Owner pleads guilty in cobra’s escape

A snake collector whose escaped zebra cobra caused a frenzy for days this summer in a North Carolina neighborhood has pleaded guilty.

Christopher Gifford, 21, had been charged last month with 40 misdemeanors stemming from the venomous snake’s escape. Authorities ultimately captured it in a Raleigh neighborhood in late June.

Gifford pleaded guilty to failing to report the missing snake. The other 39 counts were dropped. He must pay $13,162, and dozens of snakes that he must relinquish will be used for anti-venom and cancer research.