10 Cara McCoy, “Parents of boy attacked by python to enter plea,” Las Vegas Sun, March 12, 2009. 11 “Local girl recovering after being attacked by her own pet,” KVBC, September 1, 2008. 12 Greg Jordan, “Local teen shares her horrific story of python attack,” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, October 11, 2009. 13 Bob Susnjara, “Snake made boy sick, suit says; Owner counters that 400,000 have touched python with no ill effects,” Daily Herald, December 30, 2009. 14 Kathleen McGrory, “MIAMI SEAQUARIUM: Boy OK after boa’s bite on the nose in Seaquarium photo-op,” Miami Herald, April 3, 2007. 15 “Lynn teen gets snake scare,” WHDH-TV 7NEWS, January 12, 2007. 16 “St. Rose student attacked by snake,” Asbury Park Press, June 8, 2006. 17 “15-foot python puts squeeze on teenage boy,” KOCO, July 22, 2004. 18 “Python bites teenager,” WTWO, July 8, 2004. 19 Bud Kennedy, “Wayward python wriggles out of limelight,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, July 31, 2003. 20 Jonathan Segal, “Snake in the class takes bite,” Monterey County Herald, December 5, 2002. 21 “Mother sues pet store where customer’s snake attacked son,” Associated Press, December 11, 2003. 22 Ann Schrader, “Jeffco child molester to serve at least 78 years,” Denver Post, November 10, 2006. 23 Kieran Nicholson, “Child-care owner defied regulators,” Denver Post, August 14, 2005. 24 “Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis --- Selected States, 1998--2002,” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 52(49);1206-1209, December 12, 2003. 25 Ernie Hoffman, “Cage cited in case of girl killed by snake,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 7, 2002. 26 “Father Guilty in Girl’s Snake Death,” Associated Press, March 8, 2002. 27 “Boa constrictor bites girls,” Providence Journal Bulletin, July 5, 2001. 28 Kathleen Ostrander, “Pet python bites boy in bed,” Journal Sentinel, May 19, 2001. 29 “Snake bites 10-year-old in the face,” Star-Ledger, April 27, 2001. 30 Eileen Bennett, “10 1/2-FOOT SNAKE ATTACKS FACE OF CEDARVILLE BOY,” Press of Atlantic City, April 25, 2001. 31 Dave McKinney, “Python Suffocates Boy,” Chicago Sun-Times, August 31, 1999. 32 “COMMUNITY FOCUS - Python attack,” Tampa Tribune, August 8, 1999. 33 Karin Meadows, “SURGEON SAVES BOY’S EYE; HUGE PYTHON IS EUTHANIZED AFTER ITS ATTACK ON TODDLER,” Orlando Sentinel, August 6, 1999. 34 Adam Miller and Susan Edelman, “Snake Bites Boy, 14, in HS Zoo Classroom,” New York Post, April 29, 1998. 35 Bonnie Hayes, “Boy Rescued From Fangs, Tight Coils of Pet Python; Ordeal: Decapitation of 65-pound snake proves only way to free 10-year-old owner,” Los Angeles Times, August 12, 1997. 36 Mary Jo Hill, “10-FOOT-LONG PET SNAKE GRABS TODDLER THE CHILD IS RESCUED FROM THE PYTHON’S GRIP. POLICE DESTROY THE SNAKE,” The Post- Standard, June 18, 1996. 37 Pete Bowles, “School Negligent in Snake Bite / Judge: district failed to prevent reptile from harming 1st-grader,” Newsday, October 15, 1997. 38 “RESCUER DECAPITATES PYTHON TO SAVE BOY,” Chicago Tribune, November 6, 1994. 39 “Python attacks boy, 4,” Denver Rocky Mountain News, November 6, 1994. 40 “SNAKE ATTACK,” USA Today, November 7, 1994. 41 “Girl, 4, attacked by snake,” Associated Press, September 21, 1994. 42 Rhonda Goodman, “Conshohocken Is Abuzz After 10-foot Snake Attacks Girl,” Philadelphia Inquirer, September 22, 1994. 43 “Python strangles 15-year-old,” Tuscaloosa News (AP), July 21, 1993. 44 K. Holguin, “Boy Rescued From Python,” Los Angeles Times, June 24, 1991. 45 “Python Kills Baby in Crib,” New York Times, August 7, 1984. 46 “Witness: Python was nearly starved when it killed baby,” The Telegraph-Herald, October 25, 1984. 47 “Autopsy report of child killed by python shows ‘numerous’ bites, asphyxiation,” The Daily Reporter (AP), August 8, 1984. 48 McCarty, V. O., Cox, R. A., and Haglund, B., “Death Caused by a Constricting Snake--An Infant Death,” Journal of Forensic Sciences, JFSCA, Vol. 34, No. 1, Jan. 1989, pp. 239-243. 49 “7-month-old girl suffocated by 8-foot pet python, police say,” The Evening Independent (AP), November 10, 1980. 50 Cheryl Ferrara, “Unwanted visitor: Huge Burmese python found on city property near Marco airport,” Naples News, May 13, 2013. 51 “Snake still on the loose in West Valley City neighborhood,” ABC 4 News, August 21, 2012. 52 Cristina Rendon, “West Valley City woman says large snake attacked her,” ABC 4 News, August 18, 2012. 53 Steve Adams, “Missing Plymouth python captured after biting neighbor,” Patriot Ledger, July 17, 2012. 54 Josh Brogadir, “Python caught, returned to Plymouth, Mass. Owner,” NECN, July 17, 2012. 55 “Python bites, drags Opelousas yard man,” Daily World, May 1, 2011. 56 James Phillips, “Aggressive snake missing in Sumiton,” Daily Mountain Eagle, September 7, 2010. 57 “Sumiton woman says she was attacked by a Python,” myfoxal.com, September 7, 2010. 58 Ana Jasen, “Aggressive ‘python-like’ snake on the loose in Sumiton,” ABC 33/40, September 7, 2010. 59 “Albino Python Bites Construction Worker in Panama City,” WJHG, October 23, 2009. 60 “Woman finds python in her washer,” Associated Press, July 17, 2008. 61 “Officer Bitten by Boa in Woman’s Car,” Associated Press, September 11, 2007. 62 Freda R. Savana, “Police still on python patrol,” The Intelligencer, August 21, 2005. 63 Pamela Batzel, “Sid safe and sound,” The Intelligencer, September 21, 2005. 64 Scott Kraus, “Bucks man accused of stalking ex-co-worker; Man facing charges was in the news over lost python in 2005,” Morning Call, November 20, 2007.

