Snake in Fall River apartment eludes capture

FALL RIVER, Mass.—A Fall River landlord has a slithery uninvited tenant in his apartment building that he just can’t seem to get rid off.

A boa constrictor estimated to be 5 feet long has been seen since last weekend sunning itself on the roof of Roy Oliveira’s six-unit apartment building. Efforts by local animal control officers and the Animal Rescue League to capture the snake have so far failed, because the reptile slithers into the attic when approached.

The plan is to set a trap in the attic. Authorities said the snake poses no threat to people.

City animal control supervisor Cindy Berard told The Herald News the concern is for the safety of the snake, native to warmer climates, because it cannot survive New England winters.

No one has claimed to be the snake’s owner.