A massive snake wrapped itself around a Pennsylvania man’s neck, prompting responding officers to shoot the pet in the head, police said.
The huge reptile, estimated to be at least 15 feet long, latched onto its 28-year-old owner’s neck Wednesday afternoon at a Vogelsville home, Upper Macungie Township police said.
“It was a very dire situation,” Lt. Peter Nikischer told The Post. “I have to give credit to the officers. There was no hesitation and they responded and did what they had to do.”
Two police officers went to the man’s home after receiving a report of someone in cardiac arrest while a large snake was wrapped around his neck. A relative at the home is believed to have called for help.
The man was unresponsive and on the floor with the midsection of his huge pet wrapped tightly around his neck, Nikischer said.
Cops responded to the man’s home Wednesday in the 1400 block of Church Street in Vogelsville, Pennsylvania. Fox29
But the “very large” snake’s head was far enough away from the man to allow the officer to get a clear shot without risking further injury to its owner. The reptile was shot once in the head but got away, Nikischer said.
Cops were then able to pull the man to safety before paramedics began treating him. He was rushed to a hospital, but his condition was unclear early Thursday, police said.
The pet later died from the single gunshot wound. Nikisher said he wasn’t sure what type of snake it was or how the reptile attached itself to the man’s neck.
“It wasn’t like the officers had an opportunity to stop and ask questions,” he said. “The call came in as a cardiac arrest, so they had to move. There was really no time to establish the circumstances. These, who are [answers] we don’t know yet.”
Several other snake enclosures were found at the man’s home, WTXF reported.
Police had not been notified of the man’s death as of Thursday morning, according to Nikischer, who said he believed he had survived. Paramedics used life-saving measures when they responded to the residence Wednesday.
“I can’t praise their actions enough,” the veteran said. “Nineteen years as a cop, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen anything like this with a snake.”
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