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65 “Python captured, seized after Mandeville escape Parish says man s 16-foot pet is threat,” New Orleans Times Picayune, July 6, 2004. 66 “Woman surrenders python,” Washington Post, August 24, 2003. 67 “9-foot-long python bites homeowner in Bradenton,” Bradenton Herald, October 10, 2002. 68 Mehrdad Jafari, M.D., et al., “Salmonella Sepsis Caused by a Platelet Transfusion from a Donor with a Pet Snake,” N Engl J Med, Vol. 347, No. 14, October 3, 2002. 69 “Police Blotter,” Albany Times Union, June 23, 1999. 70 Lisa Black, “Forest Police Await Nod for More Staff,” Chicago Tribune, June 5, 1998. 71 “UPI Texas Second News Briefs,” Sinocast, January 21, 1998. 72 Joh Grogan, “My cup runneth over, and it’s only half full,” Sun-Sentinel, July 27, 1997. 73 Lyndsay Cayetana Bouchal, “Python bites veteran Space Farms zookeeper,” New Jersey Herald, August 12, 2012. 74 “Thread: Bite Report - 18ft Tiger Retic Python,” Accessed June 27, 2012 , June 6, 2012. 75 Charles Hack, “Bayonne man bitten by pet boa constrictor,” Jersey Journal, May 29, 2012. 76 Amy Carboneau, “Bridgewater python bites hand of worker feeding it,” Taunton Gazette, March 15, 2012. 77 “Police Reports,” Bozeman Daily Chronicle, February 18, 2012. 78 Isis Romero, “Woman Attacked By Boa Constrictor; Wildlife Rehabilitator Cared For Snake For 8 Years,” KSAT.com, July 28, 2011. 79 Pierre Bertrand, “Guadalupe County woman battles 14-foot snake; They thought they killed snake, but it ends up in surgery,” San Antonio Express-News, July 28, 2011. 80 Kevin Murphy, “Kansas woman freed from jaws of python by policeman,” Reuters, April 15, 2011. 81 Lamaur Stancil, “Sebastian woman hospitalized after ‘pet’ python bites her,” tcpalm.com, August 28, 2010 82 Kevin Cole and Andrew J. Nelson, “Deadly snake attack called rare,” Omaha World-Herald, June 10, 2010. 83 “Snake Turns Aggressive, Prompting Emergency Call,” WLWT.com, December 10, 2008. 84 Shawn Day, “Pet python blamed in Virginia Beach woman’s strangulation,” Virginian-Pilot, October 24, 2008. 85 James Dean, “5-foot boa bites Brevard Zoo worker,” Florida Today, August 1, 2008. 86 “Sergeant Wrestles Snake, Rescues Woman; Victim Asks Rescuers Not To Harm Burmese Python, Police Say,” KRDO.com, April 18, 2008. 87 Robin Stein, “Back at work, mingling with danger,” St. Petersburg Times, January 21, 2007. 88 “Man Strangled By Pet Python,” WCPO, December 16, 2006. 89 Robert N. Reed and Gordon H. Rodda, “Giant Constrictors: Biological and Management Profiles and an Establishment Risk Assessment for Nine Large Species of Pythons, Anacondas, and the Boa Constrictor,” U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009–1202, p. 173. 90 “SNAKES ON ... AN ARM,” Lexington Herald-Leader, December 8, 2006. 91 Jo Ann Spieth-Saylor, “Lanesville man killed by pet python,” The Corydon Democrat, September 5, 2006. 92 “Python’s attack was ‘scarier than childbirth’,” Cincinnati Enquirer, August 31, 2006. 93 Sara Lee Fernandez, “13-foot snake attacks owner, resulting in 17 stitches, officials say,” Corpus Christi Caller-Times, November 24, 2004. 94 Brian Ballou and Laurel J. Sweet, “Python puts a squeeze on her owner,” Boston Herald, April 4, 2004. 95 Metro report, Palm Beach Post, October 21, 2004. 96 Jim Waymer and Rolanda Hatcher-Gallop, “Woman escapes python’s embrace; Workers remove 80-pound snake,” Florida Today, June 10, 2003. 97 “Animal Bites,” Birmingham News, May 7, 2003. 98 “Animal Bites,” Birmingham News, October 23, 2002. 99 Alberto Ortez and Pete Bowles, “Biting the Hand That Feeds It / Python attacks owner in motel,” Newsday, August 29, 2002. 100 “Pet Snake Suffocates Owner in Colorado,” Associated Press, February 10, 2002. 101 “Killer snake gets lethal injection,” Rocky Mountain News, February 20, 2002. 102 No headline, Chicago Tribune, May 2, 2000. 103 “Animal Bites,” Birmingham News, December 22, 1999. 104 Karen Lee Ziner, “Some find it’s not wise to embrace pet snakes,” Houston Chronicle, October 17, 1998. 105 “Hungry Snake Nearly Strangles its Owner,” Associated Press, September 3, 1997. 106 “PYTHON ATTACKS SHOP OWNERS,” Wisconsin State Journal, January 30, 1997. 107 Sam Richards, “PYTHON BEHEADED IN OWNER ATTACK NEIGHBOR IN PITTSBURG TAKES CLEAVER TO SNAKE TO FREE LMC STUDENT,” Contra Costa Times, November 22, 1996. 108 Robert Gearty, Rafael A. Olmeda, and Corky Siemaszo, “Strangled Teen’s Kin: ‘We Trusted That Snake’,” New York Daily News, October 11, 1996. 109 “13-Foot-Long Pet Python Kills Its Caretaker,” New York Times, October 10, 1996. 110 “13-foot-long Pet Python Kills Owner, Is Sent To Zoo,” Orlando Sentinel, October 11, 1996. 111 “PYTHON ATTACKS WOMAN COILED AROUND EXPECTANT MOM,” Associated Press, August 22, 1996. 112 Betty Van Deventer, “A 24-year-old Lincoln man was feeling fortunate Monday to have only snake bites,” Lincoln Journal Star, August 13, 1996. 113 Anita Weier, “SNAKE CLAMPS DOWN ON NOSE OF CARETAKER,” Capital Times, August 26, 1995. 114 Colin Poitras, “12-FOOT PET PYTHON ATTACKS WOMAN,” Hartford Courant, May 10, 1994. 115 Ray Alexander Smith and Kim Chatelain, “PYTHON SQUEEZED ITS OWNER TO DEATH,” Times-Picayune, May 18, 1993. 116 “Coroner says snake collector died while wrestling his python,” The Advocate, May 20, 1993. 117 Ray Alexander Smith, “PYTHON WON’T BE KILLED,” Times-Picayune, June 10, 1993. 118 “PYTHON ATTACKS OWNER,” Newsday, January 23, 1992. 119 Jonathan Eig, “Python attacks worker: Plano school snake injures caretaker,” Dallas Morning News, July 24, 1990. 120 Jonathan Eig, “Python mistook woman for food, school officials say,” Dallas Morning News, July 25, 1990. 121 “Man Hospitalized After Python Attack,” Associated Press, July 2, 1989. 122 “On the Light Side,” Associated Press, January 20, 1987. 123 “Pet Python Attacks Keeper,” Associated Press, April 7, 1986.

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124 “Owner crushed by python,” Spokane Chronicle (AP), April 28, 1983. 125 “Python kills collector,” The Bryan Times, September 21, 1978. 126 “11-foot python captured at Florida farm,” United Press International, August 2, 2011. 127 “10-foot pet-killing python found at East Bexar County home,” WOAI, July 14, 2011. 128 BATTLING BACKYARD BOAS; Bringing awareness to the Red Tail Boa Constrictors inhabiting the Village of Palmetto Bay, http://battlingbackyardboas.com/Home_Page.php[11/16/2012 7:04:33 AM]. 129 David Braun, “100-pound albino python seized from Florida Panhandle home,” National Geographic, October 24, 2009. 130 S. Brady Calhoun, “Feds ban importation of some snakes,” News Herald, January 18, 2012. 131 Larry Keller, “Court Squeezes Owner of Python that Attacked Dog; Plaintiffs Who Lost Pet Awarded $1,300 in Damages, Costs,” Palm Beach Post, May 9, 2006. 132 “Another python bites off a bit more than it can chew,” Associated Press, October 13, 2005. 133 “Burmese Python Swallows Pet Cat,” WKMG, October 10, 2010. 134 “X-Ray Shows Python Ate Cat,” WYFF, October 11, 2010. 135 “Python eats man’s pit bull,” Reuters, October 9, 2001. 136 Cathy Frye, “Elusive snake that ate the cat captured on tape -- and it’s a big one,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, July 28, 2000. 137 Tim Bullins, “Python ordeal scars woman,” The Daily Oklahoman, October 20, 1999. 138 Michael E. Ruane, “Snake Attack; Family Fights 12-Footer Wrapped Around Dog,” Washington Post, July 28, 1999. 139 Amy Collins, “Boa’s Owner Sought; Grieving Woman Wants Snakes Outlawed,” Daily News, August 11, 1997. 140 Tanya Irwin, “Python eludes South Toledo owner,” Toledo Blade, June 25, 2013. 141 Lauren Hallacher, “8-foot snake on the run in Jacksonville Beach,” ActionNewsJax.com, May 10, 2013. 142 Ashley L. Conti, “Landlords find big surprise in rental unit -- 4-foot boa constrictor,” The Star Press, April 10, 2013. 