Mystery as woman finds second snake in her garden

A woman said she was "baffled" after finding a second snake outside her house within 10 days.

Charley Harrison, of St Helens in Merseyside, said her "worst nightmare came true" when she spotted an Amel corn snake on 12 January. The missing pet, named Slytherin, was safely reunited with its owners.

Charley said she was "shocked" to find a dead snake in her garden on Wednesday. "I've never seen one in 21 years," she added, "and now I've seen two in just over a week."

An animal sanctuary said it was the fourth snake to be found in the area in recent weeks and feared the others had been abandoned. It begged owners not to do so since it was "inflicting a death sentence on them in this weather".

The latest snake found by Charley was also an Amel corn snake, but significantly bigger.

Jay Scott, who runs the Jaysco Sanctuary which cares for reptiles, said the discoveries in such close proximity were "very concerning" and "upsetting".

Of two found last month, she said one was dead and the second was being cared for by the sanctuary.

"These aren't all escaping," she said.

Scott issued a plea to struggling owners.

"Snakes need exotic temperatures - by releasing them in this cold they are inflicting a death sentence on them.

"You don't need to dump them," she said, adding they can contact the sanctuary which she has been running for 30 years for help.

Of her latest discovery, Charley said: "It's weird.

"I was terrified last time but I felt sad this time because it had died."

She said it had left her uneasy and that she was "praying" she does not find more.

An RSPCA spokeswoman urged prospective owners of reptiles such as snakes to thoroughly research their needs and what is required to care for them before they consider taking one on.

She said: "Some people are unaware of how much of a commitment these animals are, which we believe sadly contributes to them being abandoned or released on purpose when owners can no longer meet their needs or the novelty wears off."

She said if snakes become too cold they can become very ill.

"Without proper care they can suffer from serious diseases, dehydration, injuries and parasites, and in severe cases or if left untreated, they can eventually die."

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