Burmese Python Found Dead And Tied In Knot In ‘Revenge Attack’ In Wales

A dead Burmese python has been found, tied in a knot with its skull crushed, in what is thought to be a 'revenge attack' after a keeper of exotic animals was suffocated recently.

The snake had also been stabbed with a screwdriver through the lungs before being dumped in a field.

The body was found by a dog walker in Crynant, Wales just days after an inquest into the death of Dan Brandon - a snake handler who was restricted by an 8ft African Rock Python.

The snake's body was taken by snake handler Geraint Hopkins and his wife, Yolande Hopkins.

Mrs Hopkins thinks that the death of Mr Brandon may have caused the attackers to kill the snake. She said: "It seems very strange that the coroner's report for the man who had been killed by his pet python came out last week and now this one has been killed and dumped.

"I think this is a revenge attack because either people were disgusted by Dan Brandon's death, or it could have been that the owner was scared by what this man's snake did to him and panicked.

"The inquest took place last week then all of a sudden last weekend this snake was found dead. We found this python on Sunday morning."

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She continued: "I don't know for definite what had happened to it. It'd definitely been bricked on the head. The skull has been crushed, it had been tied in a knot and someone had used a screwdriver to puncture its lungs. One or two people have said it was frozen as if it'd been put in a freezer to die.

"We were sick all day, all weekend, to find someone had killed their snake in such a way. You need to understand that any pet can be dangerous. I used to have a chinchilla that everyone was terrified of. You just need to know how to handle them."

The Burmese Pythons is one of the largest pythons out there, and once they reach adulthood, should always be handled by two people. The coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure in Mr Brandon's case.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA in Wales said: "RSPCA Cymru is very saddened to hear that a snake - believed to be a Burmese python - has been found dead in the Crynant area.

"It is very shocking to hear that its death may have been deliberately caused and would urge anyone with any information about this incident to call us on 0300 1234 999. Calls are treated in confidence."

Featured Image Credit: StoryTrender

Topics: Animal Cruelty, UK News, Snakes, Animals, python

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a freelance journalist and LADbible contributor. He graduated from University of London with a BA in Philosophy before studying for a Masters in Journalism at the University of Salford. He has previously written for the M.E.N Group as well as working for several top professional sports clubs. Contact him on [email protected]

@TPWagwim