You really can't make this stuff up. Out in Darlington, County Durham, people are just trying to live their lives and get their game on at the Blackwell Grange Golf Club, but instead, they’re out here dodging 10-foot boa constrictors. Two massive, three-meter snakes were found abandoned on the course just one week apart, and it’s got the whole community talking about how crazy some pet owners really are. Leaving massive, sick predators out where kids are playing is a major violation.

Let’s talk about how this went down. On June 13, 2026, a bunch of kids were out taking a golf lesson. A 12-year-old girl takes her shot, and her ball lands straight on top of a giant snake. Most people would have lost their minds, but the golf coach, Aaron Cox, kept it 100. This man is 40 years old and moved to the UK from Australia eight years ago, so he’s used to dealing with all kinds of wild creatures. Cox grabbed his golf club, safely moved the boa into a box, and kept the kids safe. But the madness didn't stop there. Just one week later, on June 20, he found another huge boa chilling near the rough and had to box that one up too.

Cox took both of the snakes to a local reptile shop to get them checked out, but it was already too late. Both of these beautiful creatures were completely "riddled with disease" and died shortly after. It’s a tragic situation because these animals didn't have to suffer like that. Boas are native to South America, they grow over 10 feet long, and they can live for over 30 years. They aren't venomous and usually don’t mess with humans, but they need a ton of food, heat, and proper care.

What happened here is clear: some local owner got in over their head. The food bill started stacking up, the snakes got sick, and instead of doing the right thing, the owner decided to act like a coward. They didn't take them to a vet, a pet shop, or the RSPCA. They just drove down to the golf course and dumped them in the grass to die. Coach Cox called it exactly what it is—a shame and a cruel act. He made it clear that if you can't handle the grind of taking care of a pet, you shouldn't be buying one in the first place.

Cox also pointed out that this isn't just a one-off thing. While native adders are normal in the UK, these massive tropical snakes are unheard of in County Durham. And get this—he said there are three more of these huge snakes currently loose down in North Yorkshire. It looks like a bunch of people are dumping their exotic pets because they can't handle the responsibility when things get real.