An Audenshaw couple found themselves 'wrestling' with a massive 10-foot Boa Constrictor snake
"Someone came in screaming: 'there's a Boa on the street'"
A forklift truck driver and his wife found themselves 'wrestling' with a massive 10-foot Boa Constrictor after it was abandoned near a primary school.
The snake was found in a cardboard box on Audenshaw Drive just an hour before the end of the school day.
Chris Liddle, 36, said he, his wife, Kate and their baby were out at the Queens Arms pub having lunch on Wednesday when they heard a shriek.
"Someone came in screaming 'there's a Boa on the street'", said Chris.
"Me and my wife rushed down there and wrestled with it."
The couple discovered the huge reptile in a box in someone's front garden.
They placed their baby safely to one side while they tried to keep the snake inside the box.
"The baby was just looking at it," he added.
They called the RSPCA but no one was available to help for several hours.
After an hour and a half two police officers arrived with John Hall from the petshop Hardwick Pets.
"It's a bit of a funny colour but looks all right," said John, who checked the snake over.
"It needs lots of heat and food now."
He explained the snake may have been wriggling a lot as it wanted to find shelter and a heat source.
The animal, with an estimated value of £100, will now be looked after by a friend of the pet shop owner.
PC Sajid Oswald from Greater Manchester Police said: "People should be responsible when they are purchasing pets.
"They should thoroughly research them first.
"They should also be mindful of the dangers. The school run was about to start around here.
"We've had a few snake rescues before in the city centre two years ago, but none around here."
The road is near Poplar Street Primary School for 3 to 11 year olds.
Boa constrictors can grow to 12 feet long and live for about 30 years.
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