A dancer in India is facing a complaint after putting a snake’s head in his mouth and even biting its mouth during a performance in Greater Noida, India.
In a video from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) – India, also reported by one reliable media source, a performance is shown where a snake inside a sack is handed to the dancer.
Moments later, the dancer places the snake’s head in his mouth.
The snake is seen struggling, but the dancer even bites its lower jaw.
PETA condemned the dancer’s treatment of the snake and reached out to the Gautam Buddh Nagar Forest Division to rescue the animal.
“The best way to revere snakes is to leave them alone in their jungle homes. Using snakes in roadside shows is cruel, illegal, and disrespectful,” said Virendra Singh of PETA India.
The 10-foot snake was then released into the wild, and two dancers from the video were prosecuted for breaking India’s Wild Life Protection Act.
The charges are non-bailable and carry a maximum jail sentence of three to seven years.
The dancers did not offer a statement.