12-Foot Python Captured in Louisiana Resident’s Backyard

A Houma resident got an unexpected visitor over the weekend when a massive python slithered up from the bayou behind his home, causing a stir in the neighborhood.

Bradley Lirette discovered the 12-foot python coiled up in one of his flower pots on Saturday. Lirette, who spoke with WWL, said the bright yellow color of the snake caught his eye as he was walking by. After snapping a picture, he ran to call the police department. Upon returning to count his geese, Lirette noticed that two of his three-month-old geese were missing, leading him to believe the python had eaten them.

Houma Police Department responded quickly to Lirette's call. Officer Donald Aubrey, more accustomed to apprehending criminals than handling large reptiles, took charge of the situation. With Lirette's help, Officer Aubrey managed to wrangle the aggressive python into a pillowcase, an effort captured on cellphone video.

Chief Travis Theriot praised Officer Aubrey for his quick thinking and professional handling of the unusual situation. “In 25 years on the police department, that’s the first time I’ve seen us catch a snake that large,” Theriot said. “We’ve caught pythons before, small ones around hurricanes, but nothing that large.”

Theriot suggested that the python was likely an abandoned pet that had grown too large for its owner to handle. "When someone takes these animals, these reptiles as a pet, the answer isn’t to release them into the wild when you get tired of it. You would have the situation like what’s going on in Florida now, where they just take over," Theriot warned.

The python was turned over to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). According to Chief Theriot, the snake will not be released back into the wild.

While the incident was terrifying for Lirette, he commended Officer Aubrey for showing no fear in the face of the massive snake. Officer Aubrey is now taking a few well-deserved days off, and Chief Theriot looks forward to discussing the encounter with him upon his return.

The Houma Police Department and LDWF remind residents to handle exotic pets responsibly and seek proper channels if they can no longer care for them.