ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — When a king cobra escaped from Michael Kennedy’s west Orange County home in September, state wildlife officials took steps to strip his license to own the dangerous animal and dozens of others.
Kennedy says he followed the law when he reported the escape and is petitioning for a hearing with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to argue his case for keeping his license.
“I did immediately report (the escape),” he wrote in the petition.
PDF: Mike Kennedy's petition for a hearing
Kennedy also owns nearly two dozen snakes -- most of them poisonous -- a leopard, crocodiles and alligators.
The king cobra was found weeks later.
Some neighbors, like Angel Lalumondier, did not think the escape indicated a larger problem at Kennedy’s home, which is also called the Dragon Ranch.
“I think it was an accident and those kinds of things happen,” Lalumondier said.
Others weren’t as forgiving.
“(The Wildlife Commission) probably needs to take it up as a lesson learned,” neighbor Leon Lofgren said. “If they’re going to allow exotic animals in the area, they need to do a better job policing.”
Kennedy worries that if he is stripped of his license, others who legally own dangerous exotic animals will be hesitant about reporting any escapes.
“(The precedent would be) a very negative incentive for any other licensee to self-report if this ever happens again to someone else,” he said.
No date has been set for a state hearing to determine if Kennedy will be allowed to keep his license for the animals.
WFTV
