Two RSPCA officers had a surprise when they were called out to snakes that didn’t turn out to be quite what they expected.
Inspector Jan Edwards went to Copse Close, in Fleet, Hampshire, after a resident reported a stray snake in the building.
“The woman spotted the snake in the communal hallway of her block of flats…and said it had slithered up the wall…” Jan said.
“I went down to help and, when I arrived, it quickly became clear that it wasn’t an escaped pet snake – but a child’s plastic toy! I think someone may have been playing a prank on the poor woman. She had been so frightened that she hadn’t left her flat!”
Jan has now adopted the toy as her van mascot.
On the same day, in a separate incident more than 200 miles north, RSPCA animal collection officer Jessica Pierce was called to Arran Gardens in Manchester after the caller said they had found two snakes in his bedroom.
Jessica said: “It’s not unusual for us to be called out to collect escaped snakes who have snuck into a stranger’s home looking for warmth and shelter…
“However, when I arrived I quickly established that the snakes were in fact a piece of material! I’m really glad they called us for help – we would rather be safe than sorry.”
