The previous sentence sounds like the research lab swallowed the marsupial. No wonder I can't get my college writing classes to use good grammar...the news people won't, either!

Thanks Goddard for your comment. I was beginning to think I was the only person on the face of the earth that has a problem with the journalists today and the lack of proper grammar they use! It is very comforting to know that someone else pays attention to their mistakes!

"PERTH, Australia (UPI) -- A thief in Western Australia made the mistake of stealing a python from a research lab that had swallowed a radio-collared marsupial, police said."

The previous sentence sounds like the research lab swallowed the marsupial. No wonder I can't get my college writing classes to use good grammar...the news people won't, either!