DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A DeKalb County woman says she was terrified when she walked into her apartment’s bathroom and found a python slithering up the wall.
Gwendolyn Howard told Channel 2s' Rikki Klaus, what made things even more frustrating for her, was when she called the apartment complex for help, they told her to file a work order.
Howard ended up calling animal services to have the snake removed.
"I walked in, just ready to start my day," Howard said about the morning she found the snake in her bathroom at the Clifton Glen Apartment in Stone Mountain Monday morning.
"I walked in the bathroom, and it looked like an earthquake had hit it," Howard told Klaus.
She said bottles of expensive perfume and candle holders were shattered.
"Then I looked to the left, and there's a huge python, slowly making its way up my wall, hanging from a Glade Plugin, and I was like, 'OK,' and I just backed up," Howard said. "It was definitely a scary experience."
TRENDING STORIES:
- Georgia Army photographer's chilling last picture was of the bomb blast that killed her
- Family sees 'sign from heaven' at site of deadly crash
- Atlanta man, girlfriend's hands bound during murder in Belize
Howard told Klaus she barricaded the bathroom door, then called police, firefighters, dispatch and her apartment complex.
"It was their after-hours number that offered to put in a work order, like it's a dishwasher, but I’m like this should have been a higher priority," Howard said.
A DeKalb County Animal Services officer came out. Howard said the officer confessed to being scared of snakes, but in cellphone video Howard shared with Klaus, you see the officer capture the ball python.
"It was a true testament of bravery to see someone actually face their fears to help you, for the sake of their job. That was amazing," Howard told Klaus.
Animal Services said the snake was likely a lost pet. They told Klaus that ball pythons are non-venomous, exotic, and not native to Georgia.
A spokesperson for the complex called Klaus while she was meeting with Howard.
The group's statement reads, in part: "The officers, who safely removed the snake, believe it belonged to another resident and was being kept as a pet against our policy."
The complex sent out a reminder to residents that exotic animals and reptiles are forbidden. The complex said it plans to reimburse Howard for the damage in the bathroom.
Cox Media Group
