Snake Survives Being
Nailed To
Pole In Lawrence
LAWRENCE (WBZ) ― Lawrence officials are investigating a bizarre case of animal cruelty in which a pet python was
nailed to a telephone
pole with six roofing nails and left to die.
A reward is being offered to help find whoever
nailed the python to the
pole at an intersection on Lexington Street, where he was left dangling for at least eight hours.
"There were five to six roofing nails that were
nailed into various parts of his body, and people said they saw him up there around 7:30 in the morning when kids were going to school but no one called until 3:30 that afternoon," said MSPCA Officer Martha Parkhurst. "I have a feeling he got put there sometime during the night."
The snake has six puncture wounds, including one near its head. It is being cared for at the MSPCA in Methuen.
The snake, which has been affectionately named Trent after the lead singer of Nine Inch Nails, is recovering from its wounds. Parkhurst said it is expected to be OK.
"It's one of the more bizarre things I've come across in the years I've been doing this," Parkhurst said. "Obviously the person's sick, and they didn't intend to kill him right away or they would have put the nail directly into his head."
Parkhurst said the pet snake appeared to be well cared for before the incident.
Animal cruelty is a felony in Massachusetts, which is punishable for up to five years in state prison and/or a $2,500 fine.
Parkhurst said a $500 reward is being offered for information leading to the person or persons responsible for nailing the snake to the
pole.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the MSPCA Law Enforcement Department's hotline at 617-522-6008.
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