Residents of a downtown Los Angeles apartment complex were startled to find a 20-foot python in a dumpster on Tuesday, a discovery that would likely make anyone's garbage run memorable. Joseph Hart, known as the "Reptile Hunter," took the call after local authorities and animal control could not offer immediate assistance. According to ABC7, Hart indicated that the python, now named Apple, had a bacterial infection known as mouth rot, which he believes could have been the reason behind the snake's careless abandonment.
While Hart was able to safely rescue the snake with what he described as "good old-fashioned animal wrangling," the health issues of the python, particularly around its mouth, were evident. With no small task ahead, Hart is set to rehabilitate Apple back to health, expecting a full recovery within about three months. He was quoted by CBS News as saying, "That's just good old-fashioned animal wrangling is how I got her out of the dumpster," noting the frightened state of the animal amidst a crowd of onlookers.
Teresa Sanchez, a resident who first stumbled upon the large reptile, at first mistook it for a toy or taxidermy, until the python moved, as she recounted to KTLA. Her concern was piqued not only for human neighbors but also for the many pets and small children living in the complex. After unsuccessful attempts to contact animal control and the local police, who expressed their inability to assist with "these are not the usual things we provide support with," Sanchez continued her search for help, leading her to Hart.
Another bystander, observing the sick python, noted, "Its mouth was swollen and it couldn't open its mouth," portraying the dire situation of the reptile before Hart intervened. This bystander, after hearing from several animal groups willing only to euthanize the snake, sought to find a more compassionate solution, ultimately connecting with Hart, famed for his website's mission to "promote wildlife conservation through animal rehabilitation and public education." Sanchez, along with other residents, is left with lingering questions about who could have abandoned such a large and majestic creature, particularly in such a neglected state, as the snake's ownership remains unclear.
