New York DEC relocates 80-pound Burmese python owned illegally in New Hartford

Casey Pritchard, Utica Observer Dispatch

A complaint about a large snake in New Hartford led to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation relocating an 80-pound Burmese python that was illegally owned.

Environmental Conservation Police Officer Jeff Hull responded to the complaint, with the complainant not believing the snake to be legal. After seeing a picture, Hull identified the snake as a Burmese python by its arrowhead-like design on its head, officials said.

Burmese pythons are illegal to possess in New York without a permit.

The snake was found in good health, measuring 13 feet, 2 inches, and weighing 80 pounds. It was seized and donated to Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo in Rome, which has the required permits to house the snake.

Environmental Conservation Police Officer Jeff Hull poses with the Burmese python
Environmental Conservation Police Officer Jeff Hull poses with the Burmese python

The owner of the snake was given tickets for possession of wildlife as a pet and for possessing dangerous wildlife without a permit.

Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: New York DEC relocates 80-pound python illegally owned in New Hartford

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