Kingston has replaced its dog warden and he introduced himself this week – revealing he has already battled a wayward mastiff and a giant snake at work.

Stewart Toop, 33, originally from Southampton, already had more than three years’ experience with the RSPCA under his belt when he started.

He met south of the borough councillors at a meeting on Wednesday to talk about his work.

Mr Toop told the Comet: “I wanted to take care of animals and make sure they were looked after properly.”

He said one of his most memorable cases so far was when he encountered a fully-grown reticulated python in Surbiton.

He said: “I went to a house where the owner was not cleaning up after the dogs. He also had a python in his bedroom.

“He kept his door shut to stop his dogs from being eaten.”

Mr Toop has also tracked down the owner of a mastiff that had attacked other dogs, and is having it muzzled.

Kingston had been without a dog warden since last October, before Mr Toop was hired in January.

The job means dealing with stray animals, barking dogs, as well as finding the people who do not clean up after their pets.

The mess itself is cleared up by a different team of workers.

To report a stray dog, call 020 8547 5003.