SANDAKAN: A python invaded a cat’s enclosure and devoured one of the five kittens at the backyard of a house near a primary school in Jalan Cecily on Saturday.
The owner, who had been checking on the kittens in the backyard, spotted the python in the corner of the cage consuming one of the pets. The mother cat was not around at the time of the attack.
Fearing for their safety and that of the neighbourhood, the owner immediately contacted MERS 999 for assistance.
The Sandakan Civil Defence Force (APM) received an alert from the State APM Operations Control Centre (PKON) at 10.12 am regarding the incident.
A team of one officer and four personnel was despatched to the scene. Upon arrival at 10.32 am, the APM team acted swiftly to capture the estimated 5 kg, 2.5-metre-long python within 30 minutes.
Using two snake tongs, the team first relocated the four surviving kittens to a safe area before catching the reptile. The snake was put in a bag and taken away before being released into its natural habitat.
No human casualties or injuries occurred during the operation. The APM team returned to the Sandakan Operations Control Centre (PKOD) by 11.31 am. – James Leong
