Texas Police Rescue Firefighters from 'Uninvited' Snake Stuck in Firehouse Chair
The Little Elm Police Department in Texas helped the Little Elm Fire Department remove a snake that was found in a firehouse chair
The creature was initially thought to be a venomous cottonmouth, but turned out to be a "plain-bellied water snake"
The Little Elm Fire Department said that its recliner chairs have since "filed a formal complaint and are undergoing emotional support reupholstery"A fire department in Texas is thanking its local police department for stepping in to handle a "slithery squatter" found at a firehouse.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, June 3, the Little Elm Police Department shared photos of its officers retrieving a snake from a firehouse on behalf of the Little Elm Fire Department.
"We'd like to formally thank the Fire Department…for sleeping soundly while WE found a snake in their chair!!" the police wrote. "Snake's out. Firefighters are safe. Chairs may never recover."
The Little Elm Fire Department issued its own news release on the same day, further elaborating on what happened.
"While our firefighters were catching up on some well-earned rest (essential for saving lives and fighting fires), a slithery squatter decided to settle into our station furniture," the statement read.
"Thankfully, our friends in blue stepped in to help. Initial reports claimed it was a venomous intruder, but upon further inspection, it turned out to be about as threatening as a garden hose," The Little Elm Fire Department added.
The Little Elm Police Department updated its Facebook post to say the snake stowaway was not a venomous cottonmouth, as initially thought, but a "plain-bellied water snake." However, it added, "Still uninvited. Still not paying rent."
The police department also offered tips on handling a cottonmouth encounter in case one of their followers crossed paths with one of the snakes. The agency recommended staying calm, keeping one's distance, calling a professional, and not handling the snake yourself.
The Little Elm Fire Department maintained a sense of humor amid the drama, stating that its recliner chairs have since "filed a formal complaint and are undergoing emotional support reupholstery."
The fire department noted that no firefighters, snakes, or police officers were harmed during the reptile extraction. The incident's sole victim was the recliner the snake hid inside, which had to be disassembled and reassembled to evict the snake.
"While the snake was simply chilling, we sincerely appreciate LEPD's quick response and top-tier commentary, which kept everyone safe and thoroughly entertained," said the fire department on a somewhat serious note.
The fire department concluded its statement by asking people to stay safe and check their chairs before sitting down.
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