Daniel Smith, 28, was drunk when he broke into the Scales Aquarium and Reptile store in South Street by smashing a glass panel about 9pm on October 20 last year.

Smith, who used a white singlet to obscure his face, snatched a 2.5-metre eastern carpet python named Ringo from the premises.

He then made his way with the python to an address in Charles Street, where he attempted to hide the snake under a bucket.

Wodonga police apprehended the father of two hours later when they responded to an unrelated disturbance at the house.

When asked why he had taken the snake, Smith said “I don’t know, just being stupid”.

Solicitor Mario Vaccaro told the court Smith had previously held a snake handler’s licence in Queensland.

David Castley, of Scales Aquarium and Reptile store, with 'Ringo'. PICTURE: Peter Merkesteyn.

Mr Vaccaro said Smith was drinking a lot of alcohol at the time of the offence and ended up being bitten by the snake.

Magistrate Paul Smith said it was an “unusual burglary”.

"I've never seen anyone steal a python before,” he said.

“It seems justice was administered by the python.”

Smith was convicted and placed on a community-based order for nine months, with a condition to do 60 hours service.

Joshua Kelley, from Scales Aquarium and Reptile, said Ringo had fully recovered and was back in her rightful place as the store mascot.

Owner and store co-owner Dave Castley has had Ringo for eight years and named her because of her distinctive markings.

“It’s hard to gauge what sort of impact you have in the community but as soon as people heard she had been taken we had lots of people ringing us up and coming in to see us and ask about her,” Mr Kelley said yesterday.