Man in South Carolina motel 'assaulted with python'
The species of python was not named
Police in South Carolina have arrested a man who allegedly assaulted another guest at a motel with a four-ft (1.2m) python after a row over loud music.
The alleged victim, who was not badly injured, told police he had complained about music coming from the other man's room and they had had a row.
Hours later, the man came up to him from behind, tapped his shoulder and thrust the snake in his face, he said.
He was so shaken, he added, that he had to take a three-hour shower afterwards.
Tony Smith, 29, was charged with assault and battery after the altercation, police in Rock Hill said.
The Rock Hill police incident report lists the type of weapon used in the alleged assault on Jeffery Culp, 47, as "other".
'I don't do snakes'
Mr Culp was quoted by the local Herald newspaper as saying he had a fear of snakes and had told his attacker about it earlier in his stay at the motel, where he has been awaiting housing.
"He was out there running up and down the sidewalk with it," Mr Culp said.
"I told him I don't do snakes. I'm deathly afraid of them."