[Python] ValueError: too many values to unpack Python when creating Dictionary from a String

I am trying to create a dictionary from a string. In this case I have posted my sample code (sorry its not that clean, just hardcoded values), the first str1 works fine and is able generate a corresponding dictionary by splitting correctly ; and associating key value at = sign.

However, the second string (str5) is not working. I am assuming its because there is an extra "=" at: 1 = '< 24 hours'; 2 = '> 24 hours, <**=** 30 days';

Can you please tell me how I can resolve this issue of ignoring the = sign and continue creating the dictionary. I get the following error:

0=Blank;1=<24hours;2=>24hours,<=30days;3=>30days(i.e.,permanent)
Traceback (most recent call last):

File xmlread.py:303 in <module>
main()

File xmlread.py:299 in main
stringParseTest()

File xmlread.py:283 in stringParseTest
key, value = pair.split("=")

ValueError: too many values to unpack (expected 2)


I could try parsing it manually and not create a dictionary; however I would like to see if there is a condition I could add in there to recognize this issue. Don't know how to do that though.

What if I add an if statement to check how many times a string has been splitted.

def stringParseTest():
str1 = str("0 = Blank; 1 = Surface Device: Skin; 2 = Surface Device: Mucosal Membrane; 3 = Surface Device: Breached or Compromised Surfaces; 4 = External Communicating Device: Blood Path, Indirect; 5 = External Communicating Device: Tissue/Bone/Dentin; 6 = External Communicating Device: Circulating Blood; 7 = Implant Device: Tissue/Bone; 8 = Implant Device: Blood")

str5 = str("0 = Blank; 1 = '< 24 hours'; 2 = '> 24 hours, <= 30 days'; 3 = '> 30 days (i.e., permanent)'")


dictionary = {}

#Working string split
str1 = str1.replace(" ", "")
str1 = str1.replace("'", "")
print(str1)
for pair in str1.split(";"):
key, value = pair.split("=")
dictionary[key] = value
print(dictionary)


#Not working split
str5 = str5.replace(" ", "")
str5 = str5.replace("'", "")
print(str5)
for pair in str5.split(";"):
key, value = pair.split("=")
dictionary[key] = value
print(dictionary)

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