Officer fatally shot 15-foot snake that was strangling man, police say

By Lindsey Bever
July 21, 2022 at 3:32 p.m. EDT

Pennsylvania police shot and killed a 15-foot snake Wednesday as it was strangling a man in his home in an Allentown suburb.

Emergency personnel responded to a call Wednesday afternoon about a 28-year-old man who was in cardiac arrest with a snake wrapped tightly around his throat. When police arrived at the home in Fogelsville, they found the man, who was identified by police only as the pet snake’s owner, lying unresponsive on the floor, Lt. Peter Nickischer, with the Upper Macungie Township, told The Washington Post.

The “very large, very thick” snake had wrapped its midsection around his neck — and its eyes were on the officers, he said. ... Nickischer said one of the officers fired a single shot, striking the snake in the head. The reptile then released its grip and slithered away, allowing the officers to pull its owner to safety, he said. ... The snake died.

Nickischer said paramedics provided “lifesaving measures” on the man before rushing him to a hospital for treatment. He remained hospitalized on Thursday, though his condition was not known, Nickischer added.

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By Lindsey Bever
Lindsey Bever is a general assignment reporter for The Washington Post, covering national news with an emphasis on health. She was previously a reporter at the Dallas Morning News. Twitter https://twitter.com/lindseybever