A man faces charges under the City of Winnipeg's Exotic Animal By-Law after more than 50 snakes and reptiles were found in a downtown apartment suite, said police.
Officers said they were called to a building in the 300 block of Assiniboine Avenue after a 75-year-old resident found a snake, about five to six feet (152 - 182 centimetres) in length, in his bathroom on April 9.
Morley Wilson heard a noise in his bathroom and found the snake slithering up a shelf on his bathroom wall.
"It was big as my arm," said Wilson. He said he calmly closed the door and called 911.
Officers and animal services responded around 3 a.m. and the snake was secured.
An investigation found that the owner of the snake was a 33-year-old male resident in the same building. During a search of the owner's suite, officers found more than 50 additional snakes and other reptiles, said police.
"Some (snakes) described as possibly king snakes, Honduran milk snakes, a variety of pythons (and) snapping turtles," said Const. Jason Michalyshen, a spokesperson for Winnipeg police.
Officers said it's too early to tell if any of the snakes are venomous. Animal services seized at least five snakes and officials are working to determine if any are illegal breeds.
CTV News contacted the snakes' owner, but he declined an interview and said the snakes are a personal hobby.
Police said the snakes appeared well-cared for.
"There is no public safety concern here at this point, but certainly we have to investigate further," said Michalyshen.
Morley Wilson believes the snake he found must have got into his suite through the toilet.
He said he's concerned that more than 50 snakes were living in his building. He added he won't lose any sleep over it, however, but will keep his bathroom door closed.
"I take great comfort in knowing a snake would have trouble turning a door knob," said Wilson.
- with a report from CTV's Jillian Taylor