143 “Possible Burmese python on loose in Fla.,” UPI, February 27, 2013. 144 “Pesky Python Removed From Lawn Of Palmetto Bay Home,” CBS4, November 26, 2012. 145 “Surprised couple finds ‘huge’ python in storage unit,” Q13 FOX News Online, November 3, 2012. 146 Goldie Currie, “Local farmer finds python in field,” LaSalle News Tribune, October 29, 2012. 147 Eric Sollman, “Bradenton woman spots 8-foot boa while taking out trash,” Bay News 9, October 21, 2012. 148 “Large boa constrictor caught in NE Portland backyard,” KPTV - FOX 12, October 16, 2012. 149 Susan NC Price, “Snake sighted on Warrenville homeowner’s back deck,” Examiner.com, September 9, 2012. 150 Susan NC Price, “The return of the Warrenville boa constrictor,” Examiner.com, September 30, 2012. 151 “Missing boa constrictor back home,” The Clarion-Ledger, September 23, 2012. 152 Gal Tziperman Lotan, “Boa constrictor, an escaped pet, found in Mission Hill,” Boston Globe, September 11, 2012. 153 Austin King, “Rusk County friends cringe as constrictor uncoils from couch,” Kilgore News Herald, September 5, 2012. 154 Alix Bryan and Jon Burkett, “Boa constrictor at office gives fright, one may still be loose,” WTVR, August 22, 2012. 155 Sophie Cocke, “More Snakes Found In Hawaii,” Honolulu Civil Beat, August 2, 2012. 156 Jeff Green, “Pythons make unwelcome guests at West Milford home,” NorthJersey.com, August 2, 2012. 157 Jeff Green, “Pythons make unwelcome guests at West Milford home,” NorthJersey.com, August 2, 2012. 158 Chris Redford, “Authorities investigate exotic pet found at Louisiana Boardwalk,” KTBS, July 18, 2012. 159 Christy Hendricks and Christy Millweard, “Caruthersville man finds python in garden,” KFVS, July 12, 2012. 160 Hope Jensen, “Missing Boa Constrictor found two months later,” WRDW-TV News 12, July 12, 2012. 161 Nick LaGrange, “13 foot long python on the loose in Santa Claus,” WFIE, July 8, 2012. 162 “Malden man finds python on his porch,” myFOXboston.com, July 4, 2012. 163 George Eskola, “‘Out There...Somewhere’: Lost Pet Slithers Away,” ABC 6 WJBF-TV, May 4, 2012. 164 Erik Barajas, “12-foot python on the loose at southwest Houston complex,” ABC 13, April 27, 2012. 165 “Snakes Alive! Chico Area Resident Looking for Missing Boa,” KHSLTV, April 23, 2012. 166 Brandie Piper, “Boa constrictor makes appearance on First @ 4,” KSDK, April 23, 2012. 167 Andrew Thomason, “Guns, animals, cell phones in Illinois,” Kane County Chronicle, March 9, 2012. 168 “Boa constrictor found,” Associated Press, January 18, 2012. 169 J.D. Gallop, “Woman finds boa constrictor lurking in garden at Sharpes home,” Florida Today, January 10, 2012. 170 Lisa Orkin Emmanuel, “13-Foot Burmese Python Caught in South Florida Swimming Pool Monday,” NBC Miami, December 26, 2011. 171 “Python on the loose in rural Melbourne; trapper on alert,” Florida Today, December 24, 2011. 172 “Police say a boa constrictor has been missing for a month in Johnson,” Burlington Free Press, September 30, 2011. 173 “Sheriff’s Reports,” Daily Guide, October 1, 2011. 174 Annette Peagler and P.J. O’Keefe, “Ohio man finds 14-foot long python outside home,” WEWS, August 18, 2011. 175 Andrew Gaug, “Boa constrictor found in Trimble, conservation department seeks owner,” St. Joseph News-Press, August 12, 2011. 176 Jim Wallace, “Huge python reported on loose in Albany,” WALB, August 10, 2011. 177 Jim Wallace, “Albany python search goes on,” WALB, August 18, 2011. 178 “Loose Snakes Leave Community On Edge,” WJACTV, August 4, 2011. 179 BATTLING BACKYARD BOAS; Bringing awareness to the Red Tail Boa Constrictors inhabiting the Village of Palmetto Bay, http://battlingbackyardboas.com/Home_Page.php[11/16/2012 7:04:33 AM]. 180 “Police say 8-foot python on the loose in western Pennsylvania,” Reuters, July 1, 2011. 181 Patrick Buchnowski, “Boy catches reptile, but it slithers free,” Tribune Democrat, July 2, 2011. 182 William Whitson, “Python on loose in neighborhood, neighbors concerned,” WMBF, June 28, 2011. 183 “‘Jake’ the snake found in Elyria couple’s yard,” 19 Action News, June 20, 2011. 184 David Fleshler, “Burmese python escapes from West Palm Beach house,” South Florida Sun-Sentinel, June 17, 2011.

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185 Kelly Rizzetta, “14-foot snake spotted in Silver Lake,” The Ocean Star, July 1, 2011. 186 Dan Fayen, “BRIEF: Dixfield snake caught,” Sun Journal, June 22, 2011. 187 Joe Macenka, “For Richmond couple, buying a chair means also getting a snake,” Richmond-Times Dispatch, April 6, 2011. 188 “Woman surprised by snake in apartment,” The Indy Channel, March 25, 2011. 189 “Anyone missing an 11-foot python?,” NBC Dallas-Fort Worth, March 23, 2011. 190 Lauren Mayk, “Owner of captured python may not be able to afford to get it back,” The Suncoast News, February 1, 2011. 191 “Florida officers trap ‘well-fed’ 14-foot python in woods,” Associated Press, January 28, 2011. 192 “Python found in Brevard subdivision,” WESH-TV, December 13, 2010. 193 “Boa Constrictor removed from Palmetto back yard,” WWSB, October 19, 2010. 194 “Couple finds ‘monster’ Burmese python in garage,” WESH-TV, October 8, 2010. 195 L. Finch, “Man recoils after find: big snake in his home,” Boston Globe, September 16, 2010. 196 George Mast, “Snake caught barehanded,” Courier-Post, September 7, 2010. 197 “Escaped python goes home,” 4029TV.com, August 30, 2010. 198 Stephanie Hoops, “8 1/2-foot python found near Thousand Oaks condo,” Ventura County Star, August 26, 2010. 199 “Salem police called to retrieve 6-foot boa constrictor,” Boston Herald, August 31, 2010. 200 “Secaucus to local snake-owners: we are not your dumping ground,” Hudson Reporter, August 23, 2010. 201 Adam Paluka, “Python Still Missing in Centre Region,” weareCentralPA.com, June 23, 2010. 202 Cheryl Caswell, “Owner says missing Ravenswood python is a ‘cuddly pet’,” Daily Mail, April 30, 2010. 203 “D’Artagnan the boa constrictor now roaming Grants Pass,” The Oregonian, April 3, 2010. 204 “Python may be on the loose in southeast Mo,” Associated Press, April 2, 2010. 205 “Vacant home cold comfort for a boa,” Washington Post, April 4, 2010. 206 “Woman finds 5-ft. boa constrictor in closet,” WFTV, January 21, 2010. 207 Olsen Ebright, “Snake Escape Has Happy Ending,” NBC Los Angeles, January 7, 2010. 208 “Large snake discovered on Hawaii island,” Hawaii News Now, December 22, 2009. 209 “A Slither of a Surprise,” KYMA, December 2009. 210 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Field Operations Weekly Report, October 30 – November 5, 2009. 211 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Field Operations Weekly Report, November 13 – November 19, 2009. 212 Jack Nicas, “Snake captured at Fall River residence,” Boston Globe, October 10, 2009. 213 “Too many snakes to catch them all,” Fox Tampa Bay, September 21, 2009. 214 “Contractor finds 11-foot Burmese python in Port Arthur garage,” KHOU, September 18, 2009. 215 Cristina Silva, “Elusive 11-foot boa meets its match in condo bushes,” St. Petersburg Times, September 13, 2009. 216 “11-Foot Python Found In Springdale, Snake Went Missing Near Gutenshon Road, Huntsville Avenue,” 4029TV.com, September 11, 2009. 217 Adam Wallworth, “Snaking through Springdale,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, September 18, 2009. 218 News report, FOX 7 WSVN-FL, August 20, 2009. 219 “Snake escapes home, slithers across busy road,” KTVB, August 15, 2009. 220 Sheena Mcfarland, “Woman finds 8-foot python in her Salt Lake City driveway,” Salt Lake Tribune, August 7, 2009. 221 “Couple Finds Snake Waiting In Their New Home,” WFTV, August 3, 2009. 222 “6-Foot Python Pulled From Yard,” justnews.com, July 28, 2009. 223 Rebecca Beitsch, “Wildlife agency to start python roundup; one nabbed in Orange,” Orlando Sentinel, July 16, 2009. 