Twenty-seven snakes and four chickens abandoned in Pembrokeshire
A community news update from your area
The RSPCA received a call on Friday (March 8) about animals discovered at Green Lane, Waterston, between Neyland and Milford Haven. The animals, including snakes found in boxes, bin bags and a pillowcase, were collected by the council and taken to Greenacres Animal Rescue that evening.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Ellie West advised the rescue centre, and after attempts to warm up some of the snakes, they were sadly found to be dead. RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Rohan Barker collected the animals on Saturday (March 9) and took them to RSPCA Llys Nini Animal Centre.
The RSPCA is investigating to determine the origin of the snakes. RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben, who examined the animals, expressed his sadness, stating that the snakes, ranging from one to 17 feet in length, were in various stages of decomposition.
He said: "I believe all the snakes are of a constrictor type. There were also four dead white chickens found alongside the snakes, which 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, and we’d like to thank them along with the council, Greenacres Animal Rescue and the RSPCA Llys Nini Branch.”
Inspector Hogben aims to arrange post-mortems on some snakes to determine their cause of death. The RSPCA appeals for information and dash cam/doorbell footage to aid the investigation. Those with information can contact the RSPCA Inspectorate Appeal Line at 0300 123 8018, quoting log number 01233065.
As the RSPCA marks its 200th anniversary, the charity strives to inspire a million-strong movement for animals, aiming to 'create a better world for every animal'. For details on joining the movement, visit www.rspca.org.uk/200.
