Pet owner sparks debate after taking 20 pet snakes to sunbathe in local park
As the mercury continues to rise during this welcomed blast of heat hitting the UK, many of us are swapping out trousers for shorts, reaching for our shades and whacking on the SPF to soak up some rays and catch a tan.
However, it seems it's not only humans who are partial to a spot of sunbathing, as some unlikely slithery critters have now also jumped onboard with the summery past-time.
One pet owner has sparked a heated debate after taking his 20 pet snakes to sunbathe in a local park based in Paisley, a town in Scotland.
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The man was spotted sunbathing with 20 reptilian companion at the park and has set off a discussion online all about pet etiquette - or petiquette should I say - over which animals are or aren't appropriate for public spaces.
The Friends of Barshaw Park Facebook group revealed it had been contacted by several people 'with concerns about someone bringing snakes into park'.
"It's been reported that recently 20 snakes were brought in by the person," the Facebook post read.
The bizarre situation has since left members of the group and local community totally split on whether or not the man, who is reported to be a regular at the park, should be allowed to bring his 20 serpents out with him in public.
One Facebook user hit out: "Me personally, I wouldn't have any of my animals anywhere near a public space, as why even present the risk in the first place?"
"Nope. Ban it. Ban him. No no no," echoed a second.
Many locals, however, rushed to the bloke's defense, with one user commenting: "I've seen this guy in the park over the last couple of years. He is a lovely person, very friendly, knowledgeable and always willing to answer any questions.
"His snakes are calm and I have held them several times."
One nearby resident, Margaret Winters, said everyone she spoke to was totally fine to see the snakes enjoying up the sunshine.
She said: "The first time I spotted the snakes, they ended up literally crawling over my feet. I got a bit of a fright, but they were really nice.
"I'm not scared of snakes so it was quite nice to get the chance to hold a baby one."
She added: "It was bizarre because you expect to see dogs running around the park but not snakes.
"The man who owned them said they were quite clever and friendly and they looked as if they were enjoying the sun. Most people were really interested."
With that said however, the Barshaw Park Facebook group has since informed people it had been told by the local Renfrewshire council that 'no-one has permission to bring snakes into Barshaw Park'.
"The police request that if you see anyone in the park with snakes, please do not approach the person, but call the police on 101, and they will attend," the post concluded.
A spokesman for Renfrewshire Council confirmed via the BBC: "Non domestic pets such as snakes should not be brought into our parks and consent has not been provided for this to take place."
Rhiannon Ingle