MASON CITY, Iowa
A city magistrate in Mason City has fined a local man $65 for allowing his pet snake to be on the loose at the Mason City Holiday Inn earlier this month.
Police say 25-year-old Michael Salo permitted his 5-year-old bull python to be at large in a hallway without control or supervision on May 1. He was charged under the city animal control ordinance.
Hotel manager Brandy Smith Branstad says employees noticed the snake early in the morning and notified authorities. The incident caused no disruption for patrons, she said.
Branstad says Salo was a guest at the hotel, but his snake was not.
She says Salo was apologetic about the incident.