850 snakes found in garage of New York animal-control officer [View all]

[cali]

An animal-control officer had hundreds of snakes, including two 6-foot (1.8-meter) Burmese pythons, at his home, where he ran an illegal side business selling them, authorities said Thursday.

There were 850 snakes worth half a million dollars in a detached garage at the Shirley home of Richard Parrinello, including the Burmese pythons, which are illegal in New York state, officials said.

"There is a reason why Burmese pythons are illegal," said Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross, citing the deaths of two young boys in New Brunswick, Canada, who were killed by an African rock python while they slept last month.

Gross said Burmese pythons can grow to 30 feet (9 meters) long and are "an accident waiting to happen.

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http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2013/0921/850-snakes-found-in-garage-of-New-York-animal-control-officer