MICHAEL MCCANN FROM SOUTH SHIELDS SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC ATTACK ON SNAKE

Michael Anthony McCann, born on November 26, 1984, who has no fixed address but was previously residing at The St Thomas Complex on Belgrave Terrace in South Shields, was convicted of a disturbing and brutal act involving a defenseless snake. The incident, which took place at his former hostel residence in South Shields, involved McCann fatally stabbing a snake in the head with a screwdriver, an act that has shocked the local community and animal welfare advocates alike.

Magistrates sentenced McCann to a 17-week jail term after he chose not to have the case reopened when he eventually appeared before the court. The court was informed that the attack was particularly heinous, with the impact so severe that the snake’s teeth and jaw became embedded in a nearby carpet. The snake, a boa constrictor approximately three feet long, was believed to have been delivered to the hostel via the letterbox a few days prior to the attack, raising concerns about the circumstances of its arrival and the apparent neglect or abandonment.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that McCann was previously convicted in his absence on May 28, 2020, for causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. The court noted that this recent attack occurred just days after the snake allegedly attacked a second individual, Stewart Haywood, who was involved in the case. Prosecutor Stewart Haywood stated that McCann was willing to accept full responsibility when questioned by RSPCA officers, indicating a level of remorse or acknowledgment of his actions.

RSPCA Inspector Rachael Hurst, who led the investigation, explained that no one appeared to know the origin of the snake or who owned it. She stated, “No one seemed to own the snake or knew where he had come from but they believed he had been posted through the letterbox. He had been in the porch for a few days and nobody had mentioned it or attempted to move him.”

A veterinary report detailed the extent of the snake’s injuries, noting that “if this wound was inflicted without further attention, and the snake left impaled to the floor, this would have resulted in pain, stress and suffering on the animal. This wound alone would not be expected to cause death without a significant time delay.” The report emphasized the prolonged suffering the snake endured before succumbing.

Following the sentencing, Inspector Hurst condemned the attack as “unacceptable,” highlighting the cruelty involved. She added, “This poor snake was already in a poor condition and was likely extremely frightened and confused. He needed help but, instead, was viciously attacked, seriously injured and left to die, as vets suspect, a long and slow death.”

In addition to the jail sentence, McCann was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £128, and he was disqualified from owning, keeping, or transporting any animals for a period of ten years. Authorities also noted that McCann may now be residing in the Whitley Bay area, with recent sightings near North Parade, raising ongoing concerns about his whereabouts and potential future incidents.