HERALD-STANDARD (Uniontown, Pennsylvania) 29 August 04 Residents concerned over loose boa constrictor (Jennifer Harr)
North Union Township residents who live near Kennedy School should not attempt to rid the area of a rogue boa constrictor by burning down nearby woods, a humane officer has cautioned.
"The snake will just go somewhere else," said Robin Moore with Noah's Ark Animal Shelter in North Union Township.
Since an article that mentioned the snake was loose in the area of the school was published, Moore said, the shelter has received approximately 25 calls from concerned residents, many of whom threatened to burn down the woods. Moore said she believes someone released the boa constrictor into the woods several weeks ago after the snake became too large for its cage.
After the first frost in the area, Moore said, the snake, which needs a warm climate to survive, will die. In the meantime, to assuage fears, Moore said humane officials will search for the snake. She also noted that the boa constrictor is a "shy" snake and generally will leave people alone.
Moore repeated her caution to residents not to leave garage doors or basement doors open, since the boa constrictor searches out warm areas.
"It's no different than a black snake. If you leave your garage door open, the snake will come in," Moore said.
But threats of burning woods to get rid of the snake won't do that at all, she said. The reptile will just move to another area.
"I hope, if anything, this shows the ignorance not only to animals, but to people," Moore said. "There are a lot of older people up there who are terrified that their house is going to burn down because of this."
Residents concerned over loose boa constrictor