'Sad situation': Large dead snake found dumped in Iowa County

IOWA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A large, non-native snake found dead along a rural roadway in Iowa County is raising questions about exotic pet ownership and proper animal care.

The Iowa County Sheriff’s Office said the snake was discovered Thursday along County Highway Z, north of Hillside School.

Deputies said the unusual sight caused alarm among passing drivers.

Experts said the animal was not native to the area and had likely been kept as a pet.

“That was a really sad situation, that was a huge Burmese python that was clearly someone's pet,” Bill Stewart, owner of WPS Reptiles, said.

Stewart said reptiles like Burmese pythons require specific environments and long-term care.

“These snakes, and all reptiles as pets, are very dependent on their environments to survive,” he said.

According to authorities, the snake died after a medical emergency at a local veterinary clinic and was intended to be buried. Instead, it was left along the roadway.

Experts said improper disposal can create additional concerns.

“The animal had a medical emergency and they didn't say what. If it was pathogens or parasites that killed the animal, leaving it by the street side, those could pass on to other reptiles in our native environment,” Cindy Steinle, of Small Scale Reptile Rescue, said.

Steinle said there are more responsible ways to handle a deceased pet.

“If you can't afford to do things like cremate your pets, the vet won't do it for free. Your local animal control can help with disposal as well,” she said.

She also emphasized the importance of proper burial practices.

“If you decide you want to bury your pets, please bury them deep. We've had a lot of flooding. If you only go a foot or two down, with the way things are flooding, we might see your pets come up again, unfortunately,” Steinle said.

Experts said reptiles can be rewarding pets, but they require careful planning and responsibility throughout their lives.

“It passed away and they just irresponsibly disposed of it and happened to scare a lot of people,” Steinle said.

The sheriff’s office said the snake’s owner has since come forward, and deputies are continuing to follow up on the situation.