A housing dispute in Wales has taken an unusual turn. A couple in Abergele say they're being pushed out of the home they've lived in for 24 years because of their pet python.
Here's what to know
The Rhyl Journal reported that the couple believes their housing association, ClwydAlyn, is pushing them out of their home because of Gruber, their pet African rock python, which they say is about eight feet long. At a September 23 meeting with ClwydAlyn officials, Mrs. Powell said she felt "ambushed."
They also said the housing association has set a "no visits" rule for their home. Gruber has lived with them the entire time they've been there, they said, and no one had objected to him before.
Mrs. Powell said, "The snake has been with us for 24 years, and we've been in the property for 24 years. He causes no problems, and is locked in a cage. I've got no idea why they've suddenly got a problem with us keeping a snake. They didn't give us an explanation. I said, 'If you have a problem with the snake, why didn't you get in touch with us earlier about it?'
"We've had workers at the house, housing officers… it's not done anybody any harm. It sits in its cage and can't get out. Only now, after so many years, ClwydAlyn have started to bring it up."
Nothing in the report suggests Gruber has harmed anyone.
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The snake dispute comes alongside other tensions. The Journal reported in August that the couple described antisocial behavior in their area as "persistent" and "devastating." They said it has gone on for eight years, police have been called repeatedly, and in one case, a restraining order was put in place to protect them.
Sally Tonks, housing operations manager at ClwydAlyn, said, "We recently met with Mr and Mrs Powell, and our team is working to resolve any concerns. We can't comment on the specifics of individual tenancies and situations.
"As an organisation, we are committed to ensuring that we are open and honest with our residents, and that we act on resident concerns."
Where can I learn more?
Other stories involving pythons and wildlife-related neighborhood tensions help explain why a large snake can quickly become a flashpoint. They range from python rescues in Singapore and Los Angeles to reports of wild animals alarming residents in Florida, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Japan.
• In Singapore, park contractors rescue a python from a drain after workers flag them down.
• In downtown Los Angeles, rescuers pull a 20-foot python from a dumpster after abandonment.
• In Florida, video of a giant snake nest fueled fears as protective pythons guarded eggs.
• In the San Francisco Bay Area, officials warn of dangerous beasts wreaking havoc in neighborhoods.
• In Nagano Prefecture, Japan, hunters are on the rise as bear encounters spread into communities.
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