A man in Denver, NC said he was so distraught over the death of his 17 year old pet snake that he shot the cabinet that contained his Dale Earnhardt collection.

How the snake died, however, is up for debate. Gary Wayne Ericcson says he shot the snake after it was dead, however, he was arrested Sunday and charged with killing it himself.

From the Charlotte Observer:

Gary Wayne Ericcson, 46, was arrested Sunday on multiple charges, including cruelty to animals, after the shooting at his home. He was released from custody after posting a $20,000 bond. But Ericcson says the snake, which he said was named Anonymous, had died before the shooting.

He told NBC Charlotte that he couldn't bury the snake because "the other animals would get him." Ericcson said that he and his wife can't have children, so their pets, which include two cats and a dog, are their children.

There has been no word on the status of his Earnhardt collection.