ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — State records show the ranch where a king cobra escaped from is home to 35 wild animals.
Florida Fish and Wildlife is working to strip Michael Kennedy of most of his snakes, leaving many in the west Orange County neighborhood concerned.
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“My message for him is to get them out of here. This is not the place for it,” said resident Kara Kurtz.
Kurtz lives near Dragon Ranch in Ocoee.
“Always afraid because it’s so close to our backyard,” she said.
It’s where three deadly snakes have escaped since 2001.
Most recently, a king cobra slithered away last month and was found last week at a neighbor’s home.
“I think they should close down. I don’t want to have that close to my house,” said resident Lucis Usery.
Records from state wildlife officials show Kennedy is licenses to have more than just deadly snakes on his ranch.
He has 10 crocodiles, two alligators, a cougar, a leopard and 21 snakes. All but four of the snakes are venomous.
State wildlife officials plan to revoke Kennedy’s license owning venomous reptiles since they created a public threat.
But some said Kennedy should keep his pets as long as he follows the rules.
“They check everything thoroughly. I don’t see any problem with it,” said resident Loyal Slechta.
FWC has not heard back from Kennedy on whether he plans to fight to keep his venomous reptile license.
WFTV
