snakes n shoes n shrimpin

A real-life Egyptian cobra guards a pair of ruby- sapphire- and diamond-encrusted sandals by designer Rene Caovilla at Harrods department store London.

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Mon Sep 10, 11:15 AM ET



LONDON (AFP) - To their high society owners, a pair of haute couture shoes can be a precious thing.

But to guard a 62,000 pound (120,000 dollar) pair of ruby- sapphire- and diamond-encrusted Rene Caovilla sandals at their London launch, retailer Harrods went to extreme lengths: bringing in a live Egyptian cobra to patrol the shoe counter.

Whether hiring a poisonous snake is, strictly speaking, the most effective means of guarding precious footwear might be a moot point with security experts.

But it makes for a pretty effective photo opportunity.

A spokeswoman for Harrods admitted that the cobra had been hired strictly for Monday’s launch of the shoe collection.

"The snake has now been returned to its owner," she said.

So no need to fear snake bites at the shoe counter, then.

"Not unless you're a burglar," the spokeswoman said.

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AND

Accused mugger licks woman's toes
Mon Sep 10, 5:49 PM ET

ST. PAUL - Police said a man who robbed a woman of her keys and cell phone then took off her shoes and licked her toes. Commander Kevin Casper said the attack was "weird sexual behavior."

The 24-year-old woman was leaving work around 1 a.m. Saturday when the 27-year-old man approached her and demanded her keys and phone. After that he removed her shoes.

Police say the woman was not hurt.

Police arrested the man a few minutes later about four blocks away. The woman identified the suspect and police were able to recover her keys and phone.

The man is in custody and has not yet been formally charged.

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Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press, http://www.twincities.com
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