Santa Ana – After hearing complaints of a foul odor emanating from a house on the 2900 block of N. Fernwood, Animal Services enlisted the support of police in serving a search warrant of the home.
Once inside, they discovered nearly 400 pythons, most of which were dead. In addition they found numerous live mice and rats running loose all over the house.
Ball Python
Subsequently, police arrested 53-year-old William Buchman for animal cruelty. Buchman, a teacher at Mariners Elementary School in Newport Beach, had been in the sights of Animal control for nearly a year, but the investigation ramped up the past 4 months when the dead-body smell became overwhelming.
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Calgary Herald: Hundreds of living, dead pythons found in home
LATIMES: Owner arrested after nearly 400 dead pythons found
NBCLA: “God Awful Stench”