Corn snake stuck in keyring freed by firefighters

A pet owner has thanked firefighters for rescuing her three‑foot corn snake after he became trapped inside a key ring during an animal therapy visit.

Pepsi, who regularly helps children and mental health patients through Animal Tastic, was being handled by a hospital staff member when he unexpectedly threaded himself through a metal key ring attached to her lanyard.

Sarah Foxall, from Willenhall in the West Midlands, who runs the therapy service, said: "It was a complete accident. In all my years doing animal work, I've never had anything like this happen."

The former zoo keeper said after failing to try and free Pepsi at home, she called firefighters, who told her to bring him straight in.

They used specialist ring‑cutting equipment to carefully release the snake. The crew carried out the delicate work on a bench outside the station.

Foxall said: "He'd managed to wedge himself too tightly. I honestly can't thank the crew enough for what they did.

"They did it on the bench outside and within 10 minutes he was free and happy. He's got a couple of bruises, but he's fine and recovering at home."

West Midlands Fire Service said this was not a typical call-out.

"Another reminder that our crews never know quite what they'll be helping with when they turn up to work," it added.

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