A local woman attempted to exit a pet store with a boa constrictor hidden inside her pants to avoid paying for the animal.

Reports from the staff of the Preuss Animal House said that the woman had most probably grabbed the snake while the employee's back was turned, quickly stuffed it inside her pants and exited the store.

The store's surveillance cameras had reportedly recorded the woman grabbing the 20-inch baby snake, which cost 174.

The owner of the store admitted that the incident caused him great concern for the snake, and not the woman.

"I'm far less concerned for the person than the snake," Rick Preuss told the New York Post.

The incident was later resolved, however, when the woman returned to the store and gave the snake back.

"She brought it back right away and ran out the door before I could even get hold of any law enforcement," said Preuss, according to the UPI.

The pet store decided not to press any charges on the woman.