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Man charged after allegedly using snake to attack victim on Toronto street

In this file photo, a Burmese python is displayed. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter, File)

A man has been charged with assault with a weapon after allegedly using a snake to attack a victim in Toronto, police say.

Toronto police said the incident occurred on Wednesday at 11:50 p.m. in the Dundas Street West and Manning Avenue area. Officers said they were called to the area for reports of a man threatening people with a python.

Police said a man was walking down the street holding a live snake and approached a victim with it.

There was a physical altercation and the man allegedly used the reptile to attack the victim.

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Video circulating on social media of the incident appears to show a man swinging a snake and using it to strike a person in the middle of the street.

Police said officers arrived at the scene quickly and an individual was arrested.

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Toronto resident Laurenio Avila, 45, has been charged with assault with a weapon and causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal.

According to police, the snake was alive at the time of the incident but has since died.

— with files from Ryan Rocca

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