UPDATE 8/6/21- The West African Banded Cobra is still missing, and the owner says it’s possible the snake is dead. However authorities are continuing to search for the six foot long cobra that’s now made national news.
Grand Prairie Animal Services reminds residents not to panic if they spot the snake, and please only call if you have a lead. General inquiries about the snake can slow down officer response time for our community.
If you see the cobra, please call 911. Do not approach or attempt to handle the snake.
As a reminder wild animals are not allowed to be kept within Grand Prairie city limits as per the ordinance set in section 5-31.
A wild animal is defined as any animal that is not of a common domestic species and constitutes a danger to human life.
Missing Cobra On The Loose In Grand Prairie
On Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at around 6:30 P.M., Grand Prairie Animal Services responded to a report of a missing snake from a residence in the 1800 block of Cherry Street. The owner noticed his venomous West African Banded Cobra snake, permitted by the State of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, missing from its enclosure around 5:00 P.M.
Animal Services, the owner, and a venomous snake apprehension professional actively searched for the snake inside and outside of the residence through the night with no success.
Residents who live in the area and see any type of snake believed to be the missing cobra, are asked to call 911 immediately.
**Do not approach or attempt to capture the venomous snake**
The Grand Prairie Police Department has partnered with the Grand Prairie Fire Department who has alerted area hospitals of the missing snake and initiated a protocol with Parkland hospital to treat this type of snake bite in event of a human encounter. GPPD has also been in contact with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department related to policy and procedures on the permitting of venomous snakes in residential areas.
A photo of a similar West African Banded Cobra is attached as a reference as shared by Grand Prairie Police Department.
