So, by leaving his snake unattended and allowing it to kill Wilbur, my neighbour has done nothing wrong in the eyes of the law. Maybe so, but not in the eyes of everyone else that knows about this, who, as one, are horrified.

As if losing Wilbur in these circumstances wasn’t bad enough, what has made all this even harder to bear is the knowledge - gathered from the RSPCA and the Police - that legally no crime has been committed, so that in effect, nothing can be done, no-one is responsible, no-one can be held to account, and so he's died in vain. The modicum of justice we have achieved is for the snakes owner to be issued with a ‘verbal warning’ from the RSPCA (who’s hands were tied), so that if anything like this happens again, he will be prosecuted.

Well sorry, NO, that’s not good enough, not by a long chalk.....

As a good citizen, I wanted to warn other neighbours of the potential threat, so I duly ran this idea past the Police for their opinion. I was warned not to do a leaflet drop naming the snakes owner or his address to people who live in the vicinity or indeed to warn them of any potential threat to themselves, their children or pets; as we might be sued! The ‘what if a child is next.....’ scenario cuts no ice.

I tell you, the World’s gone bloody mad.

No, these photos haven’t been altered. Burmese pythons really do get that big - and bigger!