Kentucky Python With a Crush on Pet Shop Owner Is Pried Off

Police had to pry off a 20-foot python that was crushing the owner of a northern Kentucky reptile store.

Newport police told local news outlets that owner Terry Wilkens was feeding the snake on Monday morning when the 125-pound python attacked, reported The Associated Press.

Police Chief Tom Collins said Wilkens wasn't breathing when officers were trying to free him, but he did resume breathing before he was taken to a hospital. Collins says Wilkens' health appears to improving and he was even talking.

Collins said one of the two responding officers, Lt. Gregory Ripberger, knew to uncurl the snake by grabbing it from its head, eventually freeing Wilkens.

Police were working with animal control to determine if the python would need to be removed from the shop.


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