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WCPO (Cinncinati, Ohio) 16 December 06 Man Strangled By Pet Python

A Camp Dennison man has been killed by his pet python.

Investigators say 48-year-old Ted Drees was strangled by his 14-foot python early this morning.

Witnesses say it took three Hamilton County sheriff's deputies to release the snake from around his neck.

The victim's mother can't believe something he loved so much could take his life.

"He had this one out all the time. He reached in and the snake grabbed him around the neck, and couldn't get the snake off," said Elaine Drees, the victim's mother.

Deputies arrived and discovered the snake coiled around the victim's neck.

Humane society officials say the snake, now wrapped in a blanket inside a cage at the Hamilton County SPCA, squeezed the life out of Drees.

"He just loved them. He could go hunting and find a snake just like that," said his mother.

She says he was an outdoors man who loved snakes and that he had handled reptiles since he was a boy.

The 14-foot muscular snake wrapped around Drees' neck and would not release.

"It took three paramedics to get the snake off," said his mother. "By that time it squeezed him and there wasn't any hope."

Snake experts say the description of the way the snake attacked Drees is consistent with how snakes kill their prey -- when the victim tries to take a breath, the snake's strong muscles contract.

"Kind of like any other python, it takes care of its prey by wrapping around it, and as the animal [victim] breathes out, it will squeeze tighter and tighter," said Andy Muhlman, of the SPCA.

Muhlman says the choice of the pet is a matter of personal preference, but says he thinks regulation of the exotic animals is on the way.

"The house of representatives has a bill before them that address exotic animals as pets," Muhlman told 9News.

The veteran animal control officer says this is the first time he's seen a reptile such as this kill a human.

Many people keep these animals as pets, but this behavior doesn't take him completely by surprise.

"These are wild animals. You don't tame them all that much," said Muhlman.
Man Strangled By Pet Python

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