Authorities were met with an unexpected surprise when they discovered a large boa constrictor in a vacant home in Erie County earlier this month, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The DEC was called to the scene around midnight on August 2nd after Lackawanna Police requested assistance with a large snake of unknown species that had been found in a vacant home by an unknown individual.
Upon arrival, a DEC officer took possession of the reptile, which was later identified as a boa constrictor. The snake was then transported to an animal hospital for evaluation. The DEC has confirmed that a reptile rescue group will be responsible for finding the boa constrictor a suitable new home.
The discovery of such a large snake in a vacant home has raised questions about how it ended up there and whether it was intentionally left behind or escaped from its previous owner. Boa constrictors are not native to the region and are typically found in tropical climates. It is unclear how the snake came to be in Erie County.
The DEC reminds the public that owning exotic animals, such as boa constrictors, requires proper permits and responsible care. Releasing these animals into the wild or abandoning them is not only illegal but also poses a risk to both the animal and the community.
The DEC encourages anyone with information about the origin of the snake to come forward and assist in their investigation.
No further information is available at this time - Large Boa Constrictor Rescued from Vacant Home.