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Police: Man sent ex a live python, searched 'what is stalking' online

By Ben Hooper
A Wisconsin man was arrested after allegedly sending his ex-girlfriend a live ball python along with a threatening note. Screenshot: WITI-TV
A Wisconsin man was arrested after allegedly sending his ex-girlfriend a live ball python along with a threatening note. Screenshot: WITI-TV

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ELKHART, Wis., Aug. 26 (UPI) -- A Wisconsin man is facing a stalking charge after he allegedly mailed a live ball python to his ex-girlfriend.

The Sheboygan County District Attorney's Office said Eric Burrows, 37, of Elkhart Lake, made numerous threatening phone calls and emails to his ex-girlfriend and even sent threatening letters to her employer and apartment complex.

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The threats culminated Aug. 18 with the delivery of a suspicious package to the woman's apartment complex, the district attorney's office said.

Authorities X-rayed the package and discovered it contained a live ball python and a note reading, "Surprise you lying [expletive]. Enjoy, this is who you are. Now do you care."

The district attorney's office said an Aug. 22 search of Burrows' cellphone discovered he had done internet searches for the woman's apartment complex, as well as for phrases including "what is stalking a person," "how do you know if you are stalking someone," and "warning signs of stalking behavior."

Burrows is facing one count of stalking/domestic abuse. He is due back in court Sept. 21.

"It's a little upsetting just to know that people treat reptiles like disposable animals," reptile sanctuary owner Heather Pekrul-Gulig told WITI-TV.

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"They actually will curl up into a ball instead of striking at someone so they're really, very, very docile which makes them popular in the pet trade," Pekrul-Gulig said.

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