King cobra's owner cited for not immediately reporting escaped...

ORLANDO, Fla. — A man was cited Tuesday for failing to immediately report a missing king cobra that escaped from his custody, officials said.

Florida wildlife authorities have reduced the number of officers involved in the search for the king cobra that escaped from its Orlando home last week.

The non-native, venomous snake escaped from owner Mike Kennedy's home on the 4800 block of North Apopka Vineland Road, which is used as a rescue facility for exotic animals.

Kennedy was fined $366 after authorities said he admitted to waiting 24 hours to report the escape, but officials wouldn't tell Channel 9 whether his license to have the snakes would be taken away.

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It's not the first time one of Kennedy's king cobras has escaped. He's been cited six times in the past for violating rules, officials said.

"Coincidentally, he's lost snakes twice. His fault or not, when are we going to stop?" resident Judy Brown asked.

Kennedy's first king cobra escape happened in 2001.

He was cited in 2004 for improper caging of a rattlesnake and for unlicensed crocodiles.

In 2013 he was written up again for improper licensing.

"I think they could've done a lot more. I think they just passed the buck. I think they're friends with Mike Kennedy," one neighbor told Channel 9.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissioner Greg Workman said that multiple traps have been set with dead snakes as bait to lure the 8-foot venomous cobra out of hiding.

Workman said the cobra was fed in a similar way in captivity.

Clarcona Elementary School students are still not allowed to go outside during school hours.

Principal Robert Strenth sent out a recorded message to parents Tuesday, saying, "We will be conducting a thorough inspection of the grounds during the situation and we will remain in contact with FWC until the snake is found."

Officers said that Kennedy had returned from a two-day trip on Sept. 1, but didn't call FWC to report the missing snake until the next day.

Officials said they're worried that if they keep looking for the snake in the woods, the scent of humans will weaken the smell of the bait in the traps.

People living behind Dragon Ranch, where the cobra escaped from last week, said they are spending most of their days indoors.

"I have to take care of my yard, look and see what's going on," said resident Yag Balack.

"I won't even go in the backyard. I'm afraid to," said resident Joe Maxwell.

Workman said at least one patrol officer will regularly check the traps and the 5-acre property.

Wildlife officials said they hoped that scaling back the search would make the cobra feel more comfortable about coming out from its hiding spot.

Officials haven't said whether any of the other animals that live at Dragon Ranch will be seized.

Channel 9 has requested copies of Kennedy's most recent disaster plans and photos of his home inspection. Channel 9 has also asked if his other animals will be taken away following this latest incident, but wildlife officials have not responded.