TIMES-UNION (Albany, New York) 23 August 07 Shelter takes in pair of slithering guests - Two runaway pythons picked up in Albany; owner of one located (Paul Grondahl)

Menands: With two large Burmese pythons in custody for the past month, the animal shelter off Broadway has had a touch of Rangoon along the Hudson.

The pair of exotic snakes -- one a hefty 8-footer and the other a 4-foot albino -- were picked up roaming the streets of Albany a week apart.

The 8-foot python was spotted crossing Washington Avenue in the early evening on July 22. It was hungry.

It had slithered nearly three blocks from its owner's home on North Allen Street on the edge of the city's Pine Hills neighborhood. Somebody called police.

"I'm sure an 8-foot snake crossing Washington Avenue would draw attention from both motorists and pedestrians," said Detective James Miller, a spokesman for the Department of Public Safety.

An animal control officer captured the snake and brought it to the Menands animal shelter, run by the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society.

The 60-pound reptile with a killer grip reportedly gave the animal control officer a bit of a struggle.

"We don't deal with snakes on a regular basis," Miller said.

The next day, the snake's owner, John DeShaw, 43, called authorities to report the python missing. He said he didn't know how it managed to escape from its pen on the second floor. DeShaw was concerned because the snake hadn't eaten in two weeks.

"Snakes that big that are hungry, lost and in a foul mood can be nasty," said state wildlife pathologist Ward Stone, who spoke with the animal control officer.

Burmese pythons are not venomous and are considered generally docile, but their constrictive powers could be lethal, Stone said. "It's very unlikely to happen, but a snake that size could ingest a baby or toddler and certainly a small dog or cat," he said.

DeShaw was charged with failure to exercise proper care and safekeeping of the snake, a misdemeanor, and with not having a state Department of Environmental Conservation permit, which carries the penalty of a fine.

The albino python was snaking along a sidewalk off Livingston Avenue in the city's West Hill neighborhood and picked up by an animal control officer on July 29 after a passer-by reported it.

The owner has not been identified, Miller said.

Both snakes have been kept in cages at the Menands animal shelter for more than three weeks. Tuesday was feeding day. The albino devoured three mice. The 8-foot snake, nicknamed Jigger, made quick work of three rats.

"He's a very big boy," said Derrick Von Fricken, a technician who's been caring for Jigger and the albino, although the sex has not been determined of either snake.

Stray snakes are rarely brought to the shelter, although they take in a couple of "surrenders" each year from owners who can no longer care for them.

"It was strange to get two pythons a week apart," said Von Fricken, who owns two boa constrictors himself.

A local animal educator is interested in adopting the albino python.

DeShaw has been working with DEC officials to get a permit, which costs $175. He's hoping to pick up his 8-foot python Thursday.

He'll have to pay $480 in boarding fees to the shelter and a fine of up to $250 to the state.

Von Fricken will miss his two Burmese charges. "I've come to like them both," he said.

Tina Murray, the shelter's director of operations, has been a reluctant caretaker.

"I'll be happy when they're back where they're supposed to be," she said. "I've admired them ... from a distance."
Two runaway pythons picked up in Albany; owner of one located

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