Hundreds of snakes, many dead, found in California house

[jsr]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/29/us-usa-snakes-california-idUSBREA0S27I20140129

Hundreds of snakes, many dead, found in California house
By Tori Richards
SANTA ANA, California Wed Jan 29, 2014 6:18pm EST

(Reuters) - Hundreds of snakes and rodents were found on Wednesday in the home of a Southern California elementary school teacher after neighbors complained of a stench from the house, police said.

The teacher, William Buchman, 53, was arrested on suspicion of felony animal cruelty, said Santa Ana police Corporal Anthony Bertagna, who added that the snakes were all believed to be pythons and many were dead.

Police said Buchman, who teaches sixth grade at a Newport Beach elementary school, had told them his intent was to breed the snakes but that his collection grew out of hand and he was unable to care properly for the reptiles.

Police called it a case of animal hoarding.

[libodem]

1. Poor creatures

But for the mess and the smell.

(((Involuntary visceral reaction.)))