Python nailed to pole in Lawrence recovers at animal hospital

May 23, 2008 04:00 PM Email| Comments (1)| Text size – +

(Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff)

By Martin Finucane, Globe Staff

A two-foot-long ball python that was found nailed to a telephone pole in Lawrence earlier this week is recovering today at the MSPCA's Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston.

One of the nails used to impale the python to a telephone pole.

The snake was found Wednesday afternoon by an animal control officer near the corner of Buswell and Lexington Streets with five roofing nails through its body. The nails -- behind the jaw, through the tail, and along the body -- missed all the major organs, said Brian Adams, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The MSPCA's law enforcement department is investigating what happened to the snake, which has been named Trent by the group's officials. The MSPCA is offering a $500 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible. The organization urged anyone with information to call 617-522-6008.

Adams said officials believe that the snake may have been nailed up as a warning to somebody. "We have to find out who's trying to warn who," he said. He said the incident could also be "someone pulling a sick prank."

MSPCA officials suspect the snake was nailed on the pole Tuesday night. It was sighted the next morning by schoolchildren on the way to school, Adams said, before it was reported to authorities that afternoon.

"If he had been left there any longer, most likely he would have just died," Adams said.

Adams said the snake was being treated with painkillers and antibiotics after being impaled by the 2-inch-long nails, but appeared likely to survive.

"We're hoping he does pull through," he said.