"Swindon"

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9th March 2004

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DATE: ANIMAL: LOCATION:
18th February 2004 BOA CONSTRICTOR West Swindon

 

West Swindon
BOA CONSTRICTOR
A Mystery still surrounds a boa constrictor which was found on a bus
The owner ofthe reptile , has still not been traced, and they have until the weekend to come forward or the snake will remain in Surrey, so if your out there and reading this, you'd better get yer skates on.

The Boa, believed to have come from Park South, was found in a taped up, white polystyrene box, it had been left on the number 55 bus, which calls at Chippenham, Lyneham, Wootton Bassett, West Swindon and the town centre, on Sunday afternoon. The box was handed in at the Stagecoach office overnight, but still no one had come forward to claim it by Monday morning. The Stagecoach staff had made the startling discovery after checking inside the box as a security measure.

A rather faint address found on the box led to a home in Park South, and they were told by the former owner of that address that the snake had then gone to a 15-year-old boy in Penhill who had apparently sold it on for £25.


Stephanie Daly an RSPCA inspector said the black and brown boa, which can crush prey between in its powerful coils, wasn't poisonous but may have been a treat if it had encountered a young child or someones pet. She said: "The snake is now in a reptile rescue centre in Aldershot. Reptile experts there said it is a fully-grown, male boa, and estimate it is aged between five and 15-years-old. "It was slightly dehydrated when we found it but is now recovering at the centre and doing well. We are still trying to trace the owner and would appreciate any information. "The lady at the rescue centre has just lost her own snake to old age so if we haven't heard from the Swindon owner within seven days the snake will stay in Surrey.
If you have any information that might help the RSPCA trace it's owner you can call them on 08705 555999 or even The Evening Advertiser newsdesk on 01793 528144.

The nine-foot "Common Red Tail Boa Constrictor," which was left on the Swindon bus is doing well in its new Surrey home at present.

(Source: Swindon Evening Advertiser)
18th February 2004

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