Three dead pythons and a cat found in South Lanarkshire woodland over festive period
THE SSPCA was notified about the first snake by a member of the public and before bring told about a further two dead pythons in the same spot.
The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after three dead pythons were found in woodland near Carstairs.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity was notified about the first snake by a member of the public who found the body on 18 December.
They were then alerted to a further two dead pythons in the same spot on 21 December.
Scottish SPCA inspector Dawn Robertson said, “Sadly, the snakes were already dead when they were discovered.
“The person who alerted us to the first body found it at around 10.30am in woodland between Carstairs village and the Clyde Valley Nursing Home.
“We were then alerted to a further two dead snakes at around 10.30am three days later in the same area.
“When I attended the second call, I also came across the body of a cat at the foot of a nearby tree a few metres from the snakes.
“The snakes are all adult royal python and about one metre in length.
“The black and white cat was unfortunately not microchipped.
“Although we can’t be certain of the circumstances surrounding these deaths, it’s certainly a very unusual incident and we’re keen to establish how the bodies came to be in that stretch of woodland.
“If anyone recognises these snakes, or the cat, and knows who may have owned them, we would urge them to contact us as soon as possible by calling our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
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