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Man Arrested For Animal Torture After Reportedly Biting Python

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – In a jailhouse interview with CBS13 on Friday, the man accused of taking two bites out of a python snake the day before says he has no recollection of it and that he's been an alcoholic "for a long time."

"I feel horrible as hell about it. If I can get out of here I'd like to pay for (the snake's owner's) pet bills," 54-year-old David Senk said in a Sacramento County Main Jail interview with CBS13's Derek Shore.

Senk, who had two black eyes and bruised up face, expressed shock when told of what he's accused of doing and seeing a picture of the wounded python. He said he had blacked out after a day of drinking and couldn't remember anything from Thursday.

"It's bizarre," Senk said. "How the hell did it get into my hands in the first place is what I'm wondering."

"I get drunk and I get crazy," he added.

Sacramento police officers were called to a home in the 3600 block of Marysville Boulevard just before 6:30 Thursday evening.

When they arrived, they found Senk with blood on his face. While talking to Senk, a witness hailed officers and told them Senk had just taken two large bites out of their live python.

Animal Control was called to come and care for the injured python. The three-and-half foot snake had emergency surgery and is expected to recover after 15 stitches sealed the wound. The bites cracked three ribs and tore through a muscle.

"I've never seen anybody biting a reptile or any other animal and taking a chunk out of it," said Ricardo Gaitan of Sacramento City Animal Services.

Senk was arrested and booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on one count of felony animal torture. His bail has been set at $10,000.

"I'm not to fond about snakes, but I try not to bite them," Senk said from the jail. "It's the other way around usually, they bite me."

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