'Toy Story' Pillowcase Full of Living Snakes Among Those Dumped Behind Fire Station
A fire department has reported one of its "strangest" incidents ever, after two pillowcases filled with snakes were dumped near its headquarters.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service wrote on Facebook two bags had been dropped off outside Farringdon Community Fire Station in Sunderland, in North East England at around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Officials at the fire station soon realized the bags were in fact pillowcases, one of which was Toy Story-themed. Inside, they found three large snakes and a number of smaller snakes.
A fire crew was sent to Farringdon Community Fire Station, and the area was blocked off in case the snakes posed a danger to the public, according to the Facebook post.
The team called for back-up from the police and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), a charity devoted to protecting animals in England and Wales. A fire engine was used to block off the area, the Sunderland Echo newspaper reported.
"Probably one of the strangest incidents we've ever had to deal with in a long time!" Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service wrote on Facebook, adding: "The snakes and firefighters have now parted ways ... Fangs for the memories guys!"
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On Twitter, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service wrote: "Tonight, crews from #Farringdon fire station were shocked to discover 2 bags of snakes abandoned outside the station."
Kevin Burns, the manager of Farringdon Community Fire Station, told the Sunderland Echo: "We were all very relieved when the RSPCA turned up to collect the snakes, who took them into their care."
The RSPCA told Newsweek there were 13 royal pythons inside the pillowcases.
RSPCA collection officer David Dawson said one of the snakes has since died. The others are being kept with a vet and will soon be sent to a reptile specialist.
A member of the public noticed the moving pillowcases next to a trash can behind the fire station in "extremely cold conditions," and discovered the reptiles inside, he said.
Dawson said: "It must have been a very strange discovery for the people who found them."
He said it was unusual for someone with so many pythons to abandon them.
Dawson added: "Reptiles like snakes are completely dependent on their owners, who need to provide them with the correct environment, including heating and lighting, so abandoning them like this leaves them very vulnerable."
This article has been updated with comment from the RSPCA.
