Boa constrictors are "unpredictable wild animals"

Council officers found the dead snakes and two dead rabbits sealed in plastic bags in Snydale, near Wakefield.

George Lister, from Wakefield Council, said: "If the animals were alive when they were put in the bags then this was a gross act of animal cruelty."

The council and RSPCA are working to trace the owner of the animals and who was responsible for the fly-tipping.

'Dead or dazed'

Mr Lister said: "We always look through rubbish that's been dumped to see if there is any information, like bills or letters, that could lead us to the flytippers.

"I couldn't believe it when two huge snakes fell out, they weren't moving but I didn't know if they were dead or just dazed.

"This was a situation I've never encountered before."

A RSPCA spokeswoman added that boa constrictors were "unpredictable wild animals that should be treated with care."

She said: "This just illustrates why exotic animals don't make good pets for people who don't have the specialist knowledge.

"People think it's exciting and interesting at first but are left with a snake they really can't care for."