Neighbours in Chilwell were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief as a missing 8ft python was found safe and well. The yellow reptile, named Lavender, had not been seen for almost two weeks after disappearing from its home in Blandford Road on July 13.
The incident had caused concern among people living in the area but the pet was found in a neighbour's garden on Monday, July 25. People in the surrounding area have spoken of their relief after police confirmed the news.
Resident Jen Hamilton said she is glad the missing snake has been found. The 29 year old said: “I’ve not been that stressed, when I first heard about it I was like 'oh my god this is crazy’, it was pretty intense.
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“We’re glad that it’s found, more for the wellbeing of the snake and for the owner to have it back. We’re glad that it had been found, we weren't too anxious about it, we know it’s not dangerous.”
Another local resident, Chris Darvey, 53, who works at East Midlands Airport, said the community would be relieved to know the snake is found. Mr Darvey added: “I used to keep a snake, a corn snake, it’s not as big as a python. It’s not a venomous snake, they just bite.
"However, I’ve got a dog and rabbits and there was concern that it might get hungry and go for them. I don’t think it would have ventured away from home, it would have known where the food would be. The community would be relieved about it, it’s a snake and some people don’t understand snakes.”
Another resident, Roy Mak, who is 40 years old, said he is happy for Lavender's owner. Mr Mak said: “I feel happy for the owner, I haven’t seen the snake, just the picture on Facebook, I thought it was quite lovely, the colour. But if I see it in real life it might be scary. It looked very small and cute in the picture. I can’t say it's a relief as it didn’t bother me, just happiness for the owner.”
Dave Watts, who is 32, said that he was looking for the snake in his garden with his two children. Mr Watts said: “We’ve got two young kids that enjoyed the story of trying to find it, we had to search the garden for the snake.
“We thought it would be fun to look in the garden for the yellow snake, we’ve got some yellow courgettes that from a distance looked like the snake. Our three year old goes to the local school and they knew about it and were looking for it on the grounds. It’s all good, we were not too concerned, it’s not that dangerous. They were concerned it was pinched, it’s positive it was found.”
Sergeant Heather Harding, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “The missing snake has now been found and is safely back in the care of its owner. Thank you to everyone for their support and sharing the appeal while we worked to find the reptile.”
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “It’s great to hear that this snake has been reunited with their owner. Unfortunately, we do get lots of calls about snakes who have escaped or gone missing especially as the temperatures rise and snakes become more active.
“We would urge all pet snake owners to be extra vigilant at this time of year, invest in an enclosure suitable for the particular species and make sure that the enclosure is kept secure - and locked if necessary - when unattended.
“If anyone loses a snake there are a number of lost and found pet websites where details can be logged, including PetsLocated and Animal Search UK. It is possible to microchip snakes and the RSPCA would recommend that owners ask their exotics vet to do this, so that snakes can be easily reunited if lost and found.
“If anyone finds a snake they believe is non-native the RSPCA’s advice is to keep a safe distance, monitor the snake and call a local reptile charity for help, or the charity’s helpline on 0300 1234 999. For more information on what to consider before adopting a snake, visit the RSPCA’s website: www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/other.”
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