Five-foot "python" found downtown - Ontario

At least this time they didn't run over it and shoot it three times. The press needs to learn to id exotics a little better, I hope the SPCA knows they don't have a python. But they better keep it away from the kittens!

Five-foot python found downtown - see video
Posted By NICOLE RIVA/Examiner City Editor
Updated 17 hours ago


By NICOLE RIVA

Examiner City Editor

A group of youths came across a slithering discovery early Wednesday morning – a five-foot python.

Peterborough Humane Society general manager Brad Algar picked up the snake at Lake and Aylmer streets around 12:30 a.m.

“It’s pretty unusual to have one that big running around,” Algar said. “This one definitely gets your attention.”

Algar said it’s likely the python had travelled to the road in search of heat.

The snake is in good health, and Algar said it was likely someone’s pet as the python is accustomed to being held.

“Ît’s about as big around as your arm,” he said.

Pythons are considered a restricted animal according to city bylaw, which requires a permit to own such a pet.

Algar said several Peterborough pet stores sell about 40 to 60 snakes each month, but in his seven years with the humane society no permits have been issued.

“You can have the snakes as long as you have a permit,” he said.

To get a permit for a restricted pet, including pythons, boas, ferrets, spiders and exotic pigs, the humane society would go to the home and ensure the tank was the appropriate size, was a safe enclosure and had a heat source, Algar said.

The python wouldn’t pose a risk to the public, he said, but had the snake been hungry smaller animals could have been at risk.

“It’s not something you want in Peterborough going down the street,” he said. “They don’t bite, but they can open up their mouths quite wide and may try to eat a squirrel or small kitten.”

What sometimes happens when people have a snake for a pet, Algar said, is they see it in the pet store and it’s only a foot long. But as the snake continues to grow it requires food from sources that may not be appealing to the owner.

A five-foot snake would likely eat mice, Algar said, and if it grew to seven feet is would get food from sources such as frozen rats or rabbits.

The humane society would like to see the python returned to its owners, under the conditions of a permit, Algar said.

The snake is currently being kept at the humane society, but since their facility isn’t set up for snakes or reptiles, Algar will be contacting the Indian River Reptile Zoo to see if they can care for the snake.

Anyone who knows who the snake belongs to can contact the humane society at 745-7676.

nriva@peterboroughexaminer.com

http://www.peterboroughexaminer.com/...aspx?e=1183779

At least they had a good article written about it, regardless of having the wrong species. All too often you see these news articles Spinning things wildly out of proportion. *sigh*