A 13-foot boa constrictor wrapped itself around its owner's neck and killed the man in his home, authorities said.
Ted Dres, 48, was discovered face down Saturday morning inside the snake's cage. An acquaintance called police.
The snake continued to strangle Dres until deputies arrived at the Symmes Township home, according to a statement released by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies worked with an animal-protection group to remove the snake. Medics tried to revive Dres, but he died at Bethesda North Hospital about 1:45 a.m.
"People who keep these type of animals as pets should know exactly what they're doing and what they're capable of," said Andy Mahlman, spokesman for the Cincinnati Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Mahlman said he has seen photographs of reptile owners posing with snakes coiled around their necks.
"They don't realize they could be a few seconds away from death," he said.
Dres' snake will be kept at the society's shelter until further directions from police or Dres' family, Mahlman said.
The incident is still under investigation. The snake is in the custody of the SPCA.
