ATLANTA, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Zoo has apologized to a couple who killed an escaped tiger rattlesnake on their porch after finding it 4 feet from their toddler son.

Guy Mower used a piece of lumber to hit the snake Saturday, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. He and his wife, Marie, said they did not realize at the time the snake was from the zoo, only learning of it a day later after searching for rattlesnake information online.

Zoo President Raymond King apologized to the Mowers and other Grant Park residents Tuesday.

"While I am disappointed and embarrassed by the incident, this event was highly uncharacteristic of Zoo Atlanta and its operations, animal care, communications and personnel," King wrote.

The zoo is evaluating its procedures, King said.

Marie Mower said she first spotted the snake when she followed her 2-year-old son, Pierce, to the porch. She and her husband said they would have called the zoo immediately if they had known the snake was an escapee.

"I didn't go looking to kill a snake," Mower said.

The snake disappeared Friday. Zoo officials said Sunday they believed it was still on the grounds, possibly hiding in a building.