The man accused of letting his 15-foot snake escape into the wild of Sabraton did not show to his initial court date.
Shane Stevens is charged with dog and other animal at large, which carries a $500 fine. He was scheduled to appear in Morgantown Municipal Court on Wednesday morning at 8 a.m.
Municipal Judge Stephen Higgins scheduled another hearing for Stevens in September. If he does not show, a warrant will be issued for his arrest, Higgins said.
The snake, which escaped from Stevens’ truck on May 30, has yet to be found as of Wednesday, according to Morgantown Spokesperson Andrew Stacy. Stevens was arrested and arraigned on June 19.
Some people have called the snake’s escape and the subsequent snake hunt a hoax, however Stacy told The Dominion Post the incident is real and an officer reported seeing the snake that night. Stevens showed officers picture of himself with the snake.
Stacy said Stevens told police the snake was a python, but he didn’t know the exact species. In the police report, it’s referred to as a “15-foot long constricting snake.”
According to police, Stevens was transporting the snake when escaped its cage and was loose inside the vehicle. He got out of the vehicle and the snake did, too, slithering into the woods. It was last seen on a hillside near Listravia Avenue.
Volunteers, staff from Exotic Jungle Pet Superstore, officers from the Morgantown Police Department searched for the snake over multiple days following its escape. The Monongalia County Emergency Management Office even brought in a drone to assist with search.
