A Scioto County Sheriff’s deputy answered a call about a snake in a Lucasville home, but by the time he arrived, the emergency had slithered away.
The woman called authorities after discovering a snake inside her house and wanted help removing it.
🐍 SNAKE GONE BEFORE DEPUTY ARRIVES
Before the deputy could get there, a neighbor stepped in and removed the unwanted visitor.
That left deputies with no snake to catch and no criminal complaint to investigate.
💡 DEPUTY HELPS WITH LIGHT BULB
The call could have ended there.
Instead, the woman asked the deputy for help changing a light bulb in her living room.
According to the report, the deputy obliged and replaced the bulb before leaving.
❤️ THE CALLS YOU DON’T HEAR ABOUT
Law enforcement officers often find themselves handling far more than crimes and emergencies.
Across Scioto County, deputies regularly assist elderly residents, stranded motorists, people experiencing mental health crises, and citizens who simply need a helping hand.
Those interactions rarely make headlines, but they are a routine part of policing in small communities.
🐍 KNOW YOUR SOUTHERN OHIO SNAKES
The snake in this case was removed before deputies arrived, and the species was not identified.
Most snakes found around homes in Southern Ohio are harmless.
Common non-venomous species include:
- Black Rat Snakes
- Garter Snakes
- Northern Water Snakes
- Milk Snakes
The only venomous snakes commonly found in Ohio are:
- Copperheads
- Timber Rattlesnakes
- Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes
Copperheads are the species residents are most likely to encounter in Southern Ohio, though even they generally avoid people when given the chance.
⚠️ WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A SNAKE
Wildlife experts recommend:
✔ Stay calm
✔ Keep children and pets away
✔ Do not attempt to handle an unknown snake
✔ Allow it an escape route if possible
✔ Contact wildlife professionals if removal is needed
Most snakes play an important role in controlling rodents and other pests and would much rather avoid humans than interact with them.
😊 A HAPPY ENDING
In the end, the snake was removed, the light bulb got changed, and nobody ended up in handcuffs.
For one Lucasville resident, the deputy solved two problems with a single visit.