Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Snake the length of a fully grown giraffe dumped with 26 others by road

The discovery was described by a member of the RSPCA as ‘one of the worst things I’ve dealt with in 25 years’

George Thompson
Tuesday 12 March 2024 09:04 EDT
Comments
More than two dozen snakes, including one which is 17-foot long, have been found dead in rural Wales
More than two dozen snakes, including one which is 17-foot long, have been found dead in rural Wales (RSPCA/PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

More than two dozen snakes, including one that is 17ft (5.2m) long, have been found dead, dumped beside a road in rural Wales.

The RSPCA is appealing for information after 27 snakes and four chickens were discovered dumped at the side of a road in boxes, bin bags and pillowcases.

The snakes, which ranged in length from 1ft (1m) to 17ft (5.2m) – equivalent to the height of a fully grown giraffe – were found in Waterston, Pembrokeshire, in south-west Wales.

RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben said it was one of the worst cases he has had to deal with in 25 years.

He said: “The snakes ranged from 1ft to 17ft in length and were all in various forms of decomposition.

“I believe all the snakes are of a constrictor type.

“There were also four dead white chickens found alongside the snakes that I believe were most likely food for the larger snakes.

“I think I can honestly say this is one of the worst things I’ve dealt with in 25 years.

“It is very sad to think that these poor snakes could have been suffering for some time.

“This must have been awful for the person who found them.”

The RSPCA is appealing for information after 27 snakes and four chickens were found dumped by the side of the road in boxes, bin bags and pillowcases
The RSPCA is appealing for information after 27 snakes and four chickens were found dumped by the side of the road in boxes, bin bags and pillowcases (RSPCA/PA Wire)

Mr Hogben said he is now looking to arrange post-mortem examinations on some of the snakes, to help determine what might have caused their deaths.

The RSPCA is also carrying out inquiries to try and find where they came from.

– Anyone with information can contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018, quoting log number 01233065.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in