Six-foot python rescued by bar staff

Bar staff have rescued a six-foot python that had been tied up in a bin bag and left to die in a pile of rubbish.

An Australian carpet python

The Australian Carpet snake was discovered when staff at Kiki Bar in Manchester went to clear out their rubbish at about 1am on Sunday.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, bar manager Adam Edwards said: “We thought it was dead at first but then one member of staff who is really knowledgeable about reptiles and snakes looked after it and realised it was still alive”.

CCTV images show a man leaving the bag at the rubbish site area at around 2pm on Saturday, meaning that the snake had been left there for more than 10 hours in the cold.

“We just couldn’t believe it was a 6ft snake”, added Edwards. “It’s bizarre and funny, but really it’s quite sad that this snake had been taken from the wild for our entertainment, and then shut up in a box and left to die. Who does that?”

The RSPCA is now appealing to the public to help identify the man who abandoned the reptile.

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said: “A snake was found in a white bin bag by the pile of bin bags behind Kiki bar on Canal Street.“Had this snake not been found, it would have been collected with the other rubbish and most certainly would have died. “The snake had no water and was left in a small box in a plastic bag in sub optimal temperatures for the breed. To dump a snake in this way is unnecessary and is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. There are plenty of vets, pet shops or charities that would take in any unwanted animal rather than leave it to come to harm or die in such a cruel manner.”

Australian Carpet snakes are non-venomous and can grow to more than 3m in length. They are common throughout northern, eastern and southern Australia.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 123 4999.