The Maumelle Animal Services arrived to retrieve the venomous snake, placing it into a tote bag and relocating it to a nearby river.

Animal Services Director Chris Davis told NBC News on Tuesday that officers initially received a report that the snake was a copperhead. But after they arrived, they determined it was actually a cottonmouth.

The Maumelle Animal Shelter took to Facebook following the incident, writing, “Before putting on your helmet, shoes, gloves, or any outdoor gear, always give it a quick check first. It only takes a few seconds and could prevent a very scary encounter”

The cotton mouth snake is the second most venomous snake in Arkansas and tends to prefer dark enclosed spaces.