TIMES-HERALD (Port Huron, Michigan) 06 October 09 Python kidnapped from Port Huron festival - Owner says snake was taken Saturday from Fall Fest in city (Stephen Tait)

Shari Blashill, owner of Tigerbunny Acres Farm in Jeddo, is searching for the black, brown and gold snake, which she said was stolen.

The farm, which rescues exotic animals, takes its animals to various events throughout the area to allow children to pet them and hold them.

The python, named Snakey, was a star among the animals, Blashill said.

"He was like the favorite thing in our program for kids," she said. "The kids would stand in line to hold Snakey. He was a unique snake. He liked to snuggle."

But Blashill said Snakey was swiped at Saturday's Bridge Builders Counseling's Fall Fest.

Now she is concerned for his well-being, especially because it is starting to get cold.

"I hope whoever has him keeps him warm, dry and feeds him a mouse every week," she said. "And I hope they give him back."

Lt. Paul Reid of Port Huron police said a police report was filed regarding the stolen snake.

He said there is a "vague description of a possible suspect" but little else to go on. Reid said if anyone knows who stole the snake, to call the department at (810) 987-6688.

Reid said such a situation "is a little rare."

Blashill said her farm has more than 200 animals, ranging from parrots and chickens to miniature donkeys and an alpaca.

She said the farm goes to events throughout the area to help educate children about the animals. Until Saturday, no animal had ever been stolen.

Blashill said Saturday right before Snakey went missing, a little girl was holding the snake snuggled around her neck.

That little girl told Blashill that a woman claiming to be a volunteer approached her and said she worked for the farm and held Snakey while children petted him.

Blashill said they don't have volunteers. Blashill suspects that woman is the one who stole the snake.

In another odd circumstance, at the beginning of the event, Blashill said a man approached her and said Blashill should keep an eye on the snake because his girlfriend wanted to steal it.

Blashill said she is unsure if it was the same woman.

"It boggles the mind," she said.

But she remains optimistic: "Someone is going to talk and I'm hoping she is forced to turn it back in."
Python kidnapped from Port Huron festival

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• MI Press: Python kidnapped from festival - W von Papineäu, Wed Oct 14 17:21:44 2009