Unexpected passenger: Snake sneaks into grill of vehicle in Franklin Township
When officers arrived, they located the python but could not immediately reach it. They had to break off the bumper.
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A 3-foot ball python was safely removed after it decided to hitch a ride in a vehicle in Franklin Township.
On Monday, police were called to a home on Oakland Avenue after receiving a report that a snake had become trapped in the grill of a vehicle.
“My heart was actually just pounding," said Aiyana Hudson, of Franklin Township, who owns the car. "It was so many thoughts. At that point, I was really upset. I’ve had so many issues with this car recently.”
When officers arrived, they located the python but could not immediately reach it. They had to break off the bumper.
“I was thinking, maybe a little garden snake stuck in there, we’d be able to just pull it out and everything would be fine," said Franklin Township Police Officer Lisseth Villacis.
“It’s a very chill little guy," said Franklin Township Police Officer Alex Adkins. "I think that kind of eased my mind, even though I was sweating profusely - and it wasn’t that warm out! I was nervous.”
Adkins named the python - appropriately - "Monty."
Officers were eventually able to remove the snake from the car. It was then transported to the Franklin Township Animal Shelter. It is unknown where the python came from or how it ended up in the vehicle.
“People will abandon their pets," said Katie Nordhaus, of Franklin Township Animal Control. "If he stayed out there through the winter, he probably would not have survived. So, it’s actually good that we found him now. My assumption is that because it’s getting cooler at night, it found a warmer spot. They may have just come home, and he found a warm spot to curl up in and he hung out there.”
News 12 is told Monty is healthy - and will soon be available for adoption.
“Releasing an exotic animal into the wild is not only illegal but also poses a threat to native species and pets,” Franklin Township Public Safety Director Lloyd Fredericks said. “Anyone who has a pet snake they no longer able to or willing to care for is urged to contact the Franklin Township Animal Shelter to surrender the animal.”
