EVENING POST (Nottingham, UK) 28 September 05 Python 'Still On Loose'
The seven-foot snake spotted in Ruddington on Monday is still at large.
People are being urged to remain vigilant and to report any sightings to police, the RSPCA or Rushcliffe Borough Council.
They should not approach the python, which was seen coiled around a small dog in the park between Ling Crescent and St Mary's Cresent just before 11pm.
It has dark green and brown scales and a light-coloured belly.
One woman called the Post after seeing yesterday's story, claiming the reptile was spotted by her son and his friend in Clifton nine days earlier.
Ayshea Ramshall, 30, said her son Luke, 11, and his friend saw a snake while fishing in the brook near Fairham College.
"They said they'd seen a massive snake, but we just laughed it off," she said. "We just thought they might have made it up, but then we saw the reports in the paper."
David Banks, head of environmental health at the council, said: "The dog wardens have found evidence of the snake having been in Ruddington, but no snake.
"We are putting some signs up around the park."
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EVENING POST (Nottingham, UK) 27 September 05 Escaped Python Attacks Pet Dog (Chris Birkle and Sean Kenny)
Police are warning people to beware of a 7ft snake spotted in Ruddington.
Witnesses saw what they thought was a python, coiled around a small dog, at the park between Ling Crescent and St Mary's Crescent just before 11pm yesterday.
The snake is described as having dark green and brown scales and a light belly.
Witness Tim Dundon, 17, of Ling Crescent, who was walking home from his girlfriend's house, said: "It was coiled around a dog and the dog's owner was shouting at it."
He ran off to call the police and said: "When I went back to the park it was still there."
Another witness, Stuart Winning, 44, also from Ling Crescent, said: "It was as big as my thigh."
Police could not find the snake, which was said to have gone into undergrowth and the dog owner is thought to have escaped with his pet.
A police spokesman said: "Officers had a call from members of the public at 10.50pm, reporting the sighting of a large snake in Ruddington.
"A police search was carried out but the snake was not located. If you see the snake do not approach it or aggravate it."
Rushcliffe Borough Council sent two dog wardens to find the reptile. They were still at the scene late this morning.
David Banks, head of environmental health, said: "If it is a python then it would not necessarily be recorded as a dangerous animal.
"People can buy them as pets and do not have to have advice from us. It is not something that the council has a duty to deal with, but we are responding because of the risk to public health."
If a snake was found it would be cared for by the RSPCA.
Mrs Karen Duffty, who suffers a phobia of snakes, was visibly shocked on hearing the news.
The 56-year-old, of Ling Crescent, had walked her dog, Oscar, through the park this morning.
"I can't stay here if there's a snake," she said. "I saw one on holiday in Florida and we came home early."
However, RSPCA regional exotic animal co-ordinator Dean Astill-Dunsieth, was sceptical. "My first feeling is that this is a mistake and people should not panic," he said. "Even if it is true it would be no danger to the public.
"If a large constrictor got out most of them are very timid. They do not randomly attack things.
"Now it is too cold for this animal. They would not be able to digest a meal. It is extremely unlikely.
"If anybody sees any stray reptile that is not native, call the RSPCA to collect it, but do not be frightened.
"If there is a python out there it is in danger. It has got to find somewhere warm to go. The snake is in a lot more danger of dying than it is to people. If it's loose we want to find it."
Was your dog attacked by a snake in Ruddington? Call our newsdesk on 0115 948 2000.
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