DILWORTH - Even the toughest of deputies were a little sqeamish when they came across a large number of snakes not native to Minnesota.

Thirty-two ball python snakes were found in a storage locker on Highway 10 near Dilworth, after deputies were called to investigate a strange odor coming out of one of the units.

Sheriff's Lieutenant Steve Landsem says it turns out all of them were dead.  The Sheriff's office called the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help identify the snakes and make sure they weren't illegal in Minnesota.  The owner, who recently moved to Dilworth from Florida, could face charges of neglect or cruelty because authorities believe at least some of the snakes were alive before they were put in storage.

Thanks to the KFGO Newsroom in Fargo for this story.

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