224 Lisa A. Davis, “Snake spooks man trimming weeds in yard ,” Tampa Tribune, July 10, 2009. 225 Rosha Safarmehdi, “Yuma family finds 6-foot python on front porch,” The Arizona Republic, July 6, 2009. 226 Glenn Nyback, “6-foot python in Staten Island driveway startles residents,” Staten Island Advance, July 1, 2009. 227 John Doyle and Katherine Romero, “Hissing cousin puts scare into Staten Island,” New York Post, July 2, 2009. 228 Chris Schilling, “‘Super’ snake on loose in Hope,” The Republic, July 3, 2009. 229 “Boa constrictor on the loose worries Quincy parents,” WGEM, July 13, 2009. 230 “Missing Downstate boa constrictor found,” WGN News, July 21, 2009. 231 Diana Bowley, “Cold-blooded class project escapes at Greenville High,” Bangor Daily News, May 23, 2009. 232 Erica Pearson and Leo Standora, “Boy, oh, boa! Boys find snake hiding in the couch,” Daily News, February 17, 2009. 233 “Lost pet python found,” Times Press Recorder, February 3, 2009. 234 “Boa constrictor blocks man from entering home,” Florida Today, October 8, 2008. 235 Jody Lawrence-Turner, “BOA DOING WELL IN FOSTER HOME: 8-foot-long constrictor unclaimed a week after it was found in Post Falls,” Spokesman- Review, September 25, 2008. 236 Patrina A. Bostic, “Finding 10 feet of trouble,” Sarasota Herald Tribune, September 6, 2008. 237 Susan Brittingham, “Slithering surprise found in high-end motor home,” McAlester News-Capital, September 4, 2008. 238 Gene Blevins, “LA City Fire Station 91’s vs Boa Snake,” Los Angeles Daily News, August 28, 2008. 239 “Docile boa on the loose in W. Eugene,” Associated Press, August 1, 2008. 240 “Wild animals wander into civilization,” Daily Herald, July 27, 2008. 241 Jason Archer, “Snake Finds A New Home,” Hartford Courant, August 3, 2008. 242 Peter Jensen, “7-foot snake on the loose in Birch Bay,” Bellingham Herald, July 19, 2008. 243 Carrie Kirschner, “Horses, python recovered by authorities,” Daily Independent, July 16, 2008. 244 Kevin Wadlow, “Python loses faceoff: Key Largo woman pummels ‘smart’ Burmese intruder,” Florida Keys Keynoter, June 28, 2008. 245 “Python did not get far in 2 days on loose,” United Press International, April 27, 2008. 246 Ethan Rouen, “Traumatized by 7-foot python that showed up in toilet,” New York Daily News, October 17, 2007. 247 “Huge Burmese Python Found in Abandoned Hendricks County Home,” wibc.com, September 27, 2007.

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248 David A. Markiewicz, “Tall, dark and scaly,” Atlanta Journal and Constitution, July 27, 2007. 249 David A. Markiewicz, “Loose snake more than likely a Burmese python, expert says,” Atlanta Journal and Constitution, July 31, 2007. 250 Mary Knowles, “15-foot python nabbed in yard,” Daytona News-Journal, July 17, 2007. 251 “Runaway anaconda found alive in owner’s basement,” Associated Press, May 28, 2007. 252 News report, 8 WROC-NY, February 22, 2007. 253 Wil Cruz, “SPCA rescues 2 dogs and 2 boa constrictors,” Newsday, December 19, 2006. 254 News report, FOX 7 WSVN-FL, August 12, 2006. 255 News report, UPN 33 WBFS-FL, August 11, 2006. 256 Frank DeFrank, “7-foot boa on the loose,” The Macomb Daily, August 8, 2006. 257 “Lathrop Man Gets Home to Slithering Welcome,” Modesto Bee, July 27, 2006. 258 “Trapping company in Orange County called to remove large snake,” Associated Press, July 12, 2006. 259 “Bessy the Python Is Found in Ceiling ,” Associated Press, February 22, 2006. 260 Loren Moreno, “4-footer found behind bag of rice,” Honolulu Advertiser, December 28, 2005. 261 “Police seek owner of abandoned 7-foot python,” Associated Press, December 1, 2005. 262 Robin Brown, “Capture of exotic snakes worries animal experts - SPCA shelter in Stanton received five boa constrictors in less than a week,” News Journal, September 24, 2005. 263 Erika Chavez, “Case solved: Python’s a wily pet,” Sacramento Bee, July 13, 2005. 264 “Search for snake finds illegal reptiles,” WTNH, November 4, 2004. 265 “Seventeen-foot fugitive python found,” Associated Press, September 28, 2004. 266 “SECOND ESCAPED PYTHON STARTLES A HOMEOWNER,” Seattle Post-Intelligencer, August 30, 2003. 267 Tamara Lush, “Snake had slithered beneath pickup,” St. Petersburg Times, August 31, 2003. 268 “Police capture python lurking at glass door,” Daytona News-Journal, August 12, 2003. 269 Steve Thompson, “Disappearance still a mystery; Missing 15-foot python found,” St. Petersburg Times, August 7, 2003. 270 Kay Jenney, “Snake gets temporary home with city,” Mohave Valley Daily News, August 4, 2003. 271 Thomas W. Krause, “6-foot boa constrictor on Tampa’s most-wanted list,” Tampa Tribune, July 31, 2003. 272 Brian Haas, “Officer captures cruising python,” Bradenton Herald, July 30, 2003. 273 Will David, “Snake not a charmer on city street; Python found trying to warm itself on eastside sidewalk,” Journal News, July 23, 2003. 274 “Python takes a late-night stroll,” Worcester Telegram & Gazette, July 6, 2003. 275 “Police, owners capture escaped boa in Fostoria,” Toledo Blade, October 2, 2002. 276 “Runaway snake that ate dog gets adopted,” The Daily Sentinel (AP), October 3, 2002. 277 Annette Barr, “Snake’s two-day escape journey ends at starting point; The 12-foot burmese python was discovered by neighbors,” Greensboro News & Record, June 29, 2002. 278 “Montgomery Animal Watch,” Washington Post, December 27, 2001. 279 Linda Harbrecht, “Critters, Keep Out; As The Weather Cools, Outdoor Creatures Head Indoors to the Comfort of Your Home,” Morning Call, October 14, 2001. 280 “Cops responding to call greeted by a 6-foot python,” Chicago Tribune, August 28, 2001. 281 Melissa Hall, “Owner takes home 4-foot-long snake red tail boa constrictor was found less than a mile from home,” Augusta Chronicle, November 18, 2000. 282 “Snake Missing,” Vindicator, June 19, 2000. 283 Oscar Corral, “A Slippery Intruder Snakes In,” Newsday, November 3, 1999. 284 “Python crawls out of N.J. sewer,” Reuters, October 20, 1998 285 Vicki Hyman, “Snake-hater finds surprise in her yard,” Times Picayune, August 8, 1998. 286 “Odds and Ends,” Associated Press, July 30, 1997. 287 “Police return lost snake,” UPI New York, July 16, 1997. 288 “Pet patrol,” Fort Pierce Tribune, June 24, 1997. 289 “Boa constrictor clogs toilet,” Associated Press, November 21, 1996. 290 Sunday news - Cook County, Chicago Sun-Times, September 17, 1995. 291 “10-Foot-Long Snake Drops in on Woman in P’burg Apartment,” Morning Call, August 12, 1995. 292 “Boa constrictor pops head out of toilet,” The Vindicator, May 27, 1989. 293 Josh Rojas, “Boa constrictor found at TIA parking lot,” Bay News 9, April 17, 2013. 294 Chris Oberholtz, “Snakes on a car? Boa constrictor under vehicle startles woman,” KCTV, September 24, 2012. 295 Kevin Rowson, “A snake’s commute,” 11alive.com, August 24, 2012. 296 “Car repair crew coaxes woman’s pet python out of dashboard,” WFTV, March 16, 2012. 297 “Python in your Prius,” YouTube video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7R6BEr1kqo, March 14, 2012. 298 “Women find big snake in trunk of rental car,” WFTV, February 29, 2012. 299 Katie Crumley, “Red-tail Boa Constrictor rescued from truck in Clayton,” AccessNorthGa.com, September 2, 2011. 300 “Snake found in owner’s car,” WISN, July 20, 2011. 301 “Woman Finds Snake in Car Engine,” NBC LA, November 18, 2010. 302 Elizabeth Evans, “11-foot snake found dead in bed of pickup truck,” York Dispatch, October 14, 2010. 303 “Attention Shoppers, Would the Owner of the Boa Constrictor...,” NBC LA, July 26, 2010. 304 “Yikes! Python stows away in woman’s car,” KOAA, May 10, 2010. 305 “7 Foot Boa Constrictor Found in Car Engine,” Chicago Tribune, October 19, 2009. 306 “Ohio family finds 7-foot snake on car engine,” Associated Press, October 8, 2008. 307 Donna M. Perry, “9-foot snake in pickup shakes up Wilton man,” Sun Journal, July 22, 2008.

