Oxford residents sent into frenzy after claims ‘highly venomous’ snake missing and on the loose

Residents in Oxford have been sent into a frenzy after a “highly venomous” snake was reported as on the loose.

A poster was put up in the City of Dreaming Spires showing the “missing snake” with “attention” spelt out all capped up and in a red font.

The poster, which was attached to a lamppost near Barefoot Cafe in Walton Street on Friday, warned: “Highly venomous, do not approach! Please call on 01865236780.

It added: “Do not call the police or they will take her away from me.”

The photo attached to the poster is believed to have been an image of a cobra.

The phone number is also not contactable, with an automated message instead saying the digits had not been recognised.

There is growing speculation the poster might be a prank.

However, Thames Valley Police issued an update about a potential missing snake.

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A spokesperson from the force said: “This poster has been reported to us so we are aware but no investigation is ongoing and no actual sightings of the snake have been reported to us.”

An anonymous Hayfield Road resident also suggested it could all be a prank in a post on a local Facebook group.

They wrote: “One of our neighbours has tried the phone number and says it’s disconnected. Is it all a hoax?”

“Or is it a horror story waiting to happen when a dog walker comes face-to-face on the towpath with this deadly predator?”

Alex Hollingsworth, who is a City Councillor for Carfax and Jericho, added: “I think it’s a hoax.

“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.”

He added: “I am sure that those who are experts in cobras will be able to say it. But it does seem to be a hoax but it’s just not very funny.”

The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 allows Britons to own venomous snakes with a licence.

The legislation includes cobras, coral snakes, kraits, mambas, whipsnakes and all Australian poisonous snakes.

Owners looking to secure a licence must be over 18, keep the animal in a secure location to prevent escape and must undergo a property inspection.