A dog's face got stuck in the arms of a snake

Snake specialist Bruce Ireland received a distressed call from a dog owner. The woman reported that her black Labrador, Casey, had a large snake wrapped around its muzzle. She included a photo with the message, so Ireland immediately went to the scene.

The footage, which quickly went viral, shows six-year-old Casey standing calmly while the reptile tightly coiled around her muzzle. The rescuer used some of the dog's favorite treats and waited for Casey to release the snake. The reptile, which suffered minor injuries, was released back into the wild.

It turned out to be a gopher snake, a nonvenomous species common in Southern California. It is known for its ability to mimic the behavior of rattlesnakes. According to the California Herps database, adults of this species (Pituophis catenifer annectens) can reach over two meters in length. Despite their menacing appearance, they are harmless to humans and even beneficial, helping to control rodent populations.

Ireland, who heads the largest volunteer snake relocation service in the United States, noted that his team responds to thousands of such calls each year. He emphasized that the key during rescues is to act calmly and not harm either the animals or people.