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308 “Snake removed from van’s duct,” Associated Press, January 22, 2008. 309 Craig Pittman, “Taser? Engine? Python Beats Both,” St. Petersburg Times, January 26, 2008. 310 “Snake Surprises Pa. Man Pumping Gas,” Associated Press, July 16, 2007. 311 “Owners reclaim snake left in rental car; Sammy the boa survives two weeks chilling in chill in Dodge Charger,” Associated Press, March 30, 2007. 312 “UPS driver finds python in van,” United Press International, August 10, 2005. 313 Bridget Carey, “Boa was rear coil,” Miami Herald, June 9, 2005. 314 “Snakes Alive! Shipped Python Gets Away,” Associated Press, September 4, 2003. 315 Tom O’Konowitz, “Snake takes a joy ride in S. Elgin Plumber finds boa hiding under hood,” Daily Herald, August 7, 2003. 316 “Two snakes, one lizard arrest police officers,” Portland Press Herald, July 4, 2002. 317 “Anyone missing a 14-foot boa?,” Waycross Journal-Herald, December 4, 1998. 318 “Police report,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 30, 1998. 319 Yvette Yeon, “Python Spotted in Chesterfield’s Bon Air Neighborhood,” WWBT, June 22, 2013. 320 “9-foot albino python found in Bon Air gets new home,” WTVR, June 24, 2013. 321 Steve Waters, “Bass anglers hook a Burmese python,” Sun Sentinel, April 30, 2013, 322 Victoria Taylor, “Exotic snakes found at California Little League field,” New York Daily News, April 18, 2013. 323 Larry Altman, “Snakes dumped at Little League field in Torrance,” Daily Breeze, April 19, 2013. 324 Alexa Valiente, “Fla. Tour Guides Wrestle 10-Foot Python,” ABC News, April 11, 2013. 325 “Vacationing family finds 17-foot Burmese python in Everglades; Park ranger kills python with shotgun,” WESH, December 26, 2012. 326 Carlos E. Medina, “Large boa constrictor found in Ocala National Forest,” Gainesville Sun, November 12, 2012. 327 Dee Registre, “11-foot python found in Charlton County,” Action News Jax, November 9, 2012. 328 “Snake on the lam,” The News Star, November 2, 2012. 329 “Owner reports escaped python back in custody,” The News Star, November 3, 2012. 330 Laura Nichols, “Police Capture Escaped Python, Looking for Owner,” StateCollege.com, October 25, 2012. 331 “10-Foot Snake Found At Key West Airport,” NBC Miami, October 12, 2012. 332 “Potentially dangerous python captured near Waukegan Harbor,” Daily Herald, September 17, 2012. 333 Dan Moran, “Burmese python found in Waukegan euthanized,” Lake County News-Sun, October 21, 2012. 334 Sarah Fowler, “SPD: Think twice before buying pet snakes,” The Dispatch, September 22, 2012. 335 Mike Clary, “11-foot python captured after crossing Key Largo highway,” Sun-Sentinel, September 14, 2012. 336 Kevin Wadlow, “Experts aim to keep Keys from becoming a stranglehold for pythons,” KeysNet.com, September 15, 2012. 337 Alix Bryan and Jon Burkett, “Two huge, exotic snakes set loose in Chesterfield County,” WTVR, August 23, 2012. 338 Matt Sedensky, “17-foot-long Burmese python caught in Everglades,” Associated Press, August 14, 2012. 339 Christine Clarridge, “Python loose in Seattle park doesn’t scare off visitors,” Seattle Times, August 14, 2012. 340 John Rupolo, “Boa Constrictor found slithering in the Cape,” WFTX-TV, August 9, 2012. 341 Elizabeth Summers, “11-foot python goes missing,” Sand Mountain Reporter, August 13, 2012. 342 “Police in Alabama capture 11-foot-long python after escape,” FOX News (AP), August 27, 2012. 343 William Laforme, “Python Turns Up In Lynnfield,” Lynnfield Patch, August 7, 2012. 344 Erin Alberty, “Tale of lost snake in Richfield has happy ending,” Salt Lake Tribune, July 29, 2012. 345 Bryan McKenzie, “Large snake on the loose by Seminole Square,” The Daily Progress, July 18, 2012. 346 Rachel Ryan, “Seven Foot Snake On the Loose in Seminole Square Found,” WHSV, September 5, 2012. 347 Joe Potente, “Yikes! Boy spots python in Kenosha, but the creature is dead,” Kenosha News, July 13, 2012. 348 Matt Montgomery, “Boa constrictor on loose in Whitewater,” WTMJ, July 6, 2012. Michael Fiore, “Seven foot snake caught in Whitewater,” WTMJ, July 28, 2012. 349 “Python loose in Shiocton park,” Appleton Post Crescent, June 15, 2012. 350 Rene Lynch, “Hungry, 5-foot python captured outside N.Y. pizza parlor,” Los Angeles Times, May 9, 2012. 351 “10-foot python caught at Land Between Lakes, official warn residents not to leave pets,” Associated Press, April 6, 2011. 352 Jamie Jones, “A slithery surprise,” Dalton Daily Citizen, January 11, 2012. 353 Laura B. Martinez, “Six-foot red tail boa constrictor captured,” Brownsville Herald, November 14, 2011. 354 John Branton, “‘Stray’ boa constrictor rescued along Highway 14; Taken to Humane Society shelter in east Vancouver,” Columbian, October 14, 2011. 355 Doug Irving, “Parking-lot python goes up for adoption,” Orange County Register, October 4, 2011. 356 Mark Maroney, “Boa in a bag,” Williamsport Sun-Gazette, September 22, 2011. 357 Bill Dipaolo, “Boa constrictor that escaped into Tequesta neighborhood has been found, police say,” Palm Beach Post, September 16, 2011. 358 Kim Vallez, “6-foot boa roamed Albuquerque streets,” KRQE, August 31, 2011. 359 “Bodacious boa,” Lovely County Citizen, August 24, 2011. 360 Richelle Bailey, “Pet python turned loose on U.S. 70,” McDowell News, August 24, 2011. 361 Aaron Burkhalter, “Sedro-Woolley men skin 16-foot road kill python,” Seattle Times, August 5, 2011. 362 “Anaconda, boa constrictor and python escape from Longview home,” Associated Press, July 15, 2011. 363 Chase Wright, “Boa bagged on Norwalk street,” The Hour, July 11, 2011. 364 Wendy Osher, “9-Foot Boa Constrictor Captured on O’ahu,” Maui Now, July 5, 2011. 365 P.J. O’Keefe, “6-foot python found at southwest Ohio KFC,” newsnet5.com, June 17, 2011. 366 Michael Wayland, “Large python snake found roaming Metro Detroit,” mlive.com, July 17, 2011. 367 Conor Berry, “Holyoke police wrangle ‘big snake’ found in empty lot,” The Republican, June 7, 2011. 368 “No sign of missing boa constrictor in Oakland County park,” Detroit Free Press, June 20, 2011. 369 “Missing snake’s owner hopes for reappearing act,” Detroit Free Press, June 24, 2011. 370 Noah Cohen, “Teaneck Police Capture Six Foot Snake Near Brett Park ,” Teaneck Patch, May 18, 2011.

