On the launch day of shoes retailer Harrods in London, the shop hired a live Egyptian cobra 
to patrol the shoe counter so that it can guard those ruby- sapphire- and diamond-encrusted Rene Caovilla sandals worth 62,000 pound (US$120,000)! My very personal viewpoint, it is definitely the most effective way to deter those potential burglars.
Source: Cobra hired to guard 62,000 pound shoes @ Chinadaily