Python, boa from city home head for zoo

Police are searching for a man
presumed to be the creatures’ owner.

YOUNGSTOWN — The snakes taken from a West Side house — a 141⁄2-foot Burmese python and 3-foot boa constrictor — are not up for adoption.

The serpents removed Wednesday by a wildlife expert are at an undisclosed location pending transport to a zoo, said Dave Nelson, a Mahoning County deputy dog warden.

A black chow dog and the snakes were found Wednesday at 36 N. Lakeview Ave. when the property owner checked on the place — that was supposed to be vacant — in preparation for selling it.

Nelson said the chow, a male, is at the dog pound and can be adopted if the owner doesn’t claim him by today.

A calico cat and two kittens were left at the house to be rescued by Animal Charity, the county’s humane agency on South Avenue, he said.

Nelson said the python, judging by its fecal matter, had eaten kittens.

The python is about 6 years old, weighs roughly 65 pounds and probably female because of a quiet temperament. Nelson said he’s never seen one as large locally, adding that the snake is big enough to kill a child.

Police who found mail at the house in the name of Joseph Barker are searching for him. The homeowner told police that he rented the house to a woman who moved out in November 2007, adding that she had a male friend staying with her.

Court records show a Barker, 34, is wanted on a receiving stolen property warrant issued by Mahoning County Area Court in Austintown in October 2007. The property stolen is a vehicle.

A stolen and stripped Mercedes found in a garage at the Lakeview house is being checked for fingerprints, said Capt. Kenneth Centorame, chief of detectives. He said it was stolen Dec. 16, 2007, from Sun Auto Sales on Glenwood Avenue.

Nelson said Barker could face charges related to the creatures kept at the Lakeview house after city Prosecutor Jay Macejko reviews the case.

Nelson said a man who purported to be Barker’s brother called Thursday and wanted to claim the snakes. The dog warden said he heard an expletive after telling the man to contact the homeowner, pay for the $5,000 or so damage done to the house, and then ask about the snakes.