On Monday, September 14, 2026, officers from the Franklin Township Police Department in New Jersey took the unusual step of removing an entire front grille from a vehicle in order to free a three‑foot ball python that had become lodged inside. The reptile was discovered stuck in the car’s front grill, prompting a call for police assistance.
Responding to the report, several officers arrived at the scene and assessed the situation. Rather than attempting to extract the snake through the opening, they decided that the quickest and safest method was to detach the grille completely. The removal was carried out using standard police tools, allowing the animal to be released without damage to the vehicle or the snake.
The operation was captured on body‑camera footage that the department later released to the public. The video shows the officers carefully loosening the grille bolts, lifting the metal piece away, and gently lifting the snake onto a handler’s glove before returning the grille to its place. No injuries were reported to either the officers or the animal.
Ball pythons are among the most common pet snakes in the United States, favored for their manageable size and docile temperament. Incidents of pets becoming trapped in vehicles are rare, but the Franklin Township case illustrates the type of emergency response that local law enforcement may be called upon to provide.
The department’s decision to share the body‑camera recording was intended to demonstrate the thoroughness of the response and to inform residents about the resources available for unusual animal‑related emergencies. The footage received attention on social media, where viewers noted the careful handling of both the vehicle and the snake.