Python Kills 2 Boys in Campbellton; Strangles Children After Escaping From Exotic Pet Store (VIDEO, PHOTO)
A python has killed two young boys after escaping from a pet store in the Canadian province of New Brunswick, according to police.
The snake is believed to have escaped from its enclosure and traveled up ventilation ducts to the apartments located above the shop. It then killed two boys, aged five and seven years old, in Campbellton.
In a statement, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have said they believed the reptile had strangled the two boys, who were staying overnight at a friend's apartment above the pet shop.
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The pythong, which was originally thought to be a Boa Constrictor by authorities, has since been found and recaptured by police, and is no longer a danger to anyone in the local area.
Police received emergency calls on Monday after the two boys were found dead, according to a police statement.
The statement said, "The preliminary investigation has led police to believe that a large exotic snake had escaped its enclosure at the store sometime overnight, and got into the ventilation system, then into the upstairs apartment."
Post-mortem examinations will now be performed on the two boys, and as of Tuesday morning no charges have been made.
Campbellton's deputy mayor, Ian Comeau, has spoken on the deaths, describing them as a "tragedy."
He added, "The city is in shock."
Reptile Ocean, the exotic pet store located below where the deaths occurred, released the following statement on their Facebook page: "Deepest sympathies goes out to the family of the children. A terrible accident without a meaning."
The page has been used by dozens of people to attack the owners of the store since news of the deaths spread, and in response to those malicious messages, the store also added, "This page will be shut down temporarily to avoid any further demeaning comments. You should be ashamed of yourselves. We all have a heavy heart today. As anyone would. And attacks on the animals owner are unnecessary."
The owner of Reptile Ocean has owned the snake since 2001.
This is a video news report into the incident:
