Baby Ball Python Rescued With Mouth Stitched Closed

MIAMI — When Scott Mullin of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue says he had a “strange call,” that’s not likely to be an overstatement considering he climbed a tree in Homestead two weeks earlier to rescue an eight-foot Burmese Python.

“I have been with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue 20 years and I have never seen this,” he tells Patch, referring to Sunday’s discovery of a baby Ball Python with its mouth sewn shut.

It was not clear why someone did such a thing to what many people describe as one of the most docile reptiles and therein lies the mystery.

“The homeowner in SW Miami-Dade called 911, reporting a large python outside their sliding glass door,” Mullin explained. “I arrived to find a baby Ball Python, maybe 13-14 inches long. No one in the home kept snakes or knew anyone that did.”

Despite being assigned to Fire Rescue’s special operations unit — Venom One — Mullin urned to his friends on Facebook for answers. They in turn shared the post with their friends and friends of friends.

“I have never seen this done. I did see a show once on snake charmers in India who sewed the mouths of Cobras shut to insure they would not bite the snake charmer. But this is a first for me here in the states,” he penned. “Can anyone tell me why this would have been done to this gentle snake?”

In addition to the shares, Mullin received 50 comments — many from people outraged by such a clear case of animal cruelty. Others tried to ascribe a motive for the act.

“It's Santeria my brother to keep someone from talking or testifying against a person,” posited Alex Perez. “Voodoo witchcraft and the usual cruelty to animals.”

“I of all people, have the biggest issue with snakes due to being bit by a moccasin but am disgusted and angry about seeing this done to the poor animal,” added Makenzie Moffett.

“Never thought I'd say this, but I'm praying for that snake too. So sad. I don't know how people can justify this in their minds. Good find Bubba. Love you. Keep us posted.”

Still another person shared a YouTube video, which showed something similar. But the video appeared to be in Russian.

Jason Fry said he knew of a similar practice in the United States.

“I know here in Oklahoma they do the same thing at the rattlesnake festivals then pass the snake around for photos. Disgusting,”

Mullin brought the snake to the home of a friend, who breeds Ball Pythons. He and his friend gently removed the stitches,” according to Mullin.

“The snake does have a fungal infection in its mouth and with the use of antibiotics, might make a full recovery,” Mullin conceded. “Still no idea why this was done.”

His post had been shared more than 5,293 times as of early Thursday. After helping cut the stitches from the female snake's mouth, Mullin's friend decided to adopt it as a pet and pay all of the medical expenses.

Mullin urged anyone interested in adopting an exotic pet to contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision's Exotic Pet Amnesty Program. But you must have knowledge about how to care for the animal you wish to adopt.

Part of my duties is to help remove exotic snakes that escape and venture into homes when I am not treating victims that have been envenomated by snakes, spiders, marine life or insects,” said Mullin. adding that he doesn't know why someone would sew the snake's mouth together.

“That is why I put it on Facebook, hoping someone might help shed light on it,” he said.

Photos courtesy of Scott Mullin.