Two young boys were killed by a python that escaped its enclosure at a pet store in Canada
The two young boys, aged five and seven, were sleeping at a friend’s apartment late on Sunday in the small town of Campbellton when they were surprised by the snake.
It had escaped from a pet store that specialised in exotic animals located on the floor below the apartment.
“The preliminary investigation has led police to believe that a large exotic snake had escaped its enclosure at the store sometime overnight, and got into the ventilation system, then into the upstairs apartment,” police said in a statement.
“It’s believed the two boys were strangled by the snake.”
A New Brunswick police spokesman declined to give further details on the size of the snake or whether signs of strangulation were apparent on the boys.
Authorities said they were still waiting for the results of the autopsies – to be carried out on Tuesday – to determine the cause of death.
But reptile experts expressed scepticism over the incident, saying it would be extremely rare for a constrictor to attack two young boys.
“It’s difficult to believe,” said David Rogrigue, director of Montreal’s Ecomuseum Zoo.
This type of accident would be “an isolated case and very, very extraordinary, and very improbable,” he said.
These snakes typically bite to defend themselves and use strangulation solely for their prey.
“Strangling is really linked to the feeding of the animal,” he said, explaining the behaviour “is stimulated by hunger and by the odour of the prey.”
The python had been recaptured and was being held by police, authorities said.
The incident sparked strong reactions in Campbellton, a town of just over 7,000 people on Chaleur Bay in northern New Brunswick.
Deputy Mayor Ian Comeau expressed sorrow over the accident and noted that there had been opposition to the presence of the exotic pet store in the town. He pledged the city ordinance that allowed it would immediately come under review.
chikala
August 6, 2013 at 12:10 pm
ya cita bwino ukufipaya finkula tafyumfwa coz lesa alandile ati thiz are wild animals no mata wat u can’t tame them.
Abaku Canteen
August 6, 2013 at 12:31 pm
These animals were cursed by GOD, no matter how you tame them one day they will attack the people who are keeping them, now innocent children have lost their lives in the name of taming the snakes.
tkzee
August 6, 2013 at 4:15 pm
****** whites!
Mundia M
August 6, 2013 at 4:38 pm
This David Rogrigue as director of Montreal’s Ecomuseum Zoo is a very ignorant man as far as Pythons are concerned.
He should come to Zambia and interview our man from Solwezi who was attacked by the constrictor and survived so that he starts understanding the strength of the muscles that this snake has.
Secondly, the boys (MTSRIEP) where considered as prey by the snake.
I also agree with earlier comments, that these wild animals and snakes cannot be tamed. Whites, please learn to respect boundaries between humans and wild animals.
Ejaculation
August 6, 2013 at 6:50 pm
Ati….. “The python had been recaptured and was being held by police, authorities said.”
Sounds abit rather mwe
xxx diveo
August 6, 2013 at 7:40 pm
remarkeble!
Black Buda
August 6, 2013 at 9:18 pm
Tapali ifyo mulelanda bonse,sivipanga nzelu.
kasambwe comedian
August 6, 2013 at 9:31 pm
Am wondering how much is the bond so the snake can return to the bush.
banakulu chansa
August 7, 2013 at 12:28 pm
arrest the owners of those ugly pythons and take them to jail even if they were licenced bad manners to keep such pets. they knew that oneday things can go bad like that.