Snake Owner Must Pay For Pet Boa’s Feast

With the wisdom of Solomon and the wit of an ex-mayor, freshly-minted TV Judge Edward I. Koch awarded $1,500 Thursday to the owner of Babette - the California chihuahua that became a snack for a runaway boa constrictor.

The decision, reached during a taping of “The People’s Court,” was a partial victory for dog owner Flossie Torgerson, whose tiny pet pooch was eaten Aug. 9 by Angus Johnson’s 7-1/2-foot snake. Torgerson had sought $5,000 for Babette’s value and emotional distress.

“I awarded her the value of the dog,” explained Koch, who has replaced Judge Joseph Wapner on a new version of the syndicated show. “Under California law, there is no compensation for bereavement over a dead dog. She was not entitled to that money.”

Johnson had countersued for defamation of character. Both sides agreed to let Koch settle the dispute, and were flown to Manhattan by the show for some videotaped justice.

The decision closes the case that Koch’s show dubbed “I Can’t Believe She Ate the Whole Thing.” The new “People’s Court” debuts Sept. 8, and the snake-bites-dog tale will air the first week.

Koch concluded that Johnson was guilty of negligence for opening the door of his San Fernando Valley home on Aug. 7 and letting his snake - Alissss - slither out.

Further, Koch ruled, Johnson was at fault for failing to “accurately alert his neighbors” by posting signs or notifying authorities.

The snake, which ordinarily enjoyed a monthly meal of three two-pound rats, appeared on Torgerson’s patio two days later and swallowed her dog. It was subsequently captured and taken to an animal shelter; Johnson has until Saturday to find Alissss a new home outside Los Angeles.

At one point in the trial, Koch observed that it was fortunate the runaway snake hadn’t come across a small child.