40 Serpents Recovered From Walmart Parking Lot

PARAGOULD, AR (KAIT) - Grocery baskets and cars were not the only things found outside of the Paragould Walmart, 2802 West Kingshighway, after someone left possibly 40 snakes in the parking lot. According to Detective Jack Hailey with the Paragould Police Department, they received the call about the snakes Sunday night. “At first, they were saying the snakes were copperheads and water moccasins,” said Hailey. “But, after we got one of our officers who is apparently some sort of snake whisperer, we learned that they were non-venomous garden snakes.” Hailey said it appeared that someone had captured the snakes and just dumped them in a pile. “They were either herding the snakes when they were frog gigging or something,” said Hailey. “Either way, they were collecting them for this reason and I don’t think that was the best thing to do at all. Especially, those out there with a phobia.” Hailey said though no one was reported injured in the incident, it could have been a different story. Poisonous or not, it is dangerous when you put snakes in a busy area,” said Hailey. “It could cause a panic with people trying to get away.