JUSTICE SECURED IN SNAKES IN A BIN CASE
A man has been given a seven-year prohibition from owning reptiles after admitting to the act of abandoning three Royal Python snakes in a litter bin in Scarborough.On June 29, a Wednesday morning, Samuel Thomas Newton, age 35 and living on Hampton Road, took the three non-venomous snakes from his residence in a carrier bag and disposed of them in a roadside trash container outside a school situated in the Sandybed Lane neighborhood.
Police managed to recover two of the snakes later that day following a report by a bystander who observed one snake hanging out of the bin.
The remaining snake was found the next day in nearby grassy terrain.
With help from a media appeal, Newton was identified as the owner of the reptiles.
Initially, Newton stated he was not involved, claiming that he had passed the snakes to a third party to re-home them.
Nonetheless, during police interviews, he confessed to physically dumping the animals himself.
He cited the rising expenses of food and heating, coupled with insufficient time to care for the snakes, as reasons for his decision to abandon them.
He did not attempt to rehome the animals and did not consider their welfare.
The case was investigated by North Yorkshire Police, leading to charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Newton pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Scarborough Magistrates Court on August 22, 2022.
His punishment included a seven-year ban from owning reptiles, a fine of £384, a £154 surcharge, and £85 in court costs, totaling £623.
PC Graham Bilton, the wildlife crime officer for North Yorkshire Police in Scarborough, spoke about the incident.
He remarked that leaving large, non-native snakes in such a manner was extremely disturbing, noting they were recovered quickly and appeared to have avoided serious harm, though they were likely distressed.
Bilton condemned Newton’s conduct as irresponsible and unlawful, describing it as ‘disgusting.’ Geoff Edmond of the RSPCA Inspectorate, serving as the National Wildlife Coordinator, addressed concerns about increasing expenses related to pet care—such as insurance, veterinary bills, food, and energy costs—potentially forcing owners to relinquish animals, particularly exotic species with specific environmental needs.
He stressed that animals should never be abandoned.
With prompt police and RSPCA intervention, the snakes were safely re-homed, emphasizing the importance of responsible ownership and adherence to animal welfare laws.
