COOLVILLE, Ohio — An Athens County woman faces charges after administrators at a nearby elementary school complained that her pet Burmese python posed a threat to students, but she defended the animal on Wednesday, saying there was no need for concern.

Lisa Reynolds was in the front yard of her home earlier this week with her pet, a 2-year-old python named Willy, when Athens County deputies arrived and cited her for persistent disorderly conduct, 10TV's Ashleigh Barry reported.

The python is an exotic animal, but there is no state law banning it from being kept as a pet. Reynolds said complaints about the 4-foot-long snake were not new.

"Every time they think he's out here somebody calls and has a concern that their child is going to get eaten," Reynolds said.

This time the complaint came from administrators at Federal Hocking Elementary School. They were concerned because the snake was wrapped around a tree, which is right next to the school, Barry reported.

Reynolds said she takes the snake outside so that it can get fresh air and exercise. Putting the animal in the tree helps with the shedding process, she said.

"It's not like I had him wrapped around my neck and I was walking through the school," Reynolds said.

Reynolds said the snake was not a threat, and she said she was right next to the tree when deputies arrived. Even so, she was cited because she "recklessly caused inconvenience or alarm to others," Barry reported.

Reynolds said she planned to fight the citation in court on Thursday.

"He is in his tree, on my property, so there should be no problem," she said.

Phone calls seeking comment from the elementary school principal were not returned on Wednesday, Barry reported.

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