GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — Police in Grand Prairie are asking residents to be especially careful as a search continues for a cobra that escaped its enclosure Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Grand Prairie Police Department, the snake’s owner, who lives on Cherry Street, reported his venomous West African banded cobra missing before 6:30 p.m. 

The snake is permitted by the State of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The owner, Animal Services and a snake apprehension professional searched for the snake through the night without success.

If you spot the snake, you are asked to call 911 immediately. Do not approach or attempt to apprehend it, police warn.

The Grand Prairie Fire Department has notified area hospitals of the snake and has initiated a protocol with Parkland Memorial Hospital to treat a bite from a cobra.