Neighbours are terrified of our 12ft pet SNAKE – they should come and give her a hug instead of calling the police
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A FED-UP couple have pleaded with their terrified neighbours to stop calling the cops on their 12ft python - insisting it's a child-friendly harmless pet.
Faith Boyd and Calum McKenzie regularly let huge Athena go for a slither outside their council flat in Elgin, Moray.
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Neighbours were invited by Faith Boyd and Calum McKenzie to hug the snake
Credit: © Jasperimage.Com
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Athena is a 12ft python that lives with the couple in Elgin
Credit: © Jasperimage.Com
But they told how they've had animal welfare teams and police officers repeatedly turn up on their doorstep after being contacted by petrified locals.
Faith, 20, said: 'There is nothing to be scared of. Athena loves cuddles.
"They should just come up and give her a hug.
'She's not a danger to anyone and she absolutely loves getting some attention.
'If anyone gets a bit of a scare or into a panic, I wish they would talk to us directly rather than phoning the authorities.'
Calum and Faith got Athena about four months ago after she proved too big for her previous owner.
They gave her the run of their ground-floor pad and she gets one of the two bedrooms entirely to herself.
She's often let out to roam around the grass next to the tenement block, but the owners insist she's always under supervision.
And despite concerns from others, they have vowed never to keep the unusual pet cooped up inside.
Faith said: 'I love taking her out and about.
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'She's used to being out in the wild, so she should get to experience that.
'Snakes shouldn't be kept in a cage.
"When she's a bit older I'll be taking her for walks down the high street on a lead. I don't care if I get some funny looks.'
Faith and Calum also have two geckos and smaller ball pythons, called Nala and Rafiki.
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Faith and Calum have pleaded with their neighbours to stop calling the cops on their snake
Credit: © Jasperimage.Com
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The snake is said to be friendly and "likes cuddles" - but neighbours have raised concerns
Credit: © Jasperimage.Com
They stressed that none of the snakes are venomous and claim all are sociable.
Faith said the SSPCA inspectors spent 20 minutes with Athena and were happy with how she was being cared for.
While Calum said the last visit from the cops was about a month ago.
But the pair are worried that they're eventually forced to get rid of Athena if she keeps getting negative attention.
Faith said: 'She is too big for anyone else to take. I can't see her going to a zoo.
'So if we have to give her up she would probably be euthanised and I can't bear the thought of that.'
In a bid to put people's minds at rest, they put up an open invite on social media for everyone to come and see Athena.
One of their neighbours said: 'We live next door. We've got no issue with her. She's great.'
Little Aiden, nine, couldn't wait to stroke and pet Athena.
He said: 'Snakes are cute and they're misunderstood. I'm not scared.'
Jaden Anderson, 23, lives on the same estate and has no issues with Athena being out and about.
She said: 'As long as there is somebody with the snake then that's fine. It doesn't bother me - as long as it doesn't escape.'
Her pal Lucy Madsen, 28, added: 'At first I thought I wasn't going anywhere near it. But it was so placid that it really put me at ease.
'I was surprised. But I don't think I'd ever be putting it round my neck.'
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