13-foot Python, 9 Other Snakes Rescued by SPCA of Westchester

The SPCA of Westchester’s Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) Unit took possession of 11 snakes from a residence in Lake Peekskill Sept. 14 after determining that their owner could no longer care for them.

SPCA officials said 10 of the snakes, all boa constrictors and pythons, were in good condition according to reptile expert Chris Cooper who supervised the transfer of the snakes to the SPCA. One, a Columbian Red-Tailed Boa, was euthanized at the shelter in Briarcliff Manor due to fatal injuries it had suffered at the Lake Peekskill home.

The largest snake, a 13-foot, male, Green Granite Burmese Python, weighed about 60 pounds. Two other large snakes are an Albino Burmese Python (11ft. long) and a young Burmese Python (5 ft. long).

“The SPCA of Westchester is once again indebted to Chris Cooper for the generosity of his knowledge and his time,” said SPCA Executive Director Shannon Laukhuf. “Chris was just recently at the shelter to assist us with the care of 35 lizards and turtles seized during an animal cruelty investigation in Port Chester. I think it’s fair to say that we are truly expanding our humane mission which has traditionally involved the protection and care of dogs, cats and horses.”