code: def _strip_metachars(val):
      
      ignore_metachar = r'(.+)([/-].+)'
      match = re.search(ignore_metachar, str(val))
      if match:
          left_half = match.group(1)
          return left_half
      return val
docs: When a filter uses a / or - in the search, only the elements
      name and comment field is searched. This can cause issues if
      searching a network element, i.e. 1.1.1.0/24 where the /24 portion
      is not present in the name and only the elements ipv4_network
      attribute. If exact_match is not specified, strip off the /24
      portion. Queries of this nature should instead use a kw filter
      of: ipv4_network='1.1.1.0/24'.