Walker finds mutilated snake with head cut off

A SNAKE has been found with its head cut off, an animal welfare charity has said.

A dog walker found the decapitated common boa inside a plastic storage box in a field near Oak Place, Mayfield, Midlothian, on Monday afternoon.

The snake’s head had been severed and placed inside the container and its body was covered in wounds. The walker phoned police and they contacted the Scottish SPCA.

A post-mortem examination was carried out which revealed the head had been removed while the snake was still alive but that its bodily injuries were inflicted after it died. The charity appealed for information about the incident.

Animal rescue officer Mairi Stewart said: “We can’t be sure of the circumstances surrounding this snake’s death, but if someone has done this as a deliberate act of cruelty then this is sickening.

“Although the post-mortem results show the snake was still alive when its head was severed, the vet said if this was done with one clean cut, death would have been instant and the snake is unlikely to have suffered.

“Aside from the injuries sustained, the snake was in good bodily condition, indicating it has been someone’s pet.”