PET shops across East Lancashire are to offer a way out for struggling snake owners.

Venom Reptiles in Waterfoot, Robertson’s Reef and Reptile in Accrington, and Aquamania in Blackburn said they are launching a snake amnesty after a 14-foot-long python was found dead by the Leeds and Liverpool canal in Rishton at the weekend.

Brett Holt, 25, has co-owned Venom Reptiles, in Burnley Road East with his partner, 22-year-old Megan McQuillan since last September.

He said: “We had no experience in shop owning, but we have always had a passion for reptiles.

“At one point I had 29 tanks in my house before I got a shop, so it knocks me absolutely sick to see snakes dumped like this.

“Several times I have gone home and there’s been a snake wrapped in a duvet left on my doorstep. We have signs in the windows and we tell people there are no questions asked if they don’t want their snake anymore.

“They don’t need to dump them, I will even go and collect the animals.”

Thomas Robertson, from Robertson’s Reef and Reptile, in Whalley Road, said: “We took in a snake about two months ago.

“The owner thought he would get in trouble with the police because it had not been well looked after but that’s not the case.

“There’s a lot of misinformation and people think the police will be waiting for them, but these animals have to be respected. They can’t survive without us.”

A spokeswoman for Aquamania, in Higher Audley Street, said the store was taking part in the amnesty, but due to a lack of space could only take in smaller reptiles.

She said: “We don’t have the space for a 16-feet-long reticulated python.”

David McGlynn, owner of Reptile Wonderland in High Street, Rishton, came up with the idea of the amnesty and he would direct anyone who needed help to the three companies.

On Sunday, a 14-feet-long reticulated python was removed from the canal bank close to the High Street bank after being ‘heartlessly’ dumped.

And last June, animal welfare officers had to contact canal officials after the de-composing carcass of a 10ft snake was found in the water at Huncoat.

It was thought the animal had been dumped so its owner could avoid the cost of disposing of it.

Wildlife officer PC Nigel Keates said: “I certainly think an amnesty is a good idea."

“The police do amnesties on a number of things, such as knives and guns, so I can only think this is a good idea.

“I take it the shops are responsible pet shops and they will find responsible owners.”

A police investigation in to the circumstances surrounding the find of the 14-foot-long python remains ongoing.