A large African python escaped from the Reptile Ocean exotic pet store in Campbellton, New Brunswick in Canada early Monday and killed two boys, aged five and seven years old. The children were found dead at 6:30 am.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police believed that the children were strangled by the reptile. They later confirmed that the snake is an African rock python that measures between 3.5 and 4.5 metres long and weighs approximately 45 kilogrammes.

Deputy Mayor Ian Comeau said that the snake escaped through the exotic pet store's ventilation system and found its way above the apartment where the two boys were having a sleepover.

"The city is shocked," he said.

The reptile has now been captured by the police. No charges have been laid yet against the exotic pet shop owner, who told CTV News that he had the python since 2001.

A post-mortem examination will be performed on the victims.

Before the tragic incident, an online petition to shut down Reptile Ocean has been gathering support from concerned citizens.

“The way his animals are treated is not right , And I will fight against them till something is done, Sick animals should not be around healthy ones. They should not even be up for adoption. I am disgusted by that place and will no longer step a feet (sic) in there ever again," according to a statement posted by the page administrator at thepetitionsite.com.

On the other hand, Reptile Ocean's description in Facebook reads: "Exotic pet store open to the public for purchase and viewing! wonderful animals. fun for everyone.”

On Saturday, the exotic pet store posted "sharing is caring" when one visitor commented, "You know what ISNT caring ... have your snakes escape and then kill some children."

New Brunswick has allowed a wider variety of exotic pets in their province in 2009. It became legal for pet stores to sell non-poisonous snakes up to three meters long.

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