Reports of a “highly venomous” snake on the loose in Oxford are false according to a city councillor.
Locals in Jericho were left terrified after a poster was spotted attached to a lamppost near Barefoot Cafe in Walton Street on Friday warning of an escaped snake.
The poster featured a photograph of a cobra and said: “Attention! Missing snake.
“Highly venomous, do not approach! Please call on 01865236780.
“Do not call the police or they will take her away from me.”
READ MORE: Oxford warned over ‘highly venomous’ snake on the loose
The Oxford Mail attempted to call this number multiple times but there was no answer with an automated message saying the number had not been recognised.
Alex Hollingsworth, who is a city councillor for Carfax and Jericho, believes that the whole incident is fake and an attempt at humour.
“I think it’s a hoax,” he said.
“It’s somebody’s idea of a joke but it's just not very funny.
“That is my assumption based on the fact that the number is not real.”
READ MORE: Major Oxfordshire road closes today for THREE MONTHS
Subscribe to the Oxford Mail for just £4 for four months in this July flash sale 🗞https://t.co/cSxYZYwrdV
— Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) July 9, 2024
When asked about the threat to residents if the missing snake was real, Mr Hollingsworth assured members of the public that experts would handle it.
“I am sure that those who are experts in cobras will be able to say it,” he added.
“But it does seem to be a hoax but it’s just not very funny.”
The Oxford Mail has approached Thames Valley Police for comment about the posters.
Help support trusted local news
Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/
As a digital subscriber you will get:
- Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website
- Advert-light access
- Reader rewards
- Full access to our app
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel