Snakes stolen from pet shop
Potentially deadly snakes and other rare reptiles have been stolen during a raid on a Great Barr pet shop. Police are appealing for help to trace the animals.
Boa constrictors and pythons are among the 98 exotic animals seized during a raid at Birmingham Reptiles and Exotics in Walsall Road.
Police fear the reptiles, which are worth thousands of pounds, are now being sold on the black market in the West Midlands.
The gang also made off with 57 rare tortoises and chameleons as well as the six boa constrictors, 21 bull pythons and two Brazilian rainbow boa constrictors.
Equipment including a heat mat, a power sun bulb and heat rocks was taken as well.
Adam Compton, reptile specialist at the shop, said he thought the animals could have been stolen to order.
"We put a lot of hard work into looking after the animals and getting them to feed so we are concerned about their welfare," he said. "If they are not being looked after properly, they are going to die."
Mr Compton said one of the tortoises alone cost £140 and the reptiles had been imported from across the world.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dc Louise Needham on 0121 428 6080.
