To think this cannot be legal...

[user1481143387]

DS1 13 months would not go to sleep tonight so DP took him in the pushchair for a walk. He came across an absolutely massive snake in the park. Someone had let him out of a large tank apparently (not in the pic). Lots of bystanders taking pics. I know people can have these in their homes, but in public??? Cannot be legal right?

I'm a regular but name changed as I knew people would ask where this was and obviously telling the location could be outing. This is in Roberts Park, Saltaire, West Yorkshire.

This is for real.

WTF?!!!!

I think it's sweet. It's a well cared for pet going out for a slither on a nice warm day. No danger to anyone.

Why are people suggesting calling 999, the actual emergency number, over a supervised pet snake which has shown no signs of aggression and wasn’t bothering anyone?

Bet there’s a Jack Russell in that park more aggressive than the snake!

We have a person near us who does this - lets it out in front of the local strip of shops! I couldn’t believe it the first time I saw it!
Now, I don’t really care. Quite amazing to see and they aren’t venomous (though the worry remains of them snatching a little dog!)

Someone does this by mine, he always stands really close and picks up if dogs are near.

But he's not very polite and gets annoyed if my 4yo gets excited by a snake

road what do you expect the police to do if the owner is there and it’s under control?!

How am I supposed to know if this giant snake is venomous?

@PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks
I thought DP was having a laugh but then I zoomed in and could clearly identify the rubbish bins as the ones in Roberts Park - they are quite distinctive and painted lavender.

It would love it. My (much smaller) snake used to love going on the grass.

It looks like a python, so won't be poisonous. If attacked by a dog it could strike and coil, but I suspect most dog owners would keep away.

I used to use the rule of 1 adult per four feet of snake though. So it should have a few people with it.

As long as it's under control I don't see the problem. I'm sure it's less dangerous than a dog. I doubt the police would give a shit as I'm pretty sure it's not illegal.

road Amd you think the cops do know?! It’s a supervised pet with its owner and under control. What do you expect the police to do about that?

Good job you don't live in Florida.

You have to have a special license for venomous snakes that isn't easy or cheap to come by. I think it would be illegal to take a snake covered by the license into public like that.

Looks like a python. Probably a burm

Sayıng that though. It's all very well me thinking it's cute. I love all creatures
slimey hairy fairy fluffy scaley feathery
However I can fully understand people being terrified. I mean let's be honest.
Its not something you'd expect to be confronted by in your loval park, is it

RoadtoRivendell, all really big snakes are non venomous.

What would happen if a dog or a small child ran up to it? I wonder if the owner could control it enough to manage any situation...

How am I supposed to know if this giant snake is venomous?

It's unlikely someone would keep a giant venomous snake as a pet. It looks like it might be a python.

Maybe if the snake has just been fed, the risk of it going after a dog or a child is low?

How fast do they move? Is there a risk that it could escape?

Makes the time I saw people walking ferrets in some other local woodland seem rather tame. Likewise for the time DP saw someone walking a meerkat. Clearly dogs are too boring for the citizens of Yorkshire.

Cuteness overload! Snakes are superb pets and a lot less likely to bite your toddler than a puppy.

I agree it looks like a python - almost certainly an albino. They don't bite and aren't venomous anyway; they're constrictors and therefore crush their prey to death and in captivity are generally fed things like rodents and rabbits

In theory it could make a quick end of someone's dog if it was really hungry, but that's not likely with a well fed pet

RoadtoRivendell, all really big snakes are non venomous.

Cobras can get up to 18ft. But most venomous snakes are in the smaller side, I think.

Having just seen this I now feel less daft about walking my tortoise!!

(and no I'm not kidding, he has a lead too )

Ugh, that's stupid to keep a meerkat as a pet. They're supposed to live in their little colonies aren't they? Not as someone's lap dog.

Apart from cats and dogs I'm not a big fan of pet culture.

Having just seen this I now feel less daft about walking my tortoise!!

(and no I'm not kidding, he has a lead too )

That's just a bloody great big massive NO! No no no! Fuck me!

I am fairly sure it's Python and they are not venomous. Strong af though. But again, if the are fed well, they have no reason to spontaneously attack.
I don't think it could encounter a dog, because every owner grabs their no matter how big dog into their arms and runs for it when they see snake like this 😂