SLIPPERY CUSTOMER SAVED BY QUICK-THINKING HOUSING OFFICER
A PYTHON has been plucked from an empty Muir home thanks to a quick-thinking housing officer.
Tenancy Services Officer, Jamie Hogarth, was called to a house in Winsford when workers discovered the slippery customer as they changed the locks before preparing the property for new residents.
Normally native to Australian rainforests, previous residents had left their pet Jungle Carpet Python when they vacated the house a few weeks earlier.
It’ll now be found a new home after Jamie contacted Cheshire Reptile Rescue, who removed the 9ft serpent from its makeshift 'house' – an adapted wall-mounted fireplace.
“It was a very tricky and potentially dangerous situation," Jamie said.
"I called Cheshire Reptile Rescue and they very promptly removed the snake from the property.
“I’m not the biggest fan of snakes but the gentleman who came was very efficient and removed the snake to safety, so I didn’t have to worry much.
"There’s always something new in housing."
Black and gold in colour, Jungle Carpet Pythons normally enjoy the hot and humid Queensland climate – but this one evidently enjoyed Winsford as its holiday home.
The non-venomous snake is now being looked after by the Cheshire Reptile Rescue team before efforts are made to re-home the reptile, which normally grows between six and eight feet long.
Greg Palmer (pictured), of Cheshire Reptile Rescue in Middlewich said: “The snake appears to be in good health despite being left alone for between four and five weeks.
“It had been kept in a wall mounted electric fireplace which had been gutted – but these aren’t at all suitable for snakes.
“It’s now been fed and watered and we’ll look to rehome it.”
You can learn more about Cheshire Reptile Rescue here: Home - Cheshire Reptile Rescue