Snake sightings can be a terrifying experience for many people (See below article). If you ever find yourself in a harrowing situation like this one, don't hesitate to call us at SSSAFE, no matter where you may be. Remember the SSSAFE motto, Learn to be calm, effective and in control...Sometimes just being able to reach someone on the phone can make all the difference.
Curiously, there a number of coincidences at play here in the article below: For instance, SSSAFE directors Craig and Jackie used to work with Meredith Schetrumpf and, stranger still, Meredith's ordeal began on Craig's birthday, the 18th March!
The reproduction of this article has since put us back in contact and naturally, we were able to have a discussion about the pros and cons of having a redbelly black snake move-in and what that might mean for herself as well as her pet dog? So, should that big old black snake ever show up again, we now have the assurance from Meredith that she will immediately contact SSSAFE.
Budgewoi pensioner trapped in home for six days by snake
Central Coast Express Advocate3 0 MAR 11 BY ERROL SMITH
A FRIGHTENED woman was a prisoner in her own home for six days after a large black snake set up camp at her front gate. Disabled pensioner Meredith Schetrumpf, of Delia Ave, Budgewoi, phoned numerous organisations for help but without success. She’s now campaigning for the establishment of an emergency snake recovery service, similar to the ‘vicious dog’ collection service provided by council rangers. Ms Schetrumpf receives a disability pension and lives alone with her pet dog, Jack, following the death of her husband. On March 18, she looked out her window to see a 2m red-bellied black snake curled up at the gate on the path outside her front door.
Meredith SchetrumpfTerrified it might enter her house she phoned police, her local MP and Wyong Council who gave her several numbers to call for help. However the numbers were either disconnected or didn’t answer. One organisation that did answer the phone was WIRES which said they would only come out if the snake was injured. Scared and frustrated Ms Schetrumpf was eventually put on to a snake handler at Maitland the following Wednesday who for an $80 fee came to her rescue. “For six days I was a prisoner in my house,” she said. “I know many of our local organisations are volunteers and they’re very busy. “But not to be able to get anyone at all locally to help was very disappointing.” “Why can’t the council have someone on staff who is adept at handling snakes and can help in these emergencies?”