A yellow rat snake frightened residents when it suddenly appeared from a drain in Brampton’s Torbram Road and Clarke Boulevard area.

“It was a bit shocking and frightening to see a snake coming out of a drain,” said Kristian Murray of Brampton, who spotted the snake while walking his dog on Ellerslie Road. “First I saw it in the drain. I thought — it’s a joke, but then the head of the snake kind of moved and I held my dog back. Children were also coming back from school and I didn't want them to go close.”

The incident took place around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14, on Ellerslie Road in Brampton’s Torbram Road and Clarke Street area.

One resident came out with a broom while Murray called Brampton Animal Services at 311.

Shortly afterwards, two brave female officers showed up.

“By then the snake crawled out of the drain and went underneath a nearby car. But the officers were very brave and professional. One went underneath the car and actually managed to get the snake out from under the car and catch it.”

The Facebook video shows both officers trying to grab the snake with their hands.

According to Brampton Animal Services, it was an approximately six-foot long yellow rat snake that is nonvenomous snake and typically found in the coastal areas of the United States. It is not prohibited under city bylaw. The yellow rat snake does not pose any public safety concern.

Since the owner of the snake is unknown, it is being temporarily kept at the shelter in Brampton.