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371 “Six-foot tropical snake uninvited guest at memorial service,” Reuters, May 9, 2011. 372 Alissa Reitmeier, “Eunice Python Search,” KLFY, April 6, 2011. 373 Jay Scherder, “Woodcutters find Burmese python in woods near Urbana,” KY3 News, February 17, 2011. 374 Taylor Kearns, “Eight-foot python found in South Carolina,” WECT, January 21, 2011. 375 Ernest Herndon, “Liberty python sighting raises creepy questions,” Enterprise-Journal, December 19, 2010. 376 Della Hasselle and Heather Grossmann, “Six-Foot Snake Found in Harlem Park,” DNAinfo.com, October 20, 2010. 377 “Separate Snake Incidents Rattle Neighbors.” WKMG, October 14, 2010. 378 “TC woman startled by 4-foot boa snake,” WOOD-TV, October 13, 2010. 379 Angie Thompson, “Snakes alive!,” Tifton Gazette, September 30, 2010. 380 “Hunters find 7-foot snake in Harris County,” WTVM-TV, September 18, 2010. 381 Allison Petty, “Maroa boa found alive, but injured,” Herald & Review, September 22, 2010. 382 Amanda Hamon, “11-foot python crashes family kayak trip,” Journal and Courier, September 1, 2010. 383 “Huge Snake Found Along Creek,” The Indy Channel, September 2, 2010. 384 “Python found sunning self on Cleveland-area park picnic table,” Columbus Dispatch, August 30, 2010. 385 Ronnie Thomas, “Snake causes a little hiss-teria in East Lawrence community,” Decatur Daily, August 20, 2010. 386 Ronnie Thomas, “Snake not a python but it’s still dead,” Decatur Daily, August 21, 2010. 387 “Wandering Boa Constrictor Back With Owner,” WSET-TV, July 30, 2010. 388 “Snake on the Bypass!,” WREX-TV, July 27, 2010. 389 “5-foot python caught at NYC gas station,” United Press International, July 22, 2010. 390 Cynthia Roldan, “After night on the town, 6-foot python back home at West Palm Beach body shop,” Palm Beach Post, July 21, 2010. 391 “Police nab runaway boa constrictor: Medina Police Blotter,” Cleveland.com, July 22, 2010. 392 “Runaway Boa Has Become the Talk of the Town,” WSET-TV, July 9, 2010. 393 “Boa constrictor found near Shoals walking trail,” WAFF, May 14, 2010. 394 News report, NBC 5 WPTV-FL, March 29, 2010. 395 Eric Staats, “11-foot python captured at Rookery Bay,” Naples News, March 5, 2010. 396 Jeannette Rivera-Lyles, “Anaconda captured at Osceola County fish camp,” Orlando Sentinel, January 13, 2010. 397 Statement by George Horne, SFWMD Deputy Executive Director of Operations and Maintenance, RE: Announcement by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to list nine species of non-native constrictors as “injurious wildlife,” January 20, 2010. 398 “8-1/2-foot boa constrictor found crossing 82nd Avenue,” Vero Beach Press Journal, December 17, 2009. 399 News report, FOX 7 WSVN-FL, December 8, 2009. 400 Paul Sisson, “CARLSBAD: Boa constrictor nabbed at Batiquitos Lagoon,” North County Times, December 1, 2009. 401 “5-foot boa constrictor spotted snoozing on Yonkers street,” WPIX-TV, November 27, 2009. 402 News report, 12 WPEC-FL, October 28, 2009. 403 Shannan Bowen, “Boa constrictor rescued from N.C. 133 in Brunswick,” Star-News, October 7, 2009. 404 News report, 12 WPEC-FL, September 26, 2009. 405 Eileen Schulte, “PYTHON PULLED FROM PRESERVE,” St. Petersburg Times, September 23, 2009. 406 Anthony Cormier, “Roadside python captured,” Sarasota Herald Tribune, September 8, 2009. 407 “Python Found On Placer County Road,” KTVU, September 7, 2009. 408 Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Planning Session Meeting, Executive Director’s Report, September 9, 2009. 409 “Zoo recaptures python after motorist reports ‘big snake’,” Associated Press, August 26, 2009. 410 Colleen Mensching, “ESCONDIDO: Officer’s family expands to include boa constrictor,” North County Times, August 18, 2009. 411 Ariane Aramburo, “Animal Control Captures Escaped Python,” St. Joe Channel, August 12, 2009. 412 “Boa constrictor puts gentle squeeze on New York laundry,” dpa International Services in English, August 12, 2009. 413 “Oregon python owner claims errant snake,” Associated Press, August 15, 2009. 414 Anne Geggis, “Whoa! It’s a boa crossing the road in Daytona: Daytona police catch exotic snake crossing road,” Daytona News-Journal, August 2, 2009. 415 Curtis Morgan, “Biggest python yet is bagged -- a 17-footer,” Miami Herald, July 31, 2009. 416 Barbara Miller, “Second dumped python found in Annville Township,” Patriot-News, July 17, 2009. 417 Howard L. Sheppard, “Nine Foot Python on the Loose in Lebanon County Has Been Found,” WPMT, July 16, 2009. 418 Lara Brenckle, “Cleona man charged with animal cruelty after pythons set loose in park,” Patriot-News, July 30, 2009. 419 Chris A. Courogen, “Second python on the loose in Annville Township,” Patriot-News, July 16, 2009. 420 Terry Karkos, “Monster snake slithering in Rumford canal,” Sun Journal, July 2, 2009. 421 “Python stops traffic on US-41,” NBC2 News, May 16, 2009. 422 Greg Gross, “9-foot python examined in York Twp.,” York Daily Record, January 6, 2009. 423 News report, 12 WPEC-FL, November 4, 2008. 424 Joe Crankshaw, “Slithery pet fair after being run over trying to cross road,” Stuart News, October 23, 2008. 425 Kit Bradshaw, “Burmese python is found near Jupiter,” Sun Sentinel, October 10, 2008. 426 “10-foot boa constrictor captured on road,” Herald Tribune, September 19, 2008. 427 “Michigan State Police trooper kills 7-foot snake,” Associated Press, August 19, 2008. 428 “A Long Story,” New Hampshire Union Leader, July 8, 2008. 429 Michelle Breidenbach, “How a Boy and His Dog Ended Python Escapade - Two-Day Search Over: Snake Released From Elbridge Cage Discovered Along Erie Canal,” Post Standard, June 19, 2008. 430 Isaac Guerrero, “4-foot python found in Starbucks parking lot,” Rockford Register Star, June 12, 2008. 431 U.S. Department of the Interior, News Release, “Deputy Secretary Scarlett Encounters Non-Native Burmese Python in the Everglades,” April 19, 2008. 432 Aaron Hale, “Rescuers remove 8-foot Burmese python from Marco airplane hangar,” Marco News, April 3, 2008.

