TERRIFIED residents were given the shock of their lives after two snakes were found "dumped" in Thackley.

The snakes - one a 9ft albino python and the other, a 3ft common python, were discovered on Ainsbury Avenue.

Concerned animal enthusiast Pete Schofield, 51, from Eccleshill saw reports on social media and knew he had to do something to help.

Pete Schofield with the 9ft python he rescued

He keeps snakes and reptiles himself and rushed to the scene this morning.

"To my amazement, there was a 9ft albino python. It is huge - it would take a dog."

And he said while the snake is not poisonous, it does have the potential to attack.

But undeterred, Mr Schofield picked the snake up and took the snake - which he has named Lucky - back home to bathe it.

"She was at death's door," he said. "She would not have lasted much longer, she was that chilled.

"She would have had a slow and painful death."

He added: "People were terrified, which you would be. These things are huge."

However, Mr Schofield described the aptly named Lucky as "absolutely beautiful" and believes "100 per cent" that she, along with the other snake, were dumped deliberately.

He said they were both in duvets and plastic tubs of food had been left with them.

"It's criminal they've done it - the people who've done it should be prosecuted," he said, describing the culprits as "absolutely terrible people" and called for animals like this to be chipped.

Another snake handler came to the rescue of the second snake and they are now in the care of Predators Exotic Pets in Shipley and in quarantine. It’s thought it will be at least two months until they will be able to be adopted.

Mr Schofield added that he would love to take Lucky on, but unfortunately doesn't have the proper facilities to do so.

It's not the first time a snake has caused alarm in Bradford.

Visitors to Roberts Park in Saltaire were given a fright when former snake breeder Bilal Israil took his 15ft long Reticulated Python Ethel out for some fresh air.