And some people are just ignorant. Look at what i found on this forum while I was looking for pics of a chocolate Ball:

This guy lost his ball python for half a year in his basment and the poor thing is still down there trying to survive on problem mice and the guy is afraid its going to get big and come upstairs and attack him and his children. Heres a response:

No way man! I'm guessing when left alone to eat all he can, he must be at LEAST 12-13 feet by now...I would get your kids OUT of the house until he's found. I would also suggest the use of a bear trap. Put some raw carrots or lettuce even some chocolate, ball pythons LOVE chocolate on the trap and hope for the best.
If you do happen to find him, hope to hell he hasn't eaten any large neighbourhood dogs or small children. I would also recommend that in the future if, godforbid you decide to own another reptile, that you learn something....anything about the reptile that you own.