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433 “Animal cruelty - Don’t abandon any pet in wild,” Sarasota Herald Tribune, February 8, 2008. 434 Elliott Jones, “16-foot python bushwhacked by roadside mower in Vero Beach,” TC Palm, December 11, 2007. 435 Tara Cuslidge, “Yes, there is (or was) a snake out there: Only it’s not quite as large as people feared,” Record, December 5, 2007. 436 “Snake in the grass surprises hunters,” Toledo Blade, December 11, 2007. 437 News report, FOX 7 WSVN-FL, September 26, 2007. 438 Heidi Singer, “Sssaved in Central Pk. - 6-ft. boa pulled from a rock & hardplace,” New York Post, September 7, 2007. 439 Laurel J. Sweet, “Feast your eyes on thisssss!,” Boston Herald, August 27, 2007. 440 News report, NBC 6 WTVJ-FL, August 24, 2007. 441 Paul Grondahl, “Shelter takes in pair of slithering guests: Two runaway pythons picked up in Albany; owner of one located ,” Times Union, August 23, 2007. 442 Chris Parker, “Python slithers from Carbon County home; 2 brothers see 12-foot snake in the road, owner seeks Dehlia,” Morning Call, July 31, 2007. 443 Bob Laylo, “Snake on the, um, run poses little danger, police say; Children and pets are fairly safe, East Penn’s small rodents, less so,” Morning Call, August 1, 2007. 444 “Couple finds dead python along Mon in Glassport,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 27, 2007. 445 Paul Grondahl, “Shelter takes in pair of slithering guests: Two runaway pythons picked up in Albany; owner of one located ,” Times Union, August 23, 2007. 446 “Boa constrictor escapes near Memphis golf course,” Associated Press, July 25, 2007. 447 “Giant Snakes On Loose Have People In Uproar,” KSAT, June 15, 2007. 448 U.S. Geological Survey Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, . 449 “Frozen 8-foot boa constrictor found along river,” Associated Press, January 30, 2007. 450 News report, CBS 5 WTVF-TN, September 26, 2006. 451 News report, 5 WPTV-FL, September 13, 2006. 452 News report, ABC 40 KHBS-AR, September 5, 2006. 453 News report, CBS 2 WCBS-NY, August 26, 2006. 454 “Exotic Snakes are Becoming Bigger Problem,” WJHG, August 15, 2006. 455 Dan Trudeau, “Encounter with python shakes thing up for local man,” South Lyon Herald, August 10, 2006. 456 “River trip turns up surprise,” Indianapolis Star, August 10, 2006. 457 News report, NBC 2 WESH, July 22, 2006. 458 “Boa constrictor pulled from storm drain,” Associated Press, October 6, 2005. 459 “Anacondas in Region 8?,” KAIT8.com, June 22, 2005. 460 U.S. Geological Survey Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, . 461 “Texas Authorities Try to Corral Big Snake,” Associated Press, August 5, 2004. 462 James Bruggers, “Wildlife agency adds Louisville as a port; SubHead: Direct import, export of products to be allowed,” The Courier-Journal, December 20, 2004. 463 “Giant Python Caught on Florida Street,” Vero Beach Press-Journal (AP), July 23, 2004. 464 Brian T. Murray, “Ain’t she Sweet? Python found on roadside Fluffy the snake is still only a baby,” Star-Ledger, April 2, 2004. 465 Steve Stone, “Missing snake found near Jordan Bridge,” Virginian-Pilot, September 26, 2003. 466 Danielle R. Roach, “100-pound python goes missing in Chesapeake,” Virginian-Pilot, September 2, 2003. 467 Kate Bramson, “14-foot python slithers free from home in Glocester,” Providence Journal Bulletin, July 5, 2003. 468 Liz Anderson, “Slick the snake is finally recovered,” Providence Journal Bulletin, August 11, 2003. 469 Art Golab, “Boa constrictor caught in DuPage forest preserve; 5-foot snake likely was pet whose owner abandoned it in wild,” Chicago Sun-Times, July 11, 2003. 470 Kevin Simpson, “Two large snakes found dead at truck stop; Boa, python apparently froze,” Pantagraph, November 14, 2002. 471 Jim Balloch, “Burmese python on loose again in Carter,” Knoxville News-Sentinel, September 28, 2002. 472 Kevin Simpson, “Woman finds 6-foot snake in Twin Cities,” Pantagraph, August 15, 2002. 473 Stephanie A. Stanley, “Snake snatched slithering on street; Neighbor grabbed escaped python’s tail,” Times Picayune, June 12, 2002. 474 Joe Kollin, “200-pound python caught at turnpike plaza; wildlife warden snags snake with noose after yearlong hunt,” Sun Sentinel, April 19, 2002. 475 “Bystander on highway hunts down, snares python,” Associated Press, November 8, 2000. 476 Kim Vo, “Animal sightings make for cold-blooded detective work snakes alive! 15-footer abandoned in brisbane,” San Jose Mercury News, July 21, 2000. 477 Sam Martino, “Fugitive boa: Snake escapes near school,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 6, 2000. 478 “Deputies corral snake on the run,” Daytona News-Journal, February 29, 2000. 479 “12-foot python found on Lake Alice island,” Associated Press, January 14, 2000. 480 “Python found,” WTNH, August 13, 1999. 481 George Flynn, “Airline lawsuit settled; parents say snake terrorized 5-year-old,” Houston Chronicle, August 13, 1996. 482 “Boa constrictor rescued after getting stuck in radiator at school,” FOX 25/MyFoxBoston.com, October 19, 2012. 483 “Pet python back in cage,” WHIO, September 7, 2012. 484 Stephania Jimenez, “Snake Scare in Enfield,” NBC Connecticut, July 30, 2012. 485 Rain Smith, “EMS bitten by dogs in Hawkins County home; 8 foot python also loose,” Kingsport Times-News, July 30, 2012. 486 Karen Hopkins, “Burmese Python missing from Grafton home,” WVEC, July 9, 2012. 487 Nick Dutton, “Missing python turns up outside York County trailer,” July 24, 2012. 488 Kate Allt, “Escaped six-foot snake on the loose in Bloomfield,” HeartlandConnection.com, May 28, 2012. 489 “Boa constrictor no longer on the loose,” KTVO, July 11, 2012. 490 Jeff Whitten, “Snake Hunt In Wilton, IA,” KWQC, May 23, 2012. 491 Chris Minor, “Town relieved missing python found but case not closed,” WQAD, May 23, 2012.

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492 Adam Camp, “Boa constrictor loose in Carlsbad,” KOB Eyewitness News 4, April 2, 2012. 493 Jessica Garate, “Missing Carlsbad BOA constrictor found,” KRQE, June 18, 2012. 494 Molly C. Braswell, “Python Found in Brooklyn Apartment After Irene,” AllMediaNY, August 29, 2011. 495 “10-foot snake recaptured in apartment,” The Daily News, August 26, 2011. 496 Greg Gross, “Missing pet snake found -- safe at home all along,” York Dispatch, August 14, 2011. 497 Tayleigh Davis, “Owners search for 11ft Albino Python on the loose,” WALB, June 3, 2011. 498 Tayleigh Davis, “Owners find missing python,” WALB, June 4, 2011. 499 “Woman cited after school complains about python in tree,” WBNS-10TV, April 28, 2011. 500 “Boa caught in unit at Oakview Apartments,” Daily Journal, September 29, 2010. 501 “Missing snake found in owner’s garage,” WLUK-TV, September 1, 2010. 502 “Anaconda found loose in Springfield,” WGGB, August 12, 2010. 503 Jessie Stensland, “Snakes complicate drug raid in Oak Harbor,” Whidbey News Times, June 27, 2010. 504 “Missing python found in owner’s yard,” Star-Gazette, September 14, 2009. 505 “Python reported missing found,” NBC 10 News, July 24, 2009. 506 “Three-hour snakehunt on Simmons Road,” Boston.com, July 22, 2009 507 Clare Trapasso, “FER GOODNESS SNAKES, GET IT OUTTA HERE!,” New York Daily News, January 3, 2009. 508 Maria Baran, “Snakes freed when car crashes into Fairview Heights home,” Belleville News Democrat, April 4, 2008. 509 “Missing boa constrictor turns up safe at home,” Associated Press, September 2, 2007. 510 Wil Cruz, “SPCA rescues 2 dogs and 2 boa constrictors,” Newsday, December 19, 2006. 511 Joseph Berger, “Boa Hanging in the Closet Was Not the Feathery Kind,” New York Times, August 4, 2005. 512 “Python makes slither for freedom,” Columbia State, March 12, 2003. 513 Daryl Bell, “Sleepover gets the slithers,” Democrat and Chronicle, December 13, 2002. 514 Matthew Baker, “Reptile rescue: IVAR, Chicago society rescue boa,” LaSalle News Tribune, June 24, 2013. 515 Jan Skutch, “Man gets probation, restitution in animal abuse case,” Savannah Morning News, June 18, 2013. 516 Mike Gaffney, “Boa constrictor abandoned at Saugus Petsmart,” wickedlocal.com, November 22, 2012. 517 “Man Behind Python Assault Turns Himself In to Police,” WGGB, November 2, 2012. 518 David Avitabile, “Man charged with leaving dogs, snakes to starve,” Times Journal, October 24, 2012. 