Drivers on a quiet stretch of County Highway Z, just north of Hillside School in Iowa County, got an unexpected and unsettling sight on Thursday: a large dead snake lying on the roadside. The animal, which is not native to the area, sparked an investigation by the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office and rattled more than a few passing motorists. Local crews, including members of the Arena Fire Department, were called in to help remove the carcass from the shoulder.
According to FOX6 News Milwaukee, deputies said the snake had likely been kept in captivity before someone dumped it along County Highway Z. The sheriff’s office called the way it was left "concerning" and said investigators are now working to identify the owner. The outlet reported that investigators publicly thanked Arena Fire Chief Todd Pinkham and others who assisted at the scene.
WISN 12 Milwaukee detailed how photos shared from the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office social feed show the snake stretched out along the roadside, measuring several feet in length. Those images quickly drew local attention and fueled speculation about where the animal came from. Authorities have asked anyone with information to contact the sheriff’s office.
Investigation and tip line
Investigators with the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office are asking residents to come forward with any tips and provided a direct contact number: 608-930-9500. Deputies say they do not yet know how the snake ended up on the road and are treating the discovery as an open investigation while they work to identify the animal’s owner, according to FOX6 News Milwaukee.
How Wisconsin regulates captive wildlife
State rules lay out how captive wild animals can be possessed, moved and housed, including certain exotic reptiles. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources notes that Chapter 169 of the state statutes, along with related administrative rules, sets licensing, reporting and enclosure standards. Counties and municipalities can add their own restrictions on ownership. The DNR also points out that additional permits or import rules may apply through the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and federal agencies, particularly for certain species and interstate transport.
Why neighbors were alarmed
Officials say the snake’s non-native status and the way it was abandoned on a public roadside raised red flags for both drivers and animal-welfare advocates. As WISN 12 Milwaukee reported, the sheriff’s office turned to its social media feed to post photos of the carcass while the investigation continues. Authorities again urged that anyone with information call the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office at 608-930-9500.
