Harrods department store hires security snake

LONDON (AFP) — A London department store went to great lengths to protect a luxury shoe collection -- with the help of a live cobra.

The slippery security guard was on duty for Monday's launch of exclusive footwear including a 62,000-pound (120,000-dollar) pair of ruby-, sapphire- and diamond-encrusted Rene Caovilla sandals.

Whether hiring a poisonous snake is, strictly speaking, the most effective means of guarding haute couture shoes might be a moot point with security experts.

But it makes for an effective photo opportunity.

A spokeswoman for Harrods admitted that the cobra had been hired strictly for Monday's launch.

"The snake has now been returned to its owner," she said.

So no need to fear snake bites at the shoe counter, then.

"Not unless you're a burglar."

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