519 Rashed Mian, “Boa Constrictor Found in Mastic,” Long Island Press, October 10, 2012. 520 Arun Kristian Das, “Abandoned boa constrictor dies; reward offered in case,” myfoxny.com, October 19, 2012. 521 DJ McAneny, “You Shouldn’t Try To Recycle Your Snakes,” StamfordPatch.com, September 4, 2012. 522 Robert Richardson, “Albertville Python Owner Talks About Snake’s Slaughter,” WHNT, August 24, 2012. 523 “Reports of Albertville python’s death greatly exaggerated,” al.com, August 27, 2012. 524 “Man allegedly places daughter’s kitten in cage with a snake,” KXII, July 25, 2012. 525 Andrew Poole, “Woman, son find dead boa constrictor in Hornell,” The Evening Tribune, July 11, 2012. 526 “Python found during Chicago apartment eviction,” Cook County Sheriff’s Office press release, March 12, 2013. 527 Frank Abderholden, “Waukegan drug arrests lead to neglected animals,” Lake County News-Sun, December 7, 2012. 528 “Dog, snake thrown in St. Petersburg garbage bin,” Bay News 9, May 21, 2012. 529 Brad Davis, “Six foot boa constrictor and dog left in dumpster in animal cruelty case,” ABC Action News, May 24, 2012. 530 “Couple facing charges after physically and emotionally abusing children; Henderson threatened to put kids in a snake cage,” WANE, May 7, 2012. 531 Ted Czech and Rebecca LeFever, “Mutilated python found in York Haven; The male snake was cut in at least two places, and also had a gunshot wound to the neck,” Daily Record, March 28, 2012. 532 Casey Farrar, “Man faces animal cruelty, fugitive from justice charges,” Sentinel Source, January 5, 2012. 533 Natalie Rivers, “Reptiles rescued from northern Arizona,” azfamily.com, August 22, 2011. 534 John Nova Lomax, “David Beauchemin / Damon James Heynen: Fugitive Snake Farmer Busted Again In East Texas,” Houston Press, April 21, 2011. 535 “Couple face drug, neglect charges,” Daytona News-Journal, January 26, 2011. 536 Matt Campbell, “In the spirit of Christmas, a big snake gets a break,” Kansas City Star, December 27, 2010. 537 Jessica Miller, “Two exotic snakes discovered in Riverdale trash bin,” Standard-Examiner, August 27, 2010. 538 “Two Boa Constrictors found tossed into an Ogden dumpster,” ABC 4 News, August 26, 2010. 539 “72 Snakes Found In Apartment,” KOAT-TV, June 29, 2010. 540 Jackie Loohauis-Bennett, “At least 32 reptiles in abuse case were lent from zoos,” Journal Sentinel, August 4, 2010. 541 Lisa Holewa, “Wis. Warehouse Found Crawling With Rare Reptiles,” AOL News, May 14, 2010. 542 “Oakdale snake breeder sentenced for animal cruelty,” Alexandria Daily Town Talk, October 18, 2011. 543 “Wanted: Homes for 21 big snakes,” Associated Press, March 23, 2010. 544 John Nova Lomax, “David Beauchemin / Damon James Heynen: Fugitive Snake Farmer Busted Again In East Texas,” Houston Press, April 21, 2011. 545 “Dade City man accused of cruelty to snakes,” Tampa Bay Online, April 9, 2010. 546 “Mesa man arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty,” Associated Press, September 2, 2009. 547 Kevin Cole, “Animal cruelty case brings $175 fine,” Omaha World-Herald, November 6, 2008. 548 Roselee Papandrea, “Scaly friends find safety in Whitsett: Snakes still recovering from cold, hunger,” Times-News, November 27, 2008. 549 “Boy stomps, kills python at southern Ohio festival,” 13abc.com, August 23, 2007. 550 Brent Whiting, “Man who fed puppy to snake gets jail, probation,” Arizona Republic, June 14, 2007. 551 Richard Walker, “Python captured from closet,” The Times and Democrat, February 1, 2007. 552 News report, FOX 5 WNYW-NY, July 25, 2006. 553 Rebecca Sulock, “Snake shipper charged with animal cruelty,” The Herald, March 28, 2006. 554 Glenn Maffei, “21-foot python saved as carnival moves on,” Beaufort Gazette, April 2, 2004.

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constrictor snake incidents

555 “Exhibit keeper is cited in reptile mistreatment,” Associated Press, April 2, 2004. 556 Rachael Conway, “Police seek clues in stabbing of python,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 12, 2000. 557 “Zoo Owner Is Accused of Feeding Puppies to Snakes,” Associated Press, July 27, 1996. 558 “More than 1,000 exotic snakes rescued from house fire moved to Thornton pet store,” The Denver Channel, April 19, 2013. 559 Ryan Parker and Kieran Nicholson, “Family of 7 escapes fire safely, along with about 1,000 reptile specimens,” Denver Post, April 18, 2013. 560 Amy M.E. Fischer, “75 reptiles perish in Longview blaze,” The Daily News, October 25, 2012. 561 Gordon Y.K. Pang, “Firefighters encounter piranhas, boa constrictor in burned home,” Honolulu Star-Advertiser, February 26, 2011. 562 Lynn Curwin, “Firefighters rescue python from burning house,” Digital Journal, October 5, 2010. 563 Kevin Jenkins, “Firefighters wrangle pythons at Utah trailer fire,” The Spectrum, January 1, 2010. 564 “Firefighters save python, boa constrictor in Wash.,” Seattle Times (KREM-TV), February 1, 2009. 565 Willie Drye, “Big Reptiles, Alien Trees Hamper Everglades Fire Fight,” National Geographic News, May 22, 2008. 566 Jim Dwyer, “Firefighters rescue python, alligator,” New York Times, June 4, 2007. 567 “Eye the anaconda survives music store fire,” Associated Press, April 26, 2006. 568 Pamela Engel, “Disabled Mom And Child Allegedly Enslaved For Years, Threatened With 130-Pound Python,” Business Insider, June 18, 2013. 569 “Police remove alligator from Fremont home,” Fremont Tribune, April 25, 2013. 570 Rose Eiklor, “Wyoming County man says he rescued Burmese python,” YNN, March 29, 2013. 571 Lamaur Stancil, “Python, illegal drugs in Vero Beach home land 2 men in jail,” TC Palm, December 3, 2012. 572 Eddie Daniels, “Tip turns up 100-plus reptiles at man’s home,” Tampa Bay Online, November 16, 2012. 573 Lori Lyons, “St. John deputies discover 13 snakes at LaPlace suspect’s home,” Times-Picayune, September 14, 2012. 574 “Man Pleads Guilty To Burmese Python Sale,” NewsLI.com, September 11, 2012. 575 “6-foot-long boa constrictor found in Waianae home,” KITV, May 18, 2012. 576 Lawerence Synett, “Alligators, python seized from Crystal Lake home,” TribLocal.com, October 20, 2011. 577 David Fleshler, “Reticulated python seized from Palm Beach County home,” Sun Sentinel, September 13, 2011. 578 Tony Lystra, “Humane Society’s snake roundup continues; seven more seized,” The Daily News, September 6, 2011. 579 Gordon Y.K. Pang, “7-foot python taken into custody,” Honolulu Star-Advertiser, July 9, 2011. 580 Patricio G. Balona, “Snakes taken in drug raid were pets,” Daytona News-Journal, July 11, 2010. 581 “MAN ACCUSED OF ILLEGALLY SELLING PYTHONS,” Sun Sentinel, May 27, 2010. 582 “Alligator, Pythons Found in Dorm,” Associated Press, December 9, 2009. 583 Angel McCurdy, “11-foot-long python seized from Crestview home,” Washington County News, October 23, 2009. 584 David Braun, “100-pound albino python seized from Florida Panhandle home,” National Geographic, October 24, 2009. 585 Anthony Colarossi, “State squeezes python’s owner,” Orlando Sentinel, September 19, 2009. 586 Samara Kalk Derby, “Man who housed baboon had run-ins with police over alligators, snakes,” Madison.com, September 10, 2011. 587 “Officers seize Lakeland man’s Burmese pythons ,” Tampa Tribune, September 12, 2009. 588 “Florida trappers snag 17-foot-2-inch Burmese python,” The News-Press, August 1, 2009. 589 Kathleen Foody, “22 snakes found in Janesville apartment,” Gazettextra, July 3, 2009. 590 Jesse Garza, “Snakes, crocodile removed from south side home,” Journal Sentinel, April 3, 2009. 591 Hillary Gavan, “Abandoned alligator, ‘Wally,’ will go to Serpent Sanctuary,” Beloit Daily News, February 18, 2009. 592 Roberto Acosta, “Snakes taken from two men,” Kalamazoo Gazette, August 18, 2008. 593 Paul Davis, “Man charged after giving snake to police,” Providence Journal Bulletin, July 20, 2007. 594 Terri Sanginiti, “Another reptile roundup - Nine more snakes - plus an alligator and snapper - now at SPCA,” News Journal, October 5, 2005. 595 “Reptiles taken from home,” News Journal, December 22, 2004. 596 “Police nab python, then arrest owner,” Associated Press, October 20, 2001. 597 Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Law Enforcement, Activities Report, Region 1, November 2000.

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