By Associated Press - Tuesday, September 25, 2018

HAMDEN, Conn. (AP) - A Connecticut man trying to be a friend to the environment when he picked up a bag of trash got a dangerous surprise.

Police in Hamden say the man threw the bag into a trash can at his home, and the next day found a venomous copperhead snake in the can.

Assistant Animal Control Officer Mitch Gibbs said in a statement Tuesday the man is a frequent visitor West Rock Ridge State Park.



He noticed the trash bag near the park last week so grabbed it and took it home to properly dispose of it. A day later he saw the snake in his trash can.

The man called Gibbs, who informed state environmental officials, and then returned the snake to the park.

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.