OWNERS of snakes and other exotic pets will no longer be able to give authorities the slip.

Tough new rules on keeping so-called designer pets have been unveiled, which will mean that owners will be more accountable.

From now on, special licences will be needed to own potentially dangerous pets, such as snakes or poisonous spiders.

And if they escape owners will be liable to pay the cost of recapturing them.

The move, which updates the 1976 Dangerous Wild Animals Act, has been welcomed by the RSPCA.

A fortnight ago the organisation was called to a lake in Cheney Manor after a bag containing 10 dead snakes was found dumped.

And in February a live 8ft boa constrictor was left on a Swindon bus.

Swindon's RSPCA Inspector Stephanie Daly said drastic action was needed. "Hopefully these changes will make it harder for people to get hold of these animals," she said.

"People should not buy snakes and other exotic animals unless they have specialist knowledge of them.

"In the case of the snake on the bus, we suspect that it belonged to a child.

"The problem is that people think that they make really cool, unusual pets. But when they realise that having such a pet is a chore they lose interest and get rid of it."

Inspector Daly stressed that different species had different dietary requirements something many people fail to take on board before splashing out on such creatures.

She said: "Some snakes, for example, may only need feeding once a month while others will need a couple of mice each day."

Although trained to deal with potentially lethal animals, the experienced inspector says each case is a drain on resources.

On weekends her normal patch, which covers the area between Faringdon in the north to the M4 in the south, expands to include parts of Dorset.

"I can deal with the spiders and smaller corn snakes on my own, but the larger ones, such as the constrictors, need two people," she said.

"This would mean that I would have to call in another inspector from Chippenham or Devizes."

Currently, snakes needing a new home are taken to a shelter in Surrey, but pressure of space is mounting.

The inspector said: "We can't keep sending animals down there. Eventually the people may get fed up and say no to any more.

"While the RSPCA is busy dealing with one of these incidents, an animal could be getting abused."

Boa-constrictor found on a bus

JUNE: A bag containing 10 rotting snakes was found at a lake in Cheney Manor. One a red blood python was pregnant and expecting 30 babies.

FEBRUARY: A 9ft boa-constrictor was found by staff in a taped-up polystyrene box on board a number 55 bus.

MARCH 2002: A baby King Californian snake was found at the back of houses in Cambria Place.

MARCH 2001: Workmen in London Road, Marlborough, discovered a 4ft rat snake.

Kevin Shoesmith