Full Breakdown
New Jersey Police Free Ball Python Trapped in Car Grille
By Drooid · · How we work
Snake Stuck in Car Grille Triggers Police Rescue
In September, a resident of Franklin Township discovered a three-foot ball python lodged in the front grille of her vehicle after a routine wheel alignment. She called local police, who arrived and removed the front bumper and other components to reach the reptile. Body-camera footage shows officers working for roughly 20 minutes before successfully untangling and extracting the snake, which was later taken to the Franklin Township Animal Shelter. The incident’s cause remains unknown.
Official Response and Safety Reminder
Franklin Township Public Safety Director Lloyd Fredericks emphasized that releasing exotic pets into the wild is illegal and can threaten native wildlife and household animals. He urged owners of non-native reptiles to surrender them to the township shelter rather than abandon them. Police officers, including Officer Lisseth Villacis, noted that animal-control officials declined to assist because they handle only domesticated animals, leaving law enforcement to manage the extraction.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We tried getting animal control out there, and they're like, they only deal with domesticated animals,” — Officer Lisseth Villacis
- “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,” — Aiyana Hudson
- “Releasing an exotic animal into the wild is not only illegal but also poses a threat to native species and pets,” — Lloyd Fredericks, public safety director
Impact and Legal Context
The rescue highlights a gap in local animal-control protocols for exotic species, prompting officials to remind the public of existing statutes that prohibit the release of non-native animals. While the snake was unharmed, the episode underscores potential hazards when exotic pets escape or are deliberately abandoned, including risks to motorists and local ecosystems.