Spitting Cobra Caught After Several Days on the Loose in North Carolina Neighborhood

Venomous snakes are nothing new in North Carolina, but a spitting cobra that was on the loose for several days last week had many people worried.

According to USA Today, the pet zebra cobra excaped from a home in Raleigh. Local police sent out a warning to the neighborhood's residents at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday warning them about the dangerous snake.

According to CBS News, the cobra had been spotted on a neighbor's porch at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 28, but an animal control officer was unable to locate it.

A reporter for CBS 17 saw the snake on the same home's front porch on Wednesday while preparing a news report about its escape. She alerted authorities, who were able to capture it later that day.

Native to Africa, the zebra cobra is shy and will try to escape if confronted, but if cornered it can bite or spit. Someone bitten by the snake could suffer tissue damage or even die.

Deirdre O'Malley, a neighborhood resident, told The News & Observer she felt relief over the snake's capture.

It just seems like an awful lot for people to have to do for someone else's negligence, doesn't it? she said.

In North Carolina it's unlawful for any person to own, possess, use, transport, or traffic in any venomous reptile that is not housed in a sturdy and secure enclosure.

Police have not stated if the snake's owner will face any charges.

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