Mutilated bodies of snake and lizard found dumped in woodland

WARNING: This article contains a graphic image
Appeal: A monitor lizard and royal python were found dumped in woodland
Rex
Hannah Al-Othman18 January 2016
WEST END FINAL

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An appeal for information has been launched after the mutilated bodies of two reptiles were found dumped in woodland in St Albans.

The royal python and the monitor lizard, which were each around a metre in length, were found with clean incisions all the way along the undersides of their bodies and their internal organs were missing.

A passer-by made the grizzly find in a wooded area in Park Street Lane last Sunday.

The snake’s head and the lizard’s back legs were missing, but RSPCA inspectors believe this was due to wild animals scavenging after the reptiles were dumped.

The cuts to their bodies are thought to have been caused deliberately with a sharp instrument, the RSPCA said.

WARNING: Graphic image below

Appeal: the gruesome discovery was made by a passer-by
RSPCA

Inspectors said they are unsure whether the animals were killed in the woods, or whether their bodies were simply disposed of there.

Both of the reptiles appeared to be in relatively good health before they died.

RSPCA inspector Rachel Smith said: "We don’t know for sure if the reptiles had already died before being cut open or indeed if the person who dumped them was the same person responsible for cutting them, but they may have suffered a great deal.

“Reptiles have specialist needs and it is both sad and disturbing that these have been dumped in the woods.

“The monitor lizard looks like an Indonesian species, though it is difficult to identify from the remains.

"These types of monitors are not very commonly kept as pets so we are hoping that someone will know someone in the area who has, until recently, owned such an animal.

“We urge anyone with information to contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should call the RSPCA in confidence on 0300 123 8018.

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