Police in Franklin Township, New Jersey, rescued a 3-foot ball python that became trapped in the front grille of a woman’s car. Officers removed part of the vehicle after animal control officials said they handled only domesticated animals. The snake was freed after about 20 minutes and taken to the Franklin Township Animal Shelter. Officials said how the python entered the grille remains unknown.
The unusual incident occurred on Sept. 14 after Aiyana Hudson returned home from a wheel alignment and noticed the reptile lodged in her vehicle. Body camera footage showed officers examining the car and carefully working to reach the snake without harming it.
| 1) | The discovery in Franklin Township |
| 2) | Police assess the trapped python |
| 3) | Officers dismantle part of the car |
| 4) | The snake is freed and sheltered |
| 5) | Officials warn against releasing exotic pets |
The discovery in Franklin Township
Aiyana Hudson discovered the python on Sept. 14 after arriving home in Franklin Township following a wheel alignment. The approximately 3-foot snake was wedged inside the front grille of her car, prompting her to contact police for assistance.
Hudson said she was relieved the reptile had not entered the passenger compartment while she was driving. She described the possibility of the snake appearing through an air-conditioning vent or near the steering wheel as frightening.
“I was just really happy that it didn’t, like, pop its head through the AC vent when I was driving or come in through the steering wheel,” Hudson said.
Police assess the trapped python
Responding officers inspected the vehicle and considered how to remove the animal safely. Body camera footage showed them examining the grille and discussing the practical steps needed to reach the trapped reptile.
Lisseth Villacis, one of the responding officers, said police first contacted animal control. The agency declined to respond because its services covered domesticated animals, leaving officers to manage the situation themselves.
“We tried getting animal control out there, and they’re like, they only deal with domesticated animals,” Villacis said. “And we’re like, oh shoot. OK. So, we’re kind of like the last resort.”
Officers dismantle part of the car
With no animal control response available, officers took matters into their own hands. They removed vehicle components, including the front bumper, to create enough access to the grille and the snake.
The work took about 20 minutes. Officers had to balance the need to disassemble part of the car with the need to avoid injuring the python, which was tangled inside the front section of the vehicle. The footage documented the rescue effort as it unfolded.
The snake is freed and sheltered
Police eventually untangled and removed the python without harming it. Animal control officials identified the reptile as a ball python, and it was transported to the Franklin Township Animal Shelter.
Authorities did not determine how the snake reached the vehicle’s grille. No account indicated that the python entered the car’s interior, and the animal was reported to be unharmed after its removal.
Officials warn against releasing exotic pets
Lloyd Fredericks, Franklin Township’s public safety director, reminded residents that releasing exotic pets into the wild is illegal. He also warned that nonnative animals can threaten local wildlife and household pets.
Officials advised residents who can no longer care for pet snakes to surrender them to the township animal shelter rather than abandon them outdoors. The guidance followed the rescue and emphasized responsible handling of exotic animals in the community.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A 3-foot ball python was found trapped in a car grille in Franklin Township on Sept. 14. |
| 2 | Police removed the front bumper and other parts to reach the reptile. |
| 3 | The snake was freed after about 20 minutes and taken to a local shelter. |
| 4 | Officials said the python’s route into the grille was unclear. |
Summary
A routine vehicle issue became an unusual police rescue when a ball python was found inside a New Jersey car grille. Officers carefully dismantled part of the vehicle after animal control could not respond, freed the unharmed snake and transferred it to a township shelter. Officials used the incident to remind residents not to release exotic pets into the wild.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the python found?
It was found trapped in the front grille of a woman’s car in Franklin Township, New Jersey.
How did police remove the snake?
Officers removed vehicle parts, including the front bumper, and untangled the snake over about 20 minutes.
What happened to the python?
The unharmed ball python was taken to the Franklin Township Animal Shelter.
