Albino Cobra On The Loose In Southern California, Bites Dog
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) - Southern California animal control officers are hunting for a highly venomous cobra that bit a dog and then slithered off into a suburban Los Angeles neighborhood.
Snake expert Greg Pauly said Wednesday that the albino monocle cobra isn't aggressive but will bite if cornered. Los Angeles County spokeswoman Lara Arsinian says anyone who sees the snake should call 911 and not try to approach it.
Arsinian says the snake attack Monday in Thousand Oaks sent the dog to an animal hospital in critical condition.
But TV reports on Wednesday showed the pooch with a bandaged neck, and Arsinian says the pet appears to be fine.
Cobras, which can grow to more than 4 feet long, are generally illegal to own in California. They are common in Southeast Asia.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.