Berlin – A major three-week search operation for a venomous snake lurking in a house in Germany that has gripped the nation ended on Thursday with the reptile’s death and a painful bill for its owner.
“Everything has had a happy end,” said a spokesman for the town of Muelheim in western Germany.
“Not for the snake but for us.”
The young, 30-centimetre monocle cobra, which as adults can grow to 1,5 metres, slithered out of sight three weeks ago, prompting an evacuation and the fire brigade ripping up floorboards.
In the end the snake, which has not been named, got stuck in one of several traps set by the fire brigade and expired from exhaustion.
Its owner, 19, now has to pay up to €100 000 in costs, the town’s spokesman said.