Pair found guilty of animal cruelty in Brantford motel pythons case

A man and a woman who were charged last yearafter about 40 pythons were found at a Brantford, Ont., motel havebeen found guilty of animal cruelty.

Guy Boisseault and Cynthia Csomos of Brantford were convicted ofcausing distress to an animal, failing to provideadequate water,and failing to provide necessary care.

Boisseault and Csomos did not appear for their court date lastweek and were fined $1,000 each and ordered to pay$637.50 inrestitution to the Brant County SPCA.

SPCA officers were called to assist Brantford police lastAug. 15when several totes containing ball pythons werediscovered at theBell City Motel.

The snakes ranged in size from 40 centimetres to 1 1/2 metres inlength and several were very dehydrated, andsuffering from heatexhaustion and fatigue.

Boisseault and Csomos are prohibited from living with, caring for, or owning any animal for 10 years and are required toinformthe Ontario SPCA seven days before a change of address.

Owning a python is illegal in Brantford as it contravenes thelocal animal control bylaw.