Animals
27 dead snakes discovered on roadside in Wales
The animals found were packed in boxes, garbage bags and pillowcases. photo
© Rspca/PA Media/dpa
Several dead animals were discovered on Friday, packed in boxes and garbage bags. The carcasses are now to be autopsied.
27 dead snakes are in Wales was discovered on the side of a road. The animals were packed in boxes, garbage bags and pillowcases, the RSPCA said.
The longest snake measured 5.20 meters, the smallest only around 30 centimeters. Presumably these are mainly constrictor snakes. It is unclear whether some of the reptiles were still alive when they were packaged. Four dead white chickens, which may have been intended for food, were also dumped. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) appealed to the public for information about the case.
“I think I can honestly say this is one of the worst things I’ve had to deal with in 25 years,” said RSPCA expert Keith Hogben. It is a sad thought that the snakes have suffered for a long time. Autopsies on some reptiles should now help to determine the cause of death.
The animals were discovered on Friday in the town of Waterston in southwest Wales. The community collected them and took them to an animal rescue center. There it was examined whether the snakes were all dead or whether some had simply fallen into cold paralysis. “Unfortunately, after attempts to warm several of them, it was discovered that they were all dead,” the statement continued.