Witchcraft At Play? Baby Ball Python Found With Mouth Sewn Shut
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE (CBSMiami) –The Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Venom One unit made a disturbing discovery following a call about a snake in someone's yard.
"When I saw the snake, I panicked and I did not know what to do," said Jeshua Araoz
The snake, in the yard of the home near SW 154th Avenue and 25th Terrace in Southwest Miami-Dade on Sunday, had its mouth sewn shut.
Jeshua's mom, Aymara Araoz, called 911 and the on duty anti-venom unit lieutenant came and got the snake.
Lt. Scott Mullin said he's never seen anything like this in his 17-years on the job.
In addition, he said, the snake was a baby Ball Python, which are not considered to be vicious attack snakes and are the most common types of pet pythons.
All pythons are non-venomous and most pose no threat to humans.
Lt. Mullin wrote on his Facebook page, "I have never come across a Ball Python that was not a sweet heart. They are by nature, very docile snakes. They truly make a great pet."
He also asked, "Can anyone tell me why this would have been done to this gentle snake?"
Aymara Araoz has a theory.
"It was stitched because of people who do witchcraft," she said. "It is really sad because a lot of animals go through this."
Snakes do play important roles in multiple African-based religions well known in South Florida, so CBS4's Hank Tester visited a nearby Botanica. The on-duty clerk said he'd never heard of something like this.
The snake is now in the care of a veterinarian as investigators try to find the person responsible.