Rattlesnake search 'scaled down'

Police think it may have been a rattlesnake

A poisonous rattlesnake may have been on the loose in a south Staffordshire town, police said.

It was spotted on Friday, near to the Wincanton distribution site, Tamworth, which was sealed off on Saturday.

It was described as light brown and about 2m (6ft) long, and it was said to be making a rattling sound.

Staffordshire Police said on Saturday afternoon that a initial search had failed to find the snake and it was being scaled down.

A spokesman said: "The area in question has now been extensively searched by the RSPCA and there is no trace of the snake.

"The RSPCA intend to take no further action."

Licence needed

Police had earlier said they were taking reports seriously and were not letting officers into the area.

The RSPCA said the animal was unlikely to be a rattlesnake, as all dangerous reptiles must be registered with the local authority.

Rattlesnakes rarely grow to be 2m long and are carefully controlled in the UK, said a spokeswoman.

She added: "Such a snake would have to be registered under the Dangerous Wildlife Act.

"As it is such a dangerous snake, anyone who owned it